Anything that can be done to promote tourism on Vancouver Island should at least be considered, says Dave Willie.
The comments came at a recent Regional District of Nanaimo meeting, as directors debated a proposal to provide a bus to shuttle passengers on cruise ships on three dates in September.
In a report, transit operations manager Daniel Pearce suggested providing the bus in response to a request by the Nanaimo Port Authority on May 5, 15, 26 and 30, noting the Port Authority would pay all costs associated with the shuttle service.
City of Nanaimo director Bill Bestwick suggested rather than a revenue-neutral program, the district should consider generating some money from the service.
Colleague John Ruttan disagreed, noting cruise ship passengers not having to pay for bus service makes a big difference to tourism revenue.
Willie agreed.
Directors voted unanimously to approve the provision of buses on three of the four dates.