Tusayan shuttle extended

Because of its popularity, the park's pilot shuttle bus to Tusayan will be extended through Sunday, Sept. 28.

The route, which runs between Canyon View Information Plaza and several stops in Tusayan, was due to end last Monday.

As of Aug. 24, 62,000 riders had used the service, representing a reduction of more than 9,000 cars entering the park through the South Entrance Station.

Park analysts will study the data collected during the summer program and determine whether to operate the bus next summer.

Service between CVIP and Tusayan will continue to be provided daily from 8 a.m. through approximately 9 p.m. at 20-minute intervals. Designated shuttle bus stops in Tusayan include The National Geographic Visitor Center/IMAX Theater and RP's Stage Stop, Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn, Grand Canyon National Park Airport and Canyon Flight Trading Company.

Public parking is available in the vicinity of each of the designated stops.

This shuttle service is provided free of charge, however, visitors entering the park via shuttle bus need to purchase their entrance pass in advance.

The buses are all wheelchair-accessible and are equipped with bike racks.

For additional information regarding buses used in this program, contact the park at 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. 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."