JACKSON, Wyo. — The last day of service for the START Bus Airport Shuttle Pilot Study will be on Sunday, April 14, with the possible continuation of the program next year depending upon data and public survey results.
Once the study concludes, consultants will begin analyzing study metrics and survey data, and preliminary findings are expected to be released this summer.
As of March 31, the shuttle averaged 78 riders per day over the span of the pilot project, which began on December 16, 2023. Some of the larger daily ridership totals have reached upwards of 141 to 188 riders per day. A total of 8,328 riders have used the service through the end of March, with close to a 50% split of riders boarding at the airport versus in town.
Other metrics for the pilot study include riders per hour, with a goal of seven or more passengers per hour average over the complete pilot service.
The pilot study will also review cost and on-time performance, with a target of 85% or higher on-time performance. Customer satisfaction will be reviewed using survey results. START’s goal is to receive a farebox recovery of 40% or higher over the full pilot service period. These performance measures, in addition to ridership, will be used to determine whether or not the service merits possible continuation in the future.
“I look forward to future conversations around the possible continuation of this program next winter season,” START Chairperson Ty Hoath said in the announcement.
Survey data presented by START near the halfway point of the pilot showed 99% of survey respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with their ride from town to Jackson Hole Airport (JAC). 100% of survey respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with their ride from JAC to town.
A survey for both riders and non-riders is available for the public to evaluate the service. The survey QR code is listed on both START Bus and JAC’s website.
