Two tour companies will transport visitors from Denali National Park to Fairbanks next year by bus instead of rail car.
Princess Alaska Tours and Holland America say a two-hour bus ride instead of a four-hour Alaska Railroad trip will give tourists more time in Fairbanks and add flexibility to schedules.
Princess and Holland America have been partners since 2003.
The railroad projects no revenue loss from the change. Spokesman Tim Sullivan tells the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner that some visitors will choose rail cars over the bus at a higher fare than what the railroad would take in from tour company cars.
The tour companies also say they will fly visitors from Fairbanks to Dawson City rather than bus them to avoid the day-long journey over the Taylor Highway.