• Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Read Our Newspapers Online
    • Read the Latest Western Port News
    • Read the Latest Mornington News
    • Read the Latest Southern Peninsula News
    • Read the Latest Frankston Times
    • Read the Latest Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Click here to read
  • Click here to read
  • Battery given go ahead for grid connection
  • A big leap to overseas event
  • Big Al wows ’em, Strikers uproar
  • Felicia eyes off further black type
  • Edithvale-Aspendale get on the board, Stonecats impress
  • Alteration of subway plans for Frankston
Facebook Twitter
MPNEWSMPNEWS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
MPNEWSMPNEWS
Home»COVID-19»Bus operators need assistance to stay on road
COVID-19

Bus operators need assistance to stay on road

By Stephen TaylorJuly 20, 2020Updated:July 22, 2020No Comments2 Mins Read
Rough road ahead: Bus tour operators Bernie and Chris O’Shannessy fear for the future of their industry. Picture: Yanni
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
Rough road ahead: Bus tour operators Bernie and Chris O’Shannessy fear for the future of their industry. Picture: Yanni

A SIX-MONTH extension of the JobKeeper subsidy is “absolutely imperative for the survival of coach tour companies – a vital part of the Mornington Peninsula’s tourism industry”.

Chris O’Shannessy, of O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours, based at Rye, said the tourism industry was “not alone in bearing the brunt of the economic crisis this pandemic has caused. But I would say without a doubt it is, along with the hospitality industry, one of the hardest hit.

“Our two industries work hand in glove in support of each other.”

Mr O’Shannessy said coach touring brought visitors to small, out-of-the-way towns, provided revenue for hospitality businesses, and made holidays possible for those with physical or mobility issues, or who could no longer drive themselves.

“This is an entire industry that may close down completely, without a long term future strategy that includes ongoing support,” he said.

“Our future survival lies in the hands of our government.”

Mr O’Shannessy said his 35-year-old bus touring company was well known on the peninsula. The “mum-and-dad” company employs local people in the office, as well as tour directors from around the country.

“We completed over 100 tours last year and brought fun and joy to the lives of many Australians, particularly seniors.

“In March our operations were reduced dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our business has been in complete hibernation ever since.”

Mr O’Shannessy stressed he was “not whingeing”.

“We understand why it’s not pertinent to be on the road and we don’t expect to be so for a while, but we do need support for the longer term.”

First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 21 July 2020

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Post-lockdown help offer for families

March 15, 2022

Code brown for peninsula

January 24, 2022

COVID pain bad for businesses

January 10, 2022

Nippers event swept away by COVID

January 10, 2022
Add A Comment

Comments are closed.

Weather
May 27, 2022 - Fri
Mornington, Australia
12°C
overcast clouds
overcast clouds
2 m/s, W
76%
764.32 mmHg
fri05/27 sat05/28 sun05/29 mon05/30 tue05/31
overcast clouds
13/12°C
light rain
13/12°C
few clouds
13/12°C
moderate rain
10/10°C
light rain
9/9°C
Peninsula Essence Magazine

Click here to read

May 26, 2022
Peninsula Kids Magazine

Click here to read

May 26, 2022
Council Watch

Shire’s carbon neutral backflip

May 23, 2022

Shire offers $500,000 to performing arts

May 2, 2022
Elections 2022

Peta Murphy wins second term in Dunkley

May 23, 2022

Shire accused of being off track with pledges

May 17, 2022

Security takes precedence

May 17, 2022
Interview

Volunteers track koalas for science

May 2, 2022
Property of the Week

278 Dundas Street, Rye

May 11, 2022
100 Years Ago This Week

Alteration of subway plans for Frankston

May 23, 2022
Contact
Street: 63 Watt Road, Mornington, 3931
Mailing: PO Box 588, Hastings, 3915
Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
About

Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company.

MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News.

MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids.

Facebook Twitter
© 2022 Mornington Peninsula News Group.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.