How to Ride Yarts
Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) is a regularly scheduled, fixed route, public transit system that operates year-round in the Yosemite region.
Walk-on service is available on a first-come, first-served basis. To make your travel more convenient, YARTS offers reservations. Modifications may be delayed, please confirm your itinerary prior to booking your trip.
YARTS provides service to Yosemite National Park and gateway communities in comfortable, air-conditioned buses. Ride YARTS to avoid traffic and safely enjoy the scenery instead of watching the road. See the About YARTS page for more general information about the YARTS bus service.
Below you can find links to pages that address specific policies regarding the service.
policies
YARTS drivers will stop at all designated stops. YARTS travels on narrow roads and does not provide pick up anywhere other than designated stops. “REQ” stops must be scheduled in advance by making a reservation online at least 12 hours prior to the scheduled departure, or by calling 1-877-989-2787 and speaking with dispatch at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure.
If additional assistance is needed while boarding, please contact YARTS 48 hours prior to your boarding.
Drop off your car and travel free while getting around Yosemite. On the Hwy 140 route, extended free parking is available in various locations in Merced, such as Merced Transpo and the downtown district garage, which are within walking distance of the bus stops.
In Mariposa and Midpines, free Park & Ride facilities are available for day, overnight and multi-day uses.
Please click the links below to find out more about your parking options.
Bags are allowed on YARTS buses, including backpacks of any size. Larger bags may need to be stored in compartments under passenger seating.
Children under 2 years of age
- shall ride in a rear-facing car seat unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds
- OR is 40 or more inches tall.
- The child shall be secured in a manner that complies with the height and weight limits specified by the manufacturer of the car seat (California Vehicle Code Section 27360).
Children under the age of 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat.
Children who are 8 years of age OR have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height may be secured by a booster seat, but at a minimum must be secured by a safety belt (California Vehicle Code Section 27363).
Children under the age of 13 must travel with an adult.
Passengers who are 16 years of age and over are subject to California’s Mandatory Seat Belt law.
- Transportation of bicycles can not be guaranteed due to limited space.
- Bikes are allowed in the storage compartments under the bus, as space allows, on a first-come, first-served basis, but must be disassembled to be transported.
- Bikes are not allowed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
- Bikes can also be rented inside Yosemite National Park.
No pets are allowed to ride except for service animals which are allowed on all YARTS buses.
For information on Yosemite National Park’s pet policy, visit their pets page.
Accessibility
All YARTS buses are wheelchair accessible and equipped with wheelchair lifts. To ensure your accessible seat is available on the bus, please contact YARTS 48 hours prior to your boarding, or indicate while making your reservation that accessible seating is required. Doing so will ensure your trip is accommodated.
If additional assistance is needed while boarding, please contact YARTS 48 hours prior to your boarding.
Service animals are allowed on all YARTS buses but Yosemite National Park has it’s own rules. See Pets and Service Animals section for more.
