One of the new shuttle buses for Yosemite National Park is shown at a park bus stop, with Yosemite Falls in the background. NPS Photo
Yosemite National Park has added two new shuttle buses to the park’s fleet that serve over 3.7 million visitors each year. The free shuttle service in Yosemite Valley is expected to help reduce traffic congestion.
The two shuttle buses were added in August 2017. Visitors are encouraged to park their vehicles in a day-parking area, at their campground, or lodging and ride the park’s free shuttle to explore Yosemite Valley.
According to a park spokesperson, with the addition of these two new diesel-electric hybrid buses, Yosemite National Park now operates 27 shuttle buses that serve visitors in Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, and Glacier Point. These shuttle buses help alleviate traffic congestion throughout the park, cut down on fuel emissions, and provide visitors with easy transportation to popular destinations.
The park’s press release mentions that visitors utilizing the free shuttle bus can visit popular Yosemite Valley destinations, such as Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Village, and El Capitan. The shuttle service in Tuolumne Meadows provides access to the visitor center, Lembert Dome, and other popular trailheads. The shuttle bus to Glacier Point brings visitors to the iconic location, in which visitors can view Yosemite Valley, Vernal, Nevada, and Yosemite Falls.
The park’s shuttle fleet is operated by Yosemite Hospitality, Inc. (a subsidiary of Aramark), the park’s primary concessionaire. These new buses were manufactured by New Flyer in St. Cloud, MN. The buses are 40-feet long, fully accessible and accommodate up to 74 passengers. They are powered by a diesel-electric hybrid engine that is 50 percent more efficient than standard diesel engines.
“The shuttle bus system in Yosemite National Park provides visitors with easy access to popular destinations and alleviates the need to drive from one point to another throughout the park,” stated Acting Superintendent Chip Jenkins in the press release. “These shuttle buses are an essential component of our visitor services operation in Yosemite National Park. We are excited to add two new buses to the fleet.”
Yosemite National Park serves over 5 million visitors annually, including visitors who arrive by private tour bus, YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System – www.yarts.com), and in private vehicles.
