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DOE News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2003

NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
Teri Ehresman, 208-526-7785, ehr@inel.gov

INEEL helps develop innovative shuttle bus

A modernized version of the traditional Yellowstone National Park tour bus has been developed as a low-emission, cost-effective community/transit shuttle bus of the future.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory is working with automotive industry leaders, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration, the National Park Service and private industry in developing the “new” yellow bus. The bus will be unveiled in Yellowstone National Park on Aug. 25 as part of the park’s centennial celebration of the Roosevelt Arch. This project supports DOE’s energy security and environmental missions.

While this modernized version of the traditional yellow bus retains the conventional feel of the older model park vehicles, the new version is a 18- to 32- passenger vehicle that uses alternative fuel, features a low floor and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The passenger area of the bus is built low to the ground so steps are not required for entry. It’s entry ramp can be extended to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs. The  bus also has a retractable roof to allow passengers greater visibility in the outdoors. Another optional feature is tracks for traveling over snow in winter.

This first bus is a model for Yellowstone National Park, says Kerry Klingler, INEEL project manager. After the Yellowstone unveiling, the bus will travel across the region to assess how it can be adapted to other transportation needs. Eventually, the vehicle is expected to be manufactured using several optional engines, to allow use of alternative fuels like natural gas, propane, ethanol and biodiesel.

Partners in the project with the INEEL include Heart International, Ruby Mountain, Yellowstone National Park/National Park Service, Greater Yellowstone/Teton Clean Cities Coalition, ASG Renaissance and Hadley Products. One purpose of the collaborative effort is protection of the park’s pristine environment, combined with a drive to increase national security by reducing dependence on foreign sources of energy.

"While the development of the prototype is the result of a need by the National Park Service for a year-round transit vehicle that could be used for park operations, market analysis indicates the vehicle will have broad application in municipal transit and private-sector transportation as well," says Klingler.

The vehicle will be on display following the 10:30 a.m. ceremony at the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park at Gardner, Mont. The bus will be in Livingston and Bozeman, Mont. on Aug. 26; Idaho Falls on Aug. 27 from 1:30-4 p.m. at the Museum of Idaho; Jackson, Wyo., on Aug. 28 from 4-6 p.m. at the START bus stop near the 4-H Building; and Cody, Wyo. on Aug. 29.

The INEEL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s missions in national security, energy security, environment and science. The INEEL is operated for the DOE by Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC.

Yellow Bus Fact Sheet:  03-ga50604-03.pdf
Yellow Bus Image:  yellow_bus_01.jpg

--INEEL-

03-055

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