Change, don’t stop, Yosemite buses

I was sorry to learn that YARTS buses will not be running between Fresno and Yosemite Valley during the winter. YARTS made the mistake of running four buses in the off season via Fish Camp and Wawona during a time of the year when there is low ridership. This took a big chunk out the bus system’s budget.

Yet we should not give up on winter service. Instead of running buses through Wawona, a more practical route would be from Fresno to Mariposa. One or more buses a day would leave Fresno and travel up Highway 41 to Oakhurst and then continue on Highway 49 to Mariposa to connect with the YARTS buses that run along Highway 140 between Merced and Yosemite. Passengers could change buses in Mariposa and continue their journey to Yosemite Valley on the Highway 140 line.

The Oakhurst to Mariposa connection would require less road travel. This would save on fuel, wear and tear and bus drivers would not have to put on chains as the Highway 49 route is usually below the snow line. They could also run smaller buses during the off-season.

This proposal should be given serious consideration.

This story was originally published August 22, 2016 at 12:30 PM with the headline "Change, don’t stop, Yosemite buses."