Daily Sun Stuff
Grand Canyon National Park has new funding to replace its aging bus fleet.
The funding comes from a $27.5 million grant from the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration announced earlier this week.
“The necessary replacement of our aging shuttle fleet provides an opportunity to upgrade to cleaner, quieter electric buses,” said Ed Keble, director of Grand Canyon National Park, in a statement. “This project will address the transportation challenges associated with maintaining aging fleets and NPS’ goal of achieving sustainable alternative transportation modes.”
The project involves installing 30 new buses, including 10 new battery-electric buses and 20 new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to replace the current aging fleet, as well as the installation of charging infrastructure to support the new electric buses. It contains.
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An estimated 6 million people visit the park each year, using the free shuttle buses to reach destinations within the Grand Canyon.
Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva applauded the move, saying the replacement of old buses is a step toward combating climate change.
“The $27.5 million grant from USDOT is the first significant investment to renew the Grand Canyon’s aging transportation infrastructure to make it more sustainable, and NPS’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. Support the Climate Action Plan: I support this federal fund to ensure accessible, efficient and clean connectivity for visitors around the world, and as we work towards a sustainable future, We will continue to support investments to strengthen the park’s infrastructure,” Grijalva said.
The grant to the Grand Canyon was one of seven grants totaling $130.5 million awarded by the Department of Transportation under FHWA’s Federal Land and Tribal Transportation Projects Program of National Significance.
“Grand Canyon National Park is one of our most beloved national parks,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “Made possible by President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure legislation, this grant will help ensure safe and reliable bus service for park visitors for decades to come.”
