JACKSON, Wyo. — START Bus’ new South Town pilot program that encompasses Melody Ranch, Rafter J and South Park has serviced thousands of riders in its first eleven weeks of operation.

“We like the trajectory it’s on, it’s going in the right direction and will continue to improve,” said Bruce Abel, transit operations director at START.

Abel added that as a pilot program, START has been fielding requests for adjustments and listening to riders’ suggestions for improvements.

In the first two and a half months of service, START has seen around 25 riders per day. While these are good numbers START hopes to get ridership numbers up in the long term, Abel says.

START’s On-Demand Microtransit operations launched at the end of 2021. In December 2022, START announced that it would expand its On-Demand service after the community expressed a need to expand service in the South Jackson neighborhoods.

Map of South Town pilot program service route. Courtesy of the Town of Jackson.

The South Town Microtransit program offers service every day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and connects the South Park, Rafter J and Melody Ranch neighborhoods to the bus stop at Smith’s. Riders in these neighborhoods can request rides to and from the Smith’s bus stop at Eagle Village Shopping Center to the Town Shuttle and Teton Village South fixed routes. 

She's a lover of alliteration, easy-to-follow recipes and board games when everyone knows the rules. Her favorite aspect about living in the Tetons is the collective admiration that Wyomingites share for the land and the life that it sustains.