You are here

Home » Yellowstone Yellow Bus Update

Yellowstone Yellow Bus Update

Share

Published Date

April 27, 2006

    Kudos to reader Joel Scott for setting me straight on Yellowstone National Park's yellow buses. The good news is that none of the park's eight historic yellow buses have been chopped up and morphed into a hybrid of old and new. However, a final decision hasn't yet been made on exactly how those buses might be put back into operation in the park.
Yellowbus_copy_1    The yellow bus photo I ran the other day was actually a photo of one of the park's "new" yellow buses that can be used as a snowcoach in the winter time and an upscale yellow bus that can operate in the summer months on the roads.
    The current issue is how to get the historic buses back on the road.

    What's going on with the eight historic buses? Xanterra Parks and Resorts, Yellowstone's prime concessionaire, has wanted to have them refurbished much like the Red Jammer fleet in Glacier National Park was.
    Rick Hoeninghausen, Xanterra's marketing director in Yellowstone, says the plan was to spend about $1.8 million to take the bodies off the old buses, refurbish them, and place them on new chassis's and use environmentally friendly bio-diesel engines along with the latest safety equipment. However, some historic preservationists took exception to that plan, arguing that the restoration work should be historically accurate, something that wouldn't allow for the new chassis's and engines.
Glacjammerjoe_copy_1    For now Xanterra is waiting to hear back from the Park Service on how to proceed. That decision is expected soon. If the concessionaire's plan is OKed, the eight historic buses will be sent to the same Michigan company that restored Glacier's Red Jammers.
    "Our hope would be to have them in use next year," says Hoeninghausen.
    Yellowstone officials, who agree with Xanterra that any restoration work must enable the buses to meet current safety and legal requirements, are looking forward to their return.
    "We are looking forward to giving visitors an experience that they haven't had here in a long time," says park spokesman Al Nash. 

Support National Parks Traveler

Your support for the National Parks Traveler comes at a time when news organizations are finding it hard, if not impossible, to stay in business. Traveler's work is vital. For nearly two decades we've provided essential coverage of national parks and protected areas. With the Trump administration’s determination to downsize the federal government, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s approach to public lands focused on energy exploration, it’s clear the Traveler will have much to cover in the months and years ahead. We know of no other news organization that provides such broad coverage of national parks and protected areas on a daily basis. Your support is greatly appreciated.

 

EIN: 26-2378789

Support Essential Coverage of Essential Places

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

Your urgent support helps the National Parks Traveler increase awareness of the wonders and issues confronting national parks and protected areas.

Support Our Mission

INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

FREE for iPhones and Android phones.