Return of Historic 'Red Buses' Reinforces Montana's Glacier National Park As Truly Unique Vacation Experience

WASHINGTON and GLACIER, Mont., June 18 -- Tourists to Montana's Glacier National Park wanting to experience skirting the sheer cliffs and glacial summits across the Continental Divide once again don't have to worry about driving. They can relax while taking in the breathtaking scenery thanks to the return of the park's 33 newly refurbished, open air antique "Red Bus" touring sedans.

For local residents and visitors alike, the 66 year-old "Reds" are more than transportation -- they are symbols of America's heritage. Debuting in the 1930s, the elegant touring buses chugged across the Continental Divide, ferrying generations of spellbound sightseers through a landscape of heart- stopping splendor. For six decades until 1999, the classic fleet was a cherished park icon, part of the lore and lure of Glacier itself.

The announcement of the "Reds' " return was made at East Glacier Park Lodge near the park's east entrance in early June. Former drivers who served as tour guides, called "Jammers," from as far back as 1936 were on hand to welcome back their renovated icons. Jammers peppered their passengers with all manner of park trivia: identifying wildflowers, explaining park geology, sharing legends of the Blackfeet Indians, and even leading impromptu hikes to hidden waterfalls.

"There is no more representative symbol of Glacier National Park than these classic Red Buses," said Jim Maddy, president of the National Park Foundation. "To see them again rolling across the Continental Divide on the spectacular 'Going to the Sun' Road is a dream come true."

Ford Motor Company, the National Park Foundation and both the National Park Service and concessioner Glacier Park Inc. made the return on the elegant tour sedans possible. As a Proud Partner of America's National Parks, Ford completely renovated the Red Buses using its unique expertise in alternative fuels. The buses now run on cleaner-burning propane, with emissions 93 percent cleaner than those of the old buses.

In the 1930s, the National Park Service developed a program for touring sedans to provide transportation for visitors within national parks. More than 500 vehicles were used in various Western national parks, including Grand Canyon and Yellowstone.

While the unique tour bus experience was replaced elsewhere, unwavering affection from the community sustained the need to keep the buses in tip-top condition. In 1999, the Red Buses were forced into retirement.

In 2000, the National Park Foundation created the Proud Partners of America's National Parks program to enhance the National Park experience and increase awareness of how parks reflect the heritage of all Americans. The Red Buses became a project of one of its first partners, Ford Motor Company.

Sue Cischke, vice president, environmental and safety engineering for Ford, said, "This has truly been a labor of love on Ford's part. The level of detail in bringing these buses back has been astonishing, and the fact that we were able to use alternative fuel technology to make them run cleaner and quieter makes it even more satisfying."

Tourists interested make reservations for a Red Bus tour should call 406-892-2525. For more information on the program, visit http://www.nationalparks.org/proudpartner/ford/restoration/