12/8/2009 2:38:00 PM National Park Service announces
Award of Contract to operate
Grand Canyon Visitor
Transportation System
Staff Report Grand Canyon News
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. - Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Steve Martin announced the award of a contract for the operation of Grand Canyon's South Rim visitor transportation system. The National Park Service underwent an open and competitive procurement process and received several competitive proposals for the opportunity from qualified companies. After an extensive evaluation process, Paul Revere Transportation, LLC was selected as the contractor.
Paul Revere Transportation is based in Boston, Massachusetts and specializes in fixed route public transportation. Besides operating numerous transportation systems in the Boston area, Paul Revere Transportation has also operated the Grand Canyon visitor transportation system since 2000 under the last two contract cycles. The new contract begins on Jan. 5. and includes a one-year base period followed by four one-year option periods.
Under the new contract, Paul Revere Transportation will operate Grand Canyon's shuttle bus system and maintain the park's fleet of 29 compressed natural gas fueled transit buses. The shuttle bus system operates year-round on multiple routes serving the South Rim Village. The visitor transportation system, which is currently a free service for visitors and residents, is funded with a portion of the entrance fee that visitors pay when they enter Grand Canyon National Park.
"Grand Canyon National Park's popular free shuttle bus system has been operating since 1974 and currently has more than 4.5 million annual boardings. With improvements called for as part of the recently completed Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Transportation Plan, the system will continue to adapt and grow improving system efficiency and visitor experience. We look forward to continuing a successful partnership with Paul Revere Transportation to provide this essential visitor service," Superintendent Steve Martin stated.
Among other changes, the Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Transportation Plan calls for bus stop improvements, improved routing and increased frequency on some shuttle bus routes to better meet the needs of visitors to Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim. The National Park Service prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the plan, and a Finding of No Significant Impact was signed May 27, 2008. For more information on the plan please visit http://www.nps.gov/grca/parkmgmt/trans.htm.
For questions or additional information on the award of the contract to operate Grand Canyon's South Rim shuttle system, please call Robin Martin, Concessions Specialist at (928) 638-7684 or Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer at (928) 638-7779.
