The popular park's shuttle buses are intended to ease traffic and get people out of their cars. But critics say management and maintenance of the shuttle system leave much to be desired.

Kurtis Alexander reports on the current state of Yosemite National Park's shuttle service. "Yosemite’s shuttle system, which carries more than 3 million park visitors between such famous spots as Yosemite Falls, the Ahwahnee hotel and the Mist Trail each year, is at best an annoyance during the busy summer months. At worst, it’s a safety issue."
The shuttle service is run by Yosemite Hospitality, a concessionaire and subsidiary of the food service giant Aramark, writes Alexander. The buses in the fleet are older and prone to chronic maintenance issues, which means vehicles are regularly taken out of commission for repairs.
In addition, cutbacks on drivers and mechanics have resulted in too few buses available to handle the park’s rider demand. Drivers say the crowding on buses is unsafe, the vehicles are not being maintained properly, and many of the buses are operating with expired registrations.
"Over the past year, the overwhelmed shuttle system at Yosemite has caused shoving matches among vacationers clamoring for a ride and heated words between drivers and passengers. On one occasion, a handful of people were so fed up with buses whizzing by that they formed a human chain across the road to stop a coach," writes Alexander.
FULL STORY: A ride around Yosemite on troubled shuttle no longer the serene trip it used to be

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses
The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund
A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards
Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service