been confirmed that the absurd figure of $14.00 per passenger is "in the ball park" of the exclusive contract consummated with the park company, one which will not expire until December 30, 1996. The exorbitant figure of $14.00 must exert a distinctly negative influence on group travel. Any factor which narrows the cost factor for group travel as contrasted with transportation by private car, must put a correspondingly negative pressure upon use of irreplaceable fossil fuel, a mission over which (prior to creation of the Federal Energy Office) the Interior Department ironically held exclusive jurisdiction along with parks management. I hope you will think it appropriate to request the Interior Department to discuss the rationale of its apparently contradictory positions in matters of this kind. And I hope you will be curious as I am to learn why Yellowstone, alone among national parks, should have so disparate a fee structure. Thank you for your consideration. WAYNE J. SMITH, MICHAUD, SALEM, MASs., May 9, 1974. Mr. ROBERT K. JONES, Travel Director, Yellowstone Park Company, DEAR MR. JONES: Why is it so expensive for people touring by motor coach to pass through Yellowstone National Park? It's about time for you to review your pricing policy concerning pre-arranged motor coach tours which operate one way through the Park and are actually staying no more than 5 or 6 hours. Your present policy, which dates back to the 50's, is not only discriminatory, but it actually forces many tour operators to consider alternate areas to visit, and to drop Yellowstone from their itineraries. Your policy is based on the assumption that, since there is so much to see and do at Yellowstone, anyone entering the Park will stay several days-GREAT IDEA— 20 years ago, however, it isn't always so today. This year, passengers on our tours will be paying almost $14.00 each for the privilege of passing through the Park, with your guide on board our bus (since we average 40 passengers, that's about $560.00 for 5 hours time, NOT BAD!) All of the other National Parks charge $.50 per person for the same privilege, with the exception of Glacier National Park. There, our passengers are charged a reasonable $6.75 per person for a tour, and the tour company supplies both guides and vehicles. Who do you think picks up the tab for the "tour" of Yellowstone? Don't make the mistake of believing that it is the tour operator! It is the passenger, the consumer (if you will), who has chosen to leave the automobile at home and vacation by motor coach. It is he/she who is penalized, not the motor coach tour operator, for we simply include your exhorbitant rate in our cost, and it is passed on. Not very fair, is it, when you consider that if the automobile were not left at home, he/she would only pay $.50! I urge you to review your policy! I urge you to consider the increasing number of people who are using motor coach tours as an alternate to the automobile, and who will not have the opportunity to visit Yellowstone because the tour operators will not submit to the HIGHWAY ROBBERY at YELLOWSTONE. Very truly yours, JAY MICHAUD, Executive Vice President. MCA INC., Universal City, Calif., December 14, 1973. Mr. WILLIAM S. BILLINGS, San Francisco, Calif. DEAR MR. BILLINGS: As you may know, MCA Inc., parent company of Universal Studios Tour, acquired the Yosemite Park & Curry Co., and is now the concessioner at Yosemite National Park. At this time, we share with you a concern over the energy problem and the attending reduction in the fuel supply. We believe that there will be an ever-increasing proclivity for people to participate in group activities and in so doing, to utilize charter bus transportation. But will the charter bus transportation be available to them? Already the major scheduled bus lines are strongly considering cancelling their charter services. Others are accepting no more charter business. We have great sales, advertising and publicity resources that we are anxious to put to work for the purpose of promoting group, rather than individual, travel. Will you help us help you by filling in the enclosed questionnaire and returning it as soon as possible in the self-addressed business reply envelope? I shall be in touch with you upon receipt of the completed forms. In the meantime, thank you for your time and cooperation. Sincerely, SUSAN LILJENWALL, Director of Sales, Outdoor Entertainment Division. APPENDIX 4.-ADDITIONAL DATA RELATING TO MARCH MEETING OF WESTERN SUPERINTENDENTS (Provided by the General Accounting Office) /The data in this appendix were provided to the OFFICIALS ATTENDING AT LEAST PART OF THE Page 1 Where travel costs could not be accurately determined, such as for attendees with multiple destinations, they were excluded. Where travel costs could not be accurately determined, such as for Concessioners Jeanne Adams, Ansel Adams Gallery, Yosemite N.P. Jack Audley, TWA Services, Inc., Death Valley N.M. and Grand Ted Babbitt, Babbitt Brothers Trading Co., Grand Canyon N.P. L. L. Caulum, Hospitality Service, Sequoia-Kings Canyon N.P. Edward C. Hardy, Yosemite Park and Curry Co., Yosemite N.P. 7. Don Hummel, Yosemite Park and Curry Co., Yosemite N.P. 8. Don Joseph, Harbor Carriers, Golden Gate N.R.A. 9. Paul G. McVay, Lake Mead Marine, Lake Mead N.R.A. 10. 11. 12. Harry Moorehouse, Babbitt Brothers Trading Co., Grand Canyon N.P. Carl Plunkett, Lake Mead Enterprises, Lake Mead N.R.A. 13. Geryl Smith, Lassen Volcanic National Park Co., Lassen Volcanic N.P. 14. Tony Lee Sparks, Fort Lee Co., Inc., Glenn Canyon N.R.A. 15. Nolan Stripling, Echo Bay Resort, Inc., Lake Mead N.R.A. Bob Van Amburg, Harbor Carriers, Golden Gate N.R.A. 16. Bill Turnage, Ansel Adams Gallery, Yosemite N.P. 17. 18. 19. George R. Wendt, Outdoor Adventure River Specialist, Grand Canyon N.P. Others 1. 2. 3. Eric Cronkhite, Administrator, Nevada State Parks Willian Penn Mott, Jr., Director, California Parks and Recreation 4. William Wood, Nevada State Parks 1 Where travel costs could not be accurately determined, such as for attendees with multiple destinations, they were excluded. |