GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. – A shuttle service that has been operating between the Grand Canyon's South Rim and neighboring Tusayan will be extended through Sept. 28.

The shuttle service was designed to ease traffic in one of the busiest spots along the South Rim.

Park Superintendent Steve Martin says more than 62,000 people have boarded the shuttles since the pilot program started on June 2, resulting in a reduction of more than 9,000 cars at the park's south entrance.

The program had been set to expire on Labor Day.

Martin says data collected through the pilot program will be analyzed and used to determine whether the federal government can operate the shuttles next summer.

The shuttles run every 20 minutes from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.