Grand Canyon National Park Updating Fleet of Shuttle Buses

The Grand Canyon National Park announced it would be awarded $27.5 million in federal funding to upgrade its fleet of shuttle buses.

According to The Associated Press, the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration revealed it would pay to replace the national park’s aging fleet of buses, including the addition of 30 new vehicles.

The shuttle bus system transports more than four million visitors annually across over 270 miles of paved and unpaved roads. Of the 30 new buses being added to the Grand Canyon park, 20 will run on compressed natural gas and 10 will be electric.

The National Park Service said charging stations would be installed and the new buses are expected to reduce pollution and ease the overcrowding of vehicles at the park.

“With this National Park Service grant that is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we’re helping to deliver safe, sustainable and reliable transportation investments that help families and visitors explore the Grand Canyon National Park and surrounding communities,” Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt said.

The federal funding was announced during a ceremony last week at the park, with officials from the Department of Transportation, Interior Department and surrounding communities attending the event.

In addition, the money is part of the Federal Highway Administration’s $130.5 million program to recognize transportation projects of national significance that serve federal and tribal lands.