Tourmobile facts for kids
Robert G. Stanton and James M. Ridenour with Mr. Tom Mack and Ms. Phyllis Tate in 1989, celebrating 20 years of Tourmobile service.
|
|
| Industry | Tourism and transportation |
|---|---|
| Fate | Contract terminated by National Park Service |
| Headquarters | Washington DC |
|
Number of employees
|
130 (1996) |
Tourmobile was a special sightseeing company that helped people explore Washington D.C. for many years. It operated from 1969 until 2011, offering unique bus tours around famous landmarks.
Contents
What Was Tourmobile?
Tourmobile started as a small part of Universal Studios, Inc., with just three buses. Over time, it grew into its own independent company. It became very popular, carrying more than 700,000 passengers each year. A ticket cost about $32, and the company used a fleet of 45 distinctive buses.
How Tourmobile Tours Worked
One of the best things about Tourmobile was its "hop-on, hop-off" service. This meant that once you bought a ticket for the day, you could get on and off the buses as many times as you wanted. This allowed visitors to explore sites like the National Mall and Arlington National Cemetery at their own pace.
The "Monopoly" Controversy
For many years, Tourmobile had a special agreement that gave it a "monopoly" on guided tours in certain parts of Washington D.C. A monopoly means they were the only company allowed to offer these specific tours. This agreement prevented other transportation services, like the DC Circulator or Capital Bikeshare, from operating in these busy areas.
This special arrangement was quite controversial from the very beginning. The National Park Service, which manages many of D.C.'s famous sites, received about $330,000 each year from Tourmobile. However, many people felt it wasn't fair that other companies couldn't offer similar services.
End of an Era
The contract between Tourmobile and the National Park Service eventually ended. After 2011, Tourmobile stopped its operations. Other companies, such as Gray Line Worldwide and Open Top Sightseeing, then began offering tours of the National Mall.
Tourmobile's Special Buses
Tourmobile buses had a very recognizable look. They were designed specifically for sightseeing. The newest buses in their fleet were made in 1976, meaning they were quite old by the time the company stopped operating.
