Bus news from Denali National Park

Denali National Park is currently testing a hybrid bus that could replace the park’s fleet of 110 diesel-fueled buses. The 230-horsepower hybrid bus, painted white and sporting scenic views of Denali on its sides, went into service in the park last week. The hybrid buses run cleaner than the diesel vehicles, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40%, nitrogen oxide by up to 20% and particulate matter by up to 30%. The hybrids also are more economical, with diesel fuel in the Denali area currently priced at more than $5 a gallon. The quieter, more ecofriendly hybrids would also enhance the visitor experience. “Can you imagine the thrill of moving slowly and silently past a bear nursing its cub or a wolf hunting along the road?” said Elwood Lynn, assistant superintendent of operations for Denali.

The hybrid system, developed by Enova Systems, couples a diesel engine with an 80-kilowatt powertrain, incorporating a transmission, batteries and an electric motor. The system recovers kinetic energy during regenerative braking, charging the batteries while the bus is slowing down. This provides additional power for acceleration, making the hybrid buses ideal because of the frequent starting and stopping of the bus.

Higher gas prices are partly to blame for a 13% drop in visitors to the park so far this year. By June 30th, 143,514 visitors had entered the park, down from 164,324 during the same period last year. Camping reservations are down 17% and overnight stays at Healy are down 30%, a sign that independent travelers are driving less, at least partly in response to high gas prices, but perhaps also due to the wetter-than-usual summer. By comparison, tour bus ridership, composed primarily of cruise ship passengers, has remained steady.