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Planning for Transportation
GENERAL
Transportation arrangements for your Tremont experience are obviously very important. It is your responsibility to make these arrangements and to make sure that the drivers are aware of schedule times, road conditions, and anything else you expect of them during your stay. The sample bus letter below can be adapted for your specifi c trip and may help to clarify expectations with those who are providing your transportation. The bus services we have listed below know the Park and are generally reliable. Be clear with what you expect of them. Since transportation is so critical, a call to the company a day or so before you need them could eliminate some frustration. Park regulations do not allow buses to idle while parked.
EMERGENCY VEHICLE
You must have an emergency vehicle available at all times. It may be a personal vehicle, a rented vehicle, a school bus or van that stays here at Tremont. If you choose to use a chartered bus as your emergency vehicle, the driver must be available at any time. Emergency drivers and buses may stay in Townsend provided you are able to contact the driver 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency.
BUS SERVICE
Bus service for off-site trips is available through private bus companies. It is your responsibility to make travel arrangements for off-site trips, such as Cades Cove, Smoky Mountain high country or Little Greenbrier. If your group charters a bus, make sure the charter company and drivers are aware of your schedule, route, and expectations. Some charter companies will not allow their buses to travel to Cades Cove or across the mountains. Payment arrangements are to be made with the bus company directly, not through Tremont. For a current list of bus companies, please contact your Tremont coordinator. For all-day trips within the park, please arrange with the bus company to leave Tremont at 9:00 a.m. and return by 4:30 p.m.
Sample Bus Letter
Dear Bus Company:
We have selected your company because we trust that you can safely transport our children for our upcoming trip to
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont on (date). We want you to be aware of our needs and must know that you can
accomplish and abide by the following expectations. If you have concerns or cannot meet any of these expectations, please notify us immediately.
- It is a Park regulation that buses must shut off their engines while parked, loading, or unloading.
- The roads to Tremont are well-traveled and maintained. In case of snow, the road to Tremont is a high priority for snow removal and there should be little concern for getting from the park to the highway. Drivers should monitor road conditions by calling GSMNP at 865-436-1200 and advise the group if schedule changes need to be made.
- Park roads are narrow and winding. Our group needs drivers and vehicles capable and willing to transport them in the
conditions along this route as needed. The road to Newfound Gap involves a change in elevation from 1,400 feet at Tremont to over 5,000 feet, so weather differences are notable. The loop road at Cades Cove is an 11-mile one-way narrow winding road. In spite of the conditions mentioned, charter buses routinely travel these routes with no problems. - Drivers who do not stay on-site may be on call during the group’s stay at Tremont to transport the group as necessary.
Thank you for your help. We look forward to working with you.