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No Tuolumne trailhead shuttle

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 8:18 pm
by markskor
Unlike past years, where there was a local TM trailhead shuttle...(ran every 20 minutes, made stops Olmsted Point to the Tuolumne Lodge), this year Aramark will not provide this service, paid or otherwise. :thumbsdown:

Re: No Tuolumne trailhead shuttle

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 11:07 pm
by wildhiker
What! I depend on that shuttle for backpacking trips. Where can we complain?

Re: No Tuolumne trailhead shuttle

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2018 3:16 pm
by Coolburn
According to Sharon Avant at Aramark, she believes the Tuolumne Shuttle bus is still running, and stopping at 12 spots. However, she was the second person I spoke with, and the first girl was not helpful at all.

Re: No Tuolumne trailhead shuttle

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2018 7:24 pm
by Coolburn
The Schedule is still listed in the Yosemite Guide for summer 2018, and on the NPS website.

Re: No Tuolumne trailhead shuttle

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 10:14 am
by Coolburn
markskor, WHat is your source?

Re: No Tuolumne trailhead shuttle

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 2:27 am
by gary c.
Coolburn wrote:markskor, WHat is your source?
Not sure that he still does but he was working in Tuolumne Meadows at one of the places that the bus should be stopping. Seems pretty reliable. ;)

Re: No Tuolumne trailhead shuttle

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 8:14 am
by Coolburn
Thanks GC,

We have a pretty active thread going on at https://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?17,92406. It sure seems that the bus is not running, even though the Yose NPS website, Aramark Yose Hospitality website, and employees at Aramark's tour reservation number state that it is still running. That lady even sent me a schedule. I've even called the regional National Parks director, and still have no reliable evidence that the shuttle is indeed running, or official word that it is not running.

Can anyone provide the definitive answer? It seems like such a simple question.

Re: No Tuolumne trailhead shuttle

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 12:49 pm
by Coolburn
The shuttle is NOT running this year. According to Tony, a Concession Management Specialist from Yosemite National Park, Aramark intended to run the shuttle this summer, but after posting the information, decided not to run the Tuolumne Shuttle in order to keep the drivers available for the valley routes. Tony was sympathetic to our frustrations, but had no solutions, other than for us to write the Superintendent and Yosemite Hospitality.

So it looks like thumbs out. If you see me on 8/16 between Tuolumne Meadows Lodge and Tenaya Lake, please pull over!

Re: No Tuolumne trailhead shuttle

Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 9:00 pm
by markskor
gary c. wrote:
Coolburn wrote:markskor, WHat is your source?
Not sure that he still does but he was working in Tuolumne Meadows at one of the places that the bus should be stopping. Seems pretty reliable. ;)
My source - Working a cash register at the TM store...live up there in an employee community behind the store...pretty much the center of the TM action.

All the buses are shot...big miles from years past...were used up long before Aramark took over.
Always eager to squeeze any available dollar out of any possible venue, last year they tried a few band-aid bus fixes and then tried charging $1 per stop...IE, six stops Sunrise TH from TM store = $6 bucks each person for the short ride.

Problems arose as the buses broke down daily, had no way to process credit cards (most hikers carry limited cash), bus drivers did not have the ability to make change, and many of the long-time bus drivers showed compassion and often were not charging riders. Aramark accused them of taking the money...a few old-timers said f--k it... quit. Now, this year, as the buses were not reliable/ still all-too-often break down, and nobody wanted these driver's jobs (and won't take the constant aggravation)...thus no local TM shuttles.

To add...There used to be a gas "fill-up" station for these buses near the stables...now gone. The local shuttle bus now had to make the trek to Crane Flat to refuel...adds an hour or so each day and Aramark will not allow/ pay any overtime, even if required time is needed to complete the route.

Re: No Tuolumne trailhead shuttle

Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2018 10:28 am
by Coolburn
Thanks.