The History of Tourmobile 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, Tourmobile consisted of three trams and covered the area from the 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 home, Mount Vernon, was added using deluxe motor coaches and the Tourmobile route was extended down the George Washington Memorial Parkway through historic Old Town Alexandria.

On August 1, 1981, Tom Mack, Tourmobile's General Manager from 1969 to 1982, made arrangements to acquire the Company from Universal Studios, MCA Inc., making Tourmobile 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 Douglas Home, located in old Anacostia.

Over the past 38 years the public has eagerly accepted the shuttle tour concept. The Tourmobile fleet now includes approximately 42 vehicles and serves upwards of 1 million riders annually.

Tourmobile staff is comprised of nearly 200 seasonal narrators, drivers, tickets sellers, hosts, and hostesses. On an annual basis, Tourmobile recruits personnel for the Cherry Blossom-Easter and summer seasons. Tourmobile drivers operate a variety of gasoline-powered, automatic transmission vehicles, including an 85-passenger multi-axle vehicle approximately 55" in length. In addition to operating the vehicles safely, Tourmobile drivers are responsible for selling tickets to boarding passengers and thus deal constantly with the public.

Tourmobile Narrators, Ticket Sellers, Customer Service Representatives, 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 cash-handling abilities.