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DOE News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2003

NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
Teri Ehresman, 208-526-7785 or cell 208-520-6252

A bus for all seasons

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A modernized vehicle aimed at providing transportation options in our national parks in all seasons was unveiled at a news conference today by a diverse group of public and private interests.

Led by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho),  Conrad Burns  (R-Mont.), Max Baucus (D-Mont.), and Paul Sarbanes (D-Maryland), the group debuted the "New Yellow Bus," which is designed to address winter and summer needs in Yellowstone National Park.  Interior Secretary Gail Norton also participated.

While this modernized version of the traditional park bus retains the conventional feel of the older model park vehicles, the new version is a 16- and (with an extended frame) up to 32- passenger vehicle designed to operate on a variety of clean low-emission alternative fuels that protect the environment; features a low floor access system that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act; and can be equipped with tracks for winter operation as a snow coach.

The bus is the product of a three-year collaborative effort between the U.S. government and private industry to develop a vehicle that meets park needs and can be used by transit, para-transit (riders needing assistance), shuttle bus and delivery fleet operators throughout the nation. The passenger area of the bus is built low to the ground so steps are not required for entry. The entry ramp can be extended to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs and with strollers without the need of an expensive wheel chair lift. The bus has an option for a retractable roof to allow passengers greater visibility in the outdoors.

In introducing the bus, Sen. Crapo noted that "the New Yellow Bus represents a 'real-world' example of how our national laboratory system can be used to provide new technologies and unique solutions in solving the problems facing our national parks." As the team leader for the project, the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) played a central role in assembling the partners and in identifying new technologies to be used on the vehicle.

Sen. Crapo noted, "the vehicle introduces a number of new innovative features and will be manufactured using several optional engines to allow use of domestically produced fuels such as compressed natural gas, propane, liquefied natural gas, ethanol, hythane (compressed natural gas and hydrogen) and biodiesel."

Sen. Burns of Montana added, "that vehicle represents not only an opportunity to introduce cutting-edge technologies and fuels to the park, but provides new economic opportunities for the citizens of the region, particularly the gateway communities." Burns emphasized his vision of expanded opportunities for innovative collaboration between the national parks and local tour and transportation providers, saying, "the sky is the limit - and it's a pretty 'big sky' in Montana."

Sen. Baucus of Montana added, "the Yellow Bus is a common-sense solution that has the potential to create jobs, promote our gateway communities, and protect existing recreational use in our parks. Folks at INEEL, the National Parks Conservation Association, and the snowmobile industry should be commended for coming together to develop a vehicle that will allow more people to see and enjoy our nation's national parks. This first-of-its-kind vehicle will be another way for folks to experience the many wonders our parks offer."

Sen. Sarbanes expressed his excitement over the vehicle. He believes the "New Yellow Bus" gave park transportation planners a valuable tool that would help them address park mobility, accessibility, and pollution issues in varied locations from New York's Gateway Parks to Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Everglades and Denali. "This bus is not only a tool for park planners, to solve their problems, it is a vehicle that people will want to ride, and that may just be the most important thing," Sarbanes observed.

Senators Crapo, Burns, Baucus and Sarbanes were joined at the news conference by representatives of the National Mobility Network representing handicapped interests; Clyde Seely representing tour operators; Paul Kiran, president of the National Parks Conservation Association; John Sacklin, representing Yellowstone National Park; Kerry Klingler of the INEEL; Dick Reif of Heart International; and Jon Lear of Ruby Mountain Inc. and the Greater Yellowstone/Teton Clean Cities Coalition.    

The bus -- available for purchase this fall -- will have its debut with the transit industry at the BusCon show in Las Vegas in October. Tracks will be added to the vehicle in December so it will be tested as a snow coach this winter in Yellowstone National Park.  The vehicle was designed and developed by Heart International. The unique chassis system will be produced by Heart/Android Automotive Manufacturing with final bus assembly by Thor Industry's Champion Bus Group. The bus uses a General Motors engine and is based on a GM 5500 chassis.

Partners in the project include the Department of Energy's Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, the Department of Interior's National Park Service and Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, the Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration, Heart International, Ruby Mountain Inc., Greater Yellowstone/Teton Clean Cities Coalition, ASG Renaissance and Hadley Products.

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