Shuttles to Yosemite Begin Charging Fares

The free trial period for new shuttles that take visitors from nearby towns into Yosemite National Park has ended, and the round trips now cost up to $20, depending on the town. Sample fares: $7 from El Portal; $15 from Merced; $20 adults, $10 children (12 or under) from Mammoth Lakes.

The shuttles, begun May 19 by the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System, are part of a plan to reduce private cars in the park. So far, about 1,000 to 1,200 people are using the shuttles each week--just a trickle of the more than 300,000 people a month who typically visit the park in May, officials said. About 90% to 95% arrive in private cars, they estimate.

The shuttles run year-round but with reduced frequency after Sept. 17. Once inside the park, visitors can hop a free shuttle that makes 14 stops. Telephone (877) 98YARTS, Internet https://www.yosemite.com/yarts.