by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:35 AM ET, Mon July 10, 2023
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.
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