2024 Bandelier shuttle service suspended starting Aug. 28, due to driver staffing shortages. Post file photo

BANDELIER News:

Atomic City Transit will suspend operations of the Bandelier National Monument shuttle service on Wednesday, Aug. 28 due to staffing shortages.

“We are saddened to learn that we will not be able to provide shuttle service to visitors for the remainder of the summer,” Bandelier Superintendent Patrick Suddath said. “We value our long-standing partnership with Atomic City Transit, and we fully support their decision to prioritize the safety of their drivers and the public in light of their staffing difficulties.”

A lack of qualified drivers plus the seven day a week operation of the Bandelier service has stretched the capabilities of their existing staff, according to a statement issued by Atomic City Transit.

Once the shuttle service ends on Aug. 28, visitors will be allowed to drive into Frijoles Canyon during the park’s open hours. Bandelier is open from dawn to dusk daily.

Parking in Frijoles Canyon is limited, however. It is common for parking lots to reach full capacity. When this happens, visitors are not permitted to enter, and are asked to return later in the day. It is recommended to arrive before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m. to avoid parking lot congestion.

“We encourage visitors to visit the many other attractions in the area when parking is full, including the Valles Caldera National Preserve, Manhattan Project National Historical Park or the many other museums and cultural attractions in Los Alamos and in the surrounding Pueblos,” Superintendent Suddath said.

Information on planning a visit to Bandelier is at www.nps.gov/band.