Historic Red Bus Rides Again in Glacier National Park

          New Clean Technology from Ford Motor Co. Returns Red Bus,
               Preserving National Park Heritage & Environment

    WASHINGTON, June 7 Secretary of the Interior Gale A.
Norton today announced the return of the newly refurbished, historic Red Bus
#98 to Glacier National Park, made possible through a unique public/private
partnership between the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation
and Ford Motor Company.

    "Two years ago, it seemed that age and mechanical fatigue had overtaken
the Red Buses.  Today, however, thanks to the commitment and clean technology
of Ford Motor Company, the Red Buses will ride again, thrilling visitors and
doing an even better job of protecting the environment," said Secretary Norton
at this morning's event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
 
    First introduced into Glacier National Park in 1936, the Red Bus fleet was
developed as part of a National Park Service effort to standardize passenger
transportation in the National Parks.  It is believed to be the oldest fleet
of passenger vehicles anywhere in the world, and carried generations of park
visitors along the steep and winding "Going to the Sun Road."  In 1999, after
more than six decades of service, the entire Red Bus fleet was retired because
of growing safety and environmental concerns associated with metal fatigue and
polluting engines.
    
     "Ford recognized that the Red Buses were an important part of the Glacier
experience, and we wanted to use technology to protect this valuable National
Park heritage," said Janet Mullins Grissom, Ford Motor Company's Vice
President for Washington Affairs. "We are committed to developing
transportation solutions that protect the environment and delight the public."

    On hand today to greet the refurbished bus was 86-year-old Dr. Robert
Wise, who was the first driver of Red Bus #98 when it entered service in 1936.
The Red Bus drivers became as much a part of park heritage as the buses
themselves.  Affectionately called "jammers" for all the gear jamming of the
old style manual transmissions required to navigate "Sun Road," they were the
Park's voice, educating visitors about park history, flora and fauna.

    The restoration of the Glacier Red Bus is just the first in a series of
innovative transportation alternatives to emerge from the public-private
partnership between the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation
and Ford Motor Company.  Working with National Park Service staff, Ford will
help address Park congestion issues with solutions such as alternative
transportation systems, advanced technologies and environmental education.

    "Ford Motor Company is truly our partner, bringing us both their
technological know- how and their deep love of America's National Parks," said
Jim Maddy, President of the National Park Foundation, the official non-profit
partner of the National Park Service.