For years, the
Ducks have been the featured open-air ride for
tourists here. Now a newcomer to the market is up and running, with the emphasis
being on the up.
Two-story loopers give visitors a complete look at the historic
town. “I thought it was great!” said Jessica James, a passenger on Thursday.
Under the name Branson Sightseeing and Tours, a fleet of new open-air buses is
making its debut. “You kind of get the feel of being in London but being in
Branson too,” said James.
The difference between these buses and the double-decker buses of London is
these buses only have upper levels. They hold 52 passengers and make 42 stops.
The rides offer panoramic views of all the sights. If you want an all-day pass,
it will cost you $25.
“We're really excited,” said Brian Karn, owner of a Conoco convenience store
where the fleet will park. Karn’s store will also be a stop along both routes of
the loopers. “There will be a bus stopping here every 20 minutes so you can
imagine what that's going to do for my business as far as Blimpies, sandwiches,
drinks, and all kinds of stuff like that,” he said.
For passengers like James, the most welcome aspect is being able to relax. “I
just like the fact that I don't have to drive and somebody else drives, and I
can see the lakes, theaters, shopping and downtown,” she said. “I liked it
all.”
The buses are called loopers because of their loop-like routes. There are two
of them: one around the city that takes roughly two hours and a sightseeing
route that takes about an hour and a half.