the bus stops here

“I just read this article in the June issue of Backpacker and can't believe that the park service is going to discontinue the bus shuttle on the South Rim Road and the "6,000 visitors a day will compete for the 2,500 parking spaces."

Seems the windshield tourists couldn't wait an extra 30 minutes by using the shuttles...they'd rather spend that 30 minutes in traffic trying to find a parking space! Meantime, pollution will continue to threaten the canyon...hey, isn't the park service's supposed to protect this resource. Oh, I see on page 18 that a np is "designated primarily to protect resources and recreation opportunities." You can see which one of these won out here..grrr...okay, I've had my rant for the day...”

“I read the same thing. I've been here as a tourist. Real beautiful. I would never go back until they made changes. Way too many people. I waited, took my time, meanwhile, people everywhere, rushing, cutting in front of.... just ruined the whole thing for me. Made me kinda sad 'cause it was like I was watching some experiment about social behavior in todays time period. Everyone needs to slow down, take it easy and quit stressing. I've been trying to do that for sometime now and outta all my male friends, I'm the only one without gray hair. I don't know if that is what it's from, but I really try to just take it easy and relax. You only go 'round once and I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can.....”

“Go there in late October! :-) That will help the situation, albeit in a not-really-too productive way.

However, like you guys, I, too, can't believe they went to all the expense and effort of setting up this new area on the South Rim to coordinate all the bus stuff (was about a week from implementation when we visited) and THEN not use it!!

I have a rant "the other way," too, however. (And I've ranted on it before...) Zion N'tl Park put some bus/shuttle things into use. I thought, "Oh, how great, ride along, look out the windows to see the views...... oh, it'll be GREAT!")

However, based on what I was expecting, the system -- well, the BUS -- stinks!! Couldn't you envision it being something with a lot of side windows and maybe a clear glass or plastic (perhaps tinted a bit for the sun) bubbledome pretty much over the whole top of the bus?? Kinda like the dome cars on Amtrak??!?

NO!!! Not at all, that is not what your National Park Service did. The sides of the buses have a series of smaller windows. The windows themselvse are in THREE SECTIONS, the edge of each marked with a strip of black plastic or rubber, maybe an inch and a half wide. Sure fun trying to see around THAT!! (and if they windows are open you'll have a litte wider and a little narrower portions of window to see through. I'm thinking the segments are maybe around 7-9" wide??)

And as to the top of the bus?? Small, square windows at spaced intervals. Did I mention they were SMALL??!?!? Just try looking up at the canyon rim. Good luck!!

I was very disappointed in what I saw at Zion. It seemed to work OK and all, but I sure think the buses could have been created more accommodating to the view. Also, as I recall (and think I've quit having nightmares about), the buses made weird noises all the time. It's hard to recall right now, but I'm thinking maybe a hydraulics type noise (cuz a bus will then have a trailer or two attached to it, which adds to this type of noise)

I'd visit Zion during the "off" part of year just to avoid the buses. We were there, again, in late October. I believe the bus shuttles quit in November??! Can't think when they start again? March or April? (Or have they been put into use year-round??)

Also, they need to build a walking trail pretty much the full length along the canyon floor to give people the option of getting off the bus and hiking a ways, and then getting back on.”

“lizs,

I understan where you are coming form. My experiances at Grand Canyan was in January 1996! It was terrible then and I can't imagine how it would be during peak time. The the Federal goverment, when dealing with these types of things, can always screw it up. People are appointed by the "Prez" and most of the time, don't know what they are doing. I think that maybe one way we could correct things is if we, the tax paying public, could vote these people in. That way, we could have more say/more votes. Make us feel like we are having an impact. People who are experianced, or at least care about the outdoors could run........
\
I don't know. There just must be a better way. Sick of all the cronies out there. Where are the outdoor cronies? Where is good 'ol Teddy Roosevelt when we need him????

Sorry, that was my rant for the day....”

“The reason they had to quit the bus thing was because it was totally screwed. I read that thing in Backpacker too and as usual their info was bum. I'm sure they will work it out and get the busses going.
It was screwed because they just did not use their noggins. For example, they designated the grocery store parking lot as a place to leave your vehicle. So....nobody could go to the store because the lot was full. A guy I know that works in the grocery said it took him a couple of hours to drive home because of the jams. That was at Thanksgiving.
They just closed off roads and parking before they were ready.
There is a new park superintendant that seeems to be a real down to earth practical kind of guy--I bet he solves it.”

“If they're the same shuttle buses as at Zion, they'll suck with their tiny windows.”

“Actually some of the busses are still running. What changed is you don't have to ride. The west rim has been closed to cars for years. I have ridden the shuttles many times. They stop frequently and let you off at any viewpoint you like and another bus comes by every 15 minutes or so. They go out as far as Hermit Trail. That part of the road is narrow and twisty and not safe at all for much traffic. I think they let you drive out there if you have a permit to hike and for a couple of months in the dead of winter. Anyway--they are fine and your viewing is done when you get off and walk around.”