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Yosemite National Park, located in eastern California, recently welcomed the first fleet of earth-friendly hybrid buses to operate in a U.S. National Park. The fleet replaced the parks traditional diesel buses, many of which were more than 20 years old. The initiative was launched by the National Park Service to decrease noise and emissions levels in Yosemite Valley. Each hybrid bus is propelled by dual electric motors, which reduce certain air-polluting emissions by up to 90 percent, while operating at sound levels comparable to that of passenger cars. In addition, the buses boast improved fuel economy and 50 percent better acceleration than conventional diesel buses. In all, 18 hybrid buses will operate year-round throughout Yosemite Valley and in the Mariposa Grove of Sequoias, transporting up to 1,050 passengers per hour, for 15 hours a day. Yosemite Valley ridership averages 17,800 passengers per day. Hybrid technology for the buses was supplied by General Motors (GM) Corp., Powertrain Div., based in Pontiac, MI. The buses were manufactured by Gillig Corp. of Hayward, CA. These GM hybrid-powered buses exemplify the National Park Services efforts to simultaneously provide un-paralleled visitor service while taking a leadership role in greening the environment through federal fleet and transportation efficiency, said Don Murphy, National Park Service deputy director.

General Motors Corp., Powertrain Div., Pontiac, MI.