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History of TourmobileSM Sightseeing
In 1967, the National Park Service issued a prospectus seeking
a concessions operation to provide low cost interpretive
shuttle services on the Federal Mall. Landmark Services,
Inc., a subsidiary of Universal Studios (MCA), Inc., competed
for the contract, was awarded the bid, and began providing
services on March 17, 1969.
During the first year of operation, TourmobileSM Sightseeing consisted of three trams and covered the area from Lincoln
Memorial
to the west front of the Capitol. In 1970 the service was
extended to provide an interpretive shuttle tour of the Arlington
National Cemetery. This type of service was requested by
the Department of the Army when the decision was made to
limit access to the Cemetery so that Cemetery officials could
conduct business more efficiently, while at the same time
serving visitors more effectively. In addition, the Mall
route was also expanded to include Capitol Hill, Union Station
and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
In June 1978, the tour to George Washington’s Mount
Vernon Estate was added using deluxe motor coaches and the
Tourmobile Sightseeing route was extended down the George
Washington Memorial Parkway through historic Old Town Alexandria.
On August 1, 1981, Tom Mack, TourmobileSM’s General Manager
since 1969, made arrangements to acquire the company from
Universal Studios, MCA Inc., making TourmobileSM, Inc. A locally
owned, Washington, D.C. corporation. Two years later, in
June of 1983, the contract with the National Park Service
was amended to provide, for the first time, a tour to Cedar
Hill, the Frederick Douglass Home, located in old Anacostia.
Over the past 20 years the shuttle tour concept
has been eagerly accepted by the public. Our fleet
now
includes approximately 42 vehicles and serves upwards of
2 million riders annually.
Our staff is comprised of nearly
300 seasonal narrators, drivers, ticket sellers, hosts and
hostesses called
Courtesy Captains. On an annual basis, we recruit
personnel for the Cherry Blossom, Easter & summer seasons.
TourmobileSM Sightseeing drivers operate a variety of gasoline powered,
automatic transmission vehicles, including an 85 passenger,
multi-axeled vehicle approximately 55 feet in length. In
addition to operating vehicles safely, Our drivers
are responsible for selling tickets to boarding passengers
and thus communicate directly with the public.
TourmobileSM Sighteeing narrators, ticket sellers, and
courtesy captains are the “Ambassadors of Washington,” serving
as the primary source of information to visitors. Outstanding
verbal communications skills and a very friendly, courteous
demeanor are required of all positions. Ticket sellers are
often the first to greet the customers, and combine the traits
of outstanding hospitality with mathematical aptitude and
superior financial transaction capabilities.
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