GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration has announced the award of $27.5 million to the National Park Service  for the Grand Canyon National Park Shuttle Bus Fleet Replacement project in Arizona. The project includes 30 new buses, including 10 new battery electric buses and 20 new compressed natural gas buses, to replace the current aging fleet and the installation of charging infrastructure to support the new electric buses.

An estimated 6 million people visit the park each year and use the free shuttle buses to access destinations throughout the Grand Canyon.

Tusayan Mayor Clarinda Vail said, "I was honored to celebrate the grant award with Federal Highways Administrator  Shailen Bhatt and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Fish and Wildlife Matt Strickler and others. What is good for Grand Canyon National Park is good for Tusayan; and improvements to all things transportation is a step in the right direction for us all."

“Grand Canyon National Park is one of our most beloved national parks,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “This grant, made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help ensure safe and reliable bus service for park visitors for decades to come.”

Officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of the Interior, Grand Canyon National Park and surrounding communities participated in an event today at the Grand Canyon South Rim to announce the grant award.

“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,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “The new bus fleet will ensure millions of people can continue to visit the park and enjoy this natural wonder, while also providing climate-friendly connections to the regional transportation network and linking visitors and local residents to other destinations throughout the region.”

National Park Service Photo, Left to right: Tusayan Mayor Clarinda Vail, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Matt Strickler, Federal Highways Administrator Shailen Bhatt, and Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Ed Keable during the July 6 announcement at Hopi Point. 

“The Biden-Harris administration is taking an all-of-government approach to developing a clean energy economy where public lands play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Matt Strickler. “The Interior Department looks forward to continuing robust and collaborative partnerships with federal, local, Tribal and industry partners as we improve the park visitor experience and meet President Biden’s ambitious clean energy goals.”

“The necessary replacement of the outdated shuttle bus fleet is an opportunity to upgrade to cleaner, quieter electric buses,” said Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Ed Keable. “This project will address transportation challenges related to maintaining an aging fleet, and the NPS goal to achieve sustainable transportation alternatives.”