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High hopes for hop-on shuttle
Richmond’s newest attraction isn’t a
location.
It’s a trolley and a bus that shuttles
tourists and Richmondites around the sites—from McArthurGlen Designer Outlet
Mall and River Rock Casino Resort and various downtown Richmond hotels—to the
Olympic Oval and all the delights Steveston has to offer.
Operating Wednesdays through Sundays from
June 1 until their last run Sept. 17, the Richmond Hop-On Hop-Off Attraction
Tour offers same-day discounts at many retailers and experiences along the
tour. True to its name, once purchased, the ticket allows for stops along the
route to tour, taste or experience along the way.
One couple on the June 7 tour, Gary and
Janice Kroeger from Peregian Springs, Australia had just checked into their
hotel after a 13-hour flight from their homeland.
“We had a few hours to kill and this looked
like an interesting way to go,” said Gary. They hopped on the tour at their
hotel, Pacific Gateway, and hopped off at the Olympic Oval planning to enjoy
the free Richmond Olympic Experience that came with their shuttle ticket.
As part of the journey, the bus driver
offered tidbits of Richmond for the touring passengers with great humour. In
Steveston, the driver said: “If you are stopping here, please do not feed the
sea lions. Please do not feed children to the sea lions,” referencing a recent
incident that went viral on the internet, making Steveston even more famous.
Just before hopping off the press tour,
Tourism Richmond’s Lesley Chang said of the shuttle: “This has been a long time
coming.”
Saying it offered a good way to connect tourists
with North and South Richmond, Chang said, “We hope to see it expand.”