New or expanded shuttles are planned

As more people try to squeeze more cars inside national park boundaries, some of the most popular parks are planning new or expanded shuttle systems similar to the successful one at Zion in Utah. Among park advocates, all eyes are on the huge transportation bill currently moving through Congress; many of these plans will live or die based on what the appropriators decide.

Here are a few of the things you may encounter now and on future national park vacations in the West:

Grand Canyon

What it has now: Between March and November, certain roads along the South Rim are closed to private vehicles. You can still drive to the developed areas at Grand Canyon Village, but you must take one of the free shuttle lines out to view spots along the roads to Hermits Rest, Yaki Point and Mather Point.

What it plans: A long-standing plan for a light rail system to bring people in from the gateway town of Tusayan, Ariz., to the South Rim got so far that some of the train stations have already been built. But sticker shock may have derailed that idea permanently, and now Congress is strongly encouraging planners to look instead at a shuttle bus system along the same route.

Yosemite

What it has now: The park operates a limited voluntary, free shuttle system in the heavily developed eastern third of Yosemite Valley, and just took delivery of a fleet of low-emission diesel-hybrid vehicles to replace its fleet of older city buses. A regionwide system, YARTS, provides alternative transportation between the park and local towns for a per-passenger fee.

What it plans: The park’s current master plan envisions a set of three satellite parking areas on its western edge, with Zionlike shuttle transport into Yosemite Valley. But stiff opposition from surrounding communities may scuttle that project.

Grand Teton

What it has now: There’s no public transportation system operating at the park.

What it plans: The Park Service is proposing a scheduled shuttle system between the town of Jackson, Wyo., and park headquarters and into major activity centers, including Jenny Lake, Colter Bay, Jackson Lake Lodge and Signal Mountain. Jackson not only supports the plan but has offered municipal space for shuttle facilities. The park’s master plan also proposes a network of bicycle and walking paths along major roadways.

Steve Hendrix, The Washington Post