Nevada County is introducing a $2 shuttle service for the South Yuba River, a popular recreational spot in Northern California, in an effort to manage dangerous overcrowding and associated safety issues. The pilot program, running from the Fourth of July weekend through Labor Day, aims to alleviate years of traffic congestion, illegal parking, pedestrian accidents, and extreme crowding that plague the river.
The 14-passenger shuttles will operate on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., departing every 30 minutes from the Nevada City Government Center. Each ride costs $2, with electronic payment options available. Officials hope this service will curb dangerous roadside parking, improve access for emergency vehicles, and prevent visitors from walking along narrow highway shoulders.
"It creates a real safety hazard and limits emergency access for accidents and fires," said Nevada County Supervisor Sue Hoek. "We want to test and see what people think, what people do. Will it mitigate traffic and unsafe parking? Will it stop people from walking on a narrow shoulder with speeding cars going by? It’s a safety concern."
The South Yuba River attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually for swimming, floating, cliff jumping, and sunbathing. A 2024 county survey indicated that over half of the river’s visitors originate from the Bay Area. The new shuttle service is intended to ease congestion along the 39-mile river corridor.
This shuttle is the latest measure to address persistent problems linked to overcrowding, excessive partying, and unsafe behavior along the river. Authorities, including California State Parks, the California Highway Patrol, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, and local fire agencies, have intensified enforcement against alcohol consumption, illegal fires, and barbecues. Additional measures have included installing more no-parking signs, placing five emergency call boxes in areas with limited cell service, distributing free life jackets, and deploying "river ambassadors" to assist with litter cleanup and educate visitors on safe recreation practices.
Despite these efforts, officials note that the river's most popular swimming spots can still become chaotic. High water levels in some years have contributed to drownings and swift-water rescue incidents. Sgt. Ryan Randar, a peace officer supervisor with California State Parks’ Sierra District, stated, "There’s a definite draw here, and unfortunately, I think we’ve gone over what our parks can handle." He also noted that traffic and parking issues have led to conflicts between residents and visitors, including physical altercations and instances of pedestrians being struck by vehicles on the highway.
Drivers who park illegally face citations ranging from $162 to $321, with the possibility of their vehicles being towed and impounded. "Two dollars per person on the (shuttle) bus is nothing compared to getting a citation," Randar added. "Using that service will make this a safer place to recreate."
Officials mentioned that current lower-than-normal water levels have resulted in lighter crowds thus far this season, but visitation typically surges around the Fourth of July holiday.
