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(Undated-AP) -- The clean-fuel shuttle bus at Zion National Park has been a great success. Park officials say it's reduced traffic and pollution in the park.
Managers at other parks around the country want to start similar systems, but they're not sure if the federal money is going to be available.
Zion National Park began its shuttle service to popular sites in 2000. It got a small chunk of the federal gas tax to pay for it.
But now it's not clear if Congress will be funding many new programs.
Spending on alternative transportation in parks has averaged just nine-point-five (M)million dollars annually the past four years. The Department of Transportation estimates that developing alternative transportation for overcrowded parks would cost one-point-five (B)billion dollars over the next 20 years.
Congress begins its session in just over a week.
(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
