Montana’s two U.S. senators, Democrats Jon Tester and Max Baucus, celebrated the National Park Service’s announcement this week that Glacier’s fleet of historic Red Buses would be saved.
The 33 buses have served inside Glacier National Park since the late 1930s and have become an iconic symbol of the region. This year, the park’s concessionary contract is going up for bid and part of the deal would have required the winning contractor to restore 15 of the buses by 2025 and replace the remaining 18 by 2029. The park service stepped back from that decision on Wednesday, announcing they planned to keep the entire fleet intact.
“The jammers have provided rides to park-goers for decades and are an iconic part of the Glacier experience,” Tester wrote in a statement on Thursday. “Montanans made their voices heard, and now more folks will continue to enjoy the beauty of Going-to-the-Sun Road through the windows and open roofs of the famous red buses.”
Baucus also released a statement on Thursday, saying the decision to save the buses is one that will help Montana’s economy and area tourism.
“We can all celebrate the news that the red buses will continue to ride through Glacier Park for years to come,” the senator said.