National Park Service to extend pilot shuttle bus program between Grand Canyon National Park and neighboring town of Tusayan
Source: Grand Canyon National Park
Aug 30, 2008 - 5:24:54 PM
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Grand Canyon, Ariz. – Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Steve Martin announced today that the National Park Service (NPS) will extend the pilot shuttle bus program between Canyon View Information Plaza (CVIP), on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, and the neighboring town of Tusayan through Sunday, September 28, 2008. The pilot shuttle bus program was initiated on June 2, 2008 and was originally scheduled through September 1, 2008 (Labor Day weekend). The program was designed to test the feasibility and evaluate the effectiveness of providing this service in the future. As of August 24, 2008, over 62,000 riders had boarded shuttles between Tusayan and CVIP, representing a reduction of more than 9,000 cars entering the park via the South Entrance. Data collected during this initial period of operation will be analyzed and used to determine whether the NPS can operate the pilot shuttle bus program during the summer season of 2009.
Service between CVIP and Tusayan will continue to be provided daily from 8:00 a.m. through approximately 9:00 p.m. at 20 minute intervals, through September 28. Designated shuttle bus stops in Tusayan include: The National Geographic Visitor Center/IMAX Theater and RP’s Stage Stop (IMAX/RP’s), Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn (Squire Inn), Grand Canyon National Park Airport (Airport) and Canyon Flight Trading Company (Canyon Flight). Public parking is available in the vicinity of each of the designated stops.
Those taking advantage of this voluntary service by parking in Tusayan and riding the shuttle bus into Grand Canyon National Park’s south entrance have expedited entry into the park and are able to connect with the park’s free shuttle bus system at CVIP. This shuttle service is provided free of charge, however, visitors entering the park via shuttle bus need to purchase their entrance pass in advance. Entrance passes can be purchased at most of the hotels in Tusayan, including Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn, The Grand, Grand Canyon Red Feather Lodge, and The Quality Inn. Entrance passes can also be purchased at IMAX, RP’s Stage Stop, Canyon Flight Trading Company and Grand Canyon National Park Airport – Grand Canyon Airlines. Entrance passes purchased at these locations are valid for private vehicle or shuttle bus entry for seven days and are accepted at any of Grand Canyon National Park’s entrance stations. Those holding a valid America the Beautiful National Park and Federal Recreation Lands Pass or other valid pass do not need to purchase an additional entrance pass. For more information on the America the Beautiful pass please visit www.recreation.gov .
Informational signs regarding the pilot program and designated parking locations are posted along highway 64 south of Tusayan, as well as at various locations in Tusayan.
Buses are easily identifiable and fueled with clean burning compressed natural gas. The buses are all wheelchair accessible and are equipped with bike racks. For additional information regarding buses used in this program, please contact the park at 928-638-7888.
Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Steve Martin said, “The pilot program has been hugely successful. Most of the shuttle buses coming into the park are full and visitors seem to enjoy the ease of using the system. We owe much of the success of this program to our Tusayan neighbors who provided, at their cost, parking facilities for those utilizing the shuttle buses.” Martin added, “We are happy to be able to extend the pilot program into late September and hope to be able to provide this service again next summer.” Information regarding the park’s other shuttle bus routes which run throughout the South Rim area, including shuttle bus stops and parking locations, routes and schedules, is available in The Guide, a free publication offered by the NPS.
For more information about visiting Grand Canyon National Park, please visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/grca or call 928-638-7888.
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