New Plymouth Waterlinks Identity strengthens city’s transport offer

Plymouth’s water taxi operators have united to launch a new marketing campaign for the ferry service transport connections across the Waterfront Business Improvement District (BID) area.

Plymouth Waterlinks is a new identity created to promote the pedestrian ferry routes and harbour cruises within Britain’s Ocean City, and takes in the primary destinations of Mount Batten, the Barbican, Royal William Yard, Cremyll and Cawsand.

A close partnership has been forged between the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership BID and the four water taxi operators, including the Cawsand Ferry, the Cremyll Ferry, the Mount Batten Ferry and the Royal William Yard Waterbus. This partnership has delivered a new approach to colour code the routes to make it easier for visitors to understand the connections, a new visual identity rolled out across the fleet and crew uniforms, a unified leaflet and enhanced digital media.

Sarah Gibson, Waterfront Manager said “The Plymouth Waterfront Partnership BID pledged to seek improved waterbus coordination and promotion to improve connectivity across the Waterfront area, so we have worked with the four ferry operators for the past fourteen months to create this unified offer.

All of the ideas have been shaped by the operators themselves, each have fully engaged their Waterfront BID and levered benefits for their businesses. We’re extremely pleased with the outcome which will now feature at the heart of the city’s marketing.”

Derek Smith, harbourmaster within the Royal William Yard and owner of the red RWY Waterbus said “We’ve been operating a seasonal service between the Royal William Yard and the Barbican for several years, however it’s surprising how many local residents are still not aware of the ferry route. It’s vital the city assists in promoting the ferry routes across the Waterfront and through the Waterfront BID we’ve been able to enhance marketing materials.”

Operating the Mount Batten route linking with the Barbican, Dan Stevens has been keen to engage with the wider Waterfront and said “The yellow Mount Batten ferry is a well recognised boat and a great commuter service, linking the fantastic history and gorgeous views on both sides of the Cattewater. We’re hopeful this partnership approach with the other operators will increase pedestrian traffic across the entire ferry fleet and encourage more people to leave their car at home occasionally to enjoy a little time on the water.”

Jean Knight, owner operator of the Cremyll Ferry service was proud to add “Today’s Cremyll Ferry operates on the route of a long established ferry service, a one thousand year old route that links Devon and Cornwall. It’s extremely popular with holiday-makers who walk The Waterfront Walkway, Plymouth’s share of the South West Coast Path, and links easily with pedestrian, cycle, bus and ferry routes across the Waterfront.”

Links with Cornwall provide a lovely offer for local residents and visitors alike. In season the Cawsand Ferry offers an idea for a day out, linking with the Cremyll Ferry, passengers can enjoy a scenic walk through Mount Edgcumbe Country Park and return from Cawsand to Plymouth’s Barbican area.

Ben Squire of Plymouth Boat Trips runs the Cawsand Ferry and Sound & Tamar Cruising and said “The water taxis and river boats add something extra special to Plymouth’s Waterfront experience, it’s fantastic getting out on the water and seeing the city from the Sound. Ferries provide vibrancy and attract thousands of coach tour travellers every year which helps showcase the best of the city with extensive views from the water.”

Private boat charters are also provided by Silverline Cruises and Plymouth Boat Trips and these have also been considered within the next Plymouth Waterlinks promotion.

The Plymouth Waterlinks partnership is keen to progress joint work around signage and tickets and hope to make further announcements later this year.

The new Plymouth Waterlinks leaflet is available from the Tourist Information Centre in the Barbican or may be downloaded from www.visitplymouth.co.uk.