Revamped contract favors red buses

Glacier National Park officials have modified contract requirements for the park’s main concessions contract.

The changes in the prospectus largely revolve around maintaining the park’s iconic red bus fleet.

The revamped prospectus requires the selected concessioner to rehabilitate the red bus fleet to maintain the buses in a “roadworthy and safe condition for road-based tours and ensure a fleet of 33 red buses.”

The 1930s-vintage White Motor Co. coaches will need to be inspected every five years and the concessioner will be required to put money into a “Red Bus Rehabilitation Reserve,” according to a news release from Glacier Park.

The reserve funding will be dedicated to the perpetual care of the bus fleet.

The modified contract terms followed a public outcry earlier this year when initial contract language required rehabilitation of fewer than half of the 33 historic buses.

“We believe the modifications to the prospectus clearly define our intent to maintain the iconic red bus fleet at Glacier National Park,” acting park Superintendent Kym Hall said. “We want visitors to have the opportunity to enjoy the traditional experience of the red buses for years to come.”

The contract change was welcomed by red bus supporters such as Bruce Austin of Nye.

“Happily, we find that the modifications to the concession documents greatly exceed our expectations to preserve Glacier’s beloved red buses during the coming contract and into the distant future,” Nye wrote in a letter co-signed by Leroy Lott of Garland, Texas, and Ray Djuff of Calgary.

“With this strategy adopted by the Park Service, we can reasonably expect to enjoy these 1930s vintage red buses for many decades— perhaps another 77 years!” Austen concluded.

The deadline for submitting a proposal for the concession contract to provide lodging, food and beverage, retail and other visitor services at Glacier National Park has been extended to April 2.

The current concession contract held by Glacier Park Inc. since 1981 will expire Dec. 31.

The new 16-year concession contract is anticipated to take effect January 1, 2014. 

The contract is for seasonal concession operations at five lodging locations, 10 food and beverage locations, eight retail locations, road-based tours and transportation-related operations, and other services in Glacier Park.   

For more information, visit the National Park Service’s Commercial Services website at http://www.concessions.nps.gov/prospectuses.htm.