ST. GEORGE — Zion National Park’s 90 millionth shuttle bus rider comes as the soundscape of the canyon is quieting down and the park is beginning to transition to electric shuttle buses.
“Recording our 90 millionth boarding is a signifier of the Zion Canyon Shuttle System’s everyday success,” park spokesman Jonathan Shafer told St. George News. “This year, we plan to put the first of an entirely new fleet of electric shuttle buses into service.
“These new vehicles will build on the system’s success by, among other things, continuing to transport millions of visitors while simultaneously reducing Zion Canyon Shuttle System tailpipe emissions and conserving the soundscape of Zion Canyon.”
Beginning this fall, the park service will begin to phase out the propane-powered fleet and replace them with electric shuttles on the Springdale line. Additional electric buses will be added to the Zion Canyon Line in 2024.
Shafer said Zion National Park received a $33 million grant in 2021 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to begin replacing its aging shuttle bus fleet with new battery-electric buses.
He attributed the shuttle program’s success to a joint effort between partners like Zion Forever, the National Park Foundation, U.S. Department of Transportation, Utah Department of Transportation, Utah Clean Cities, the town of Springdale and Washington, Kane and Iron county leadership.
The fleet replacement project will combine funding through USDOT’s Nationally Significant Lands and the Native American Tribal Program with contributions from the National Park Service, Iron and Washington counties and the Zion National Park Forever Project, the park’s official nonprofit partner.
“These partners have also been vital as we’ve prepared for the system’s future. This year, we plan to put the first of an entirely new fleet of electric shuttle buses into service,” Shafer said. “These new vehicles will build on the system’s success by, among other things, continuing to transport millions of visitors while simultaneously reducing Zion Canyon Shuttle System tailpipe emissions and conserving the soundscape of Zion Canyon.”
Natalie Britt, president and CEO of Zion National Park Forever Project, expressed excitement about the new shuttles’ ability to reduce vehicle emissions and improve safety in the Park.
“Zion National Park’s shuttle system is an iconic part of the Zion Experience,” Britt said in an email to St. George News. “The shuttles reduce vehicle emissions, improve safety and have transported millions into the park.
“Zion Forever Project was honored to donate the funding for early feasibility studies that eventually led to the shuttle systems creation, and now, as we celebrate 90 million rides, we are even more excited to support efforts from the U.S. Department of Transportation granting $33 million in support of a new all-electric shuttle fleet which is rapidly becoming a reality.”
The shuttle buses began service in the park in 2000 and operate during the spring to winter seasons.
According to a news release, since the shuttle system began running, the number of visits recorded at Zion National Park has increased from about 2.4 million in 2000 to a record 5 million in 2021. Officials said the number of visitors consistently exceeded those recorded before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jeff Bradybaugh, Zion National Park superintendent, said the park is making other improvements that will sustain the system’s success into the future.
“The Zion Canyon Shuttle System has been essential in our work conserving this special place so that visitors can enjoy it forever,” Bradybaugh said in the news release. “In 2000, this was a significant change in how we addressed increasing visitation in Zion Canyon. This milestone demonstrates how successful its operation has been. I am thankful to the women and men who operate our shuttle system, providing safe and efficient transportation to thousands of park visitors every day.”
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