Residents living in Merced and Mariposa Counties are now eligible to receive free passes to visit Yosemite National Park on YARTS. 

The Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) is distributing free, round-trip passes to local residents in honor of National Park Week. The passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may be used on any one day between April 20 through April 27 of this year. 

“We are excited to be able to invite local residents onto YARTS so that they can experience the wonder of this world-renowned National Park right in their ‘backyard’,” said Serenity Anderson, Transit Director for YARTS. “It’s always surprising to me how many people in our gateway communities have never been to Yosemite and offering programs like this can give that opportunity to those who may not otherwise be able to get there.” 

The Low Carbon Transit Operations Program - special state funding administered by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) - provides the support for the free YARTS passes. Individuals aged 13 and over can apply for the passes on the YARTS website. Upon verification of residency, a code will be issued to use to reserve a trip via the online ticketing system. 

Trips may be booked on any YARTS run during National Park Week until capacity is reached on the coach. Additional program details are also available on the YARTS website. 

All YARTS buses are equipped with lavatories and both undercarriage and overhead storage for personal items. Children under five are always free and each child between the ages of 6 and 12 years-old rides free if accompanied by a full-fare paying adult or an adult with an LCTOP pass. 

For more information about YARTS schedules, fares, routes, to reserve tickets, visit www.yarts.com or call (877) 989-2787.