YARTS bus in Yosemite National Park
Credit: YARTS
October 4, 2021 - MERCED – The Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) has transitioned to its winter schedule for the service running from Merced and Mariposa to Yosemite National Park. The Highway 140 service operates year-round but changes the number of runs to and from the Park at the end of the summer season.
YARTS routes into Yosemite that originate in Sonora, Fresno, and Mammoth Lakes are seasonal in nature and operate only in the summer months. The Sonora and Fresno lines have concluded their 2021 service and the Mammoth Lakes line will wind down on October 15, 2021.
“Local residents who have never taken YARTS to Yosemite probably don’t know that winter is often the best time to use the service,” said Christine Chavez, Transit Manager. “The Park is quieter, and you avoid the hassle of driving in inclement weather.”
The YARTS 2021 summer service saw a significant rebound in the number of passengers using the service as compared to the abbreviated 2020 season which was cut short by the temporary closure of Yosemite at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 summer season saw an increase in ridership over last year as the service experienced an increased interest from passengers who were looking to get into Yosemite without having to obtain a day-use reservation from the National Park Service. And YARTS was also able to limit the capacity restrictions on its vehicles that had been previously in place as a result of the pandemic.
Reservations for tickets during the winter season can be made on the YARTS website at: www.yarts.com. There are no additional charges to get into Yosemite beyond the YARTS fare. Merced and Mariposa County residents are still eligible to receive free round-trip passes. For more information about YARTS free passes, schedules, routes, COVID-19 safety measures, or to book tickets, please visit www.yarts.com or call (877) 989-2787.
YARTS is a California Joint Powers Authority comprised of Merced, Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Mono Counties in partnership with Caltrans, Federal Highway Administration, National Park Service and the United States Forest Service. The Merced County Association of Governments provides administrative services and operational support for YARTS.
Source: YARTS
