Tourmobile facts for kids
Robert G. Stanton, National Capital Region, James M. Ridenour, Director, NPS, Mr. Tom Mack and Ms. Phyllis Tate in 1989. At the 20th Anniversary of the Tourmobile service in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
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| Industry | Tourism and transportation |
|---|---|
| Fate | Contract terminated by National Park Service |
| Headquarters | Washington DC |
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Number of employees
|
130 (1996) |
Tourmobile was a special bus company in Washington, D.C.. It offered sightseeing tours from 1969 until 2011. The company started small with just three buses. It was first part of Universal Studios.
Over time, Tourmobile grew into its own company. It carried over 700,000 passengers each year. A ticket cost $32, and the company had 45 vehicles. Passengers could get on and off the buses as much as they wanted. This was great for exploring the city.
Tourmobile had a special agreement. It was the only company allowed to give guided tours. These tours were in popular spots like the National Mall and Arlington National Cemetery. This meant other groups, like DC Circulator or Capital Bikeshare, could not offer similar tours there.
This special agreement was a topic of discussion. The National Park Service received about $330,000 each year from Tourmobile. After Tourmobile's agreement ended, other companies started offering tours. These included Gray Line Worldwide and Open Top Sightseeing. Tourmobile buses had a unique look. The newest buses were made in 1976.
