My opinion after more than fifty years camping in NPS parks ... A general statement of my experiences in parks AFTER private concessionaires take over would include less care, less maintenance, higher cost, added fees, and general rudeness of staff.
In my opinion again, NO private corporation should be allowed to make money on the backs of taxpayers, which is exactly what happens when a private corporation takes over. Taxpayers supply the land, ecosystem protection, fire protection, built the parks and campgrounds, built and maintain the roads.
Our best position, if data - often manipulated - suggests concessionaires can or might do a reasonable job running our camps, then HIRE that company for a straight fee, like we do road-building and other federal projects, and keep the profit margins above that fee IN THE PARKS for upkeep and upgrades.
Despite the fact that some individuals believe discounts should disappear, veterans earned a little compensation for protecting our country. Seniors built the parks over a lifetime of taxes. Disabled deserve a little compassion.
But regardless, it should be the decision of the NPS whether concessionaires apply a discount, not the concessionaire decision, as we KNOW what choice private companies make regarding revenue and profit.
It falls on all citizens and visitors to maintain the NPS system, and when a federally mandated discount (at one time at least) disappears, then only the holders of those passes pay more, so the raise in revenue hits only ONE portion of park visitors, and more than likely, those visitors attend parks and camp more often and generate more NPS and local towns revenue overall.
