Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article erroneously stated that fares would be increased on Oct. 1. The increases will be discussed at a public hearing before changing officially. Buckrail regrets the error.
JACKSON, Wyo. — Town Councilors and Teton County Commissioners adopted a solution for the $1.5 million budget shortfall at a Sept. 14 joint meeting. The solution was adopted for START for the 2027 Fiscal Year (FY27), which is suffering the shortfall due to federal funding cuts.
Ultimately, $633,638 was approved in service reductions for the upcoming season. $117,000 is expected in fare revenue. To cover the rest, $750,000 of FY27 budget funds was reallocated to START, split 48% from Teton County, 32% from the Town and 20% from partners. The 20% from partners, or $150,000, is not yet committed.
START bus fare between Teton Village and the Town of Jackson could be bumped up to $4 each way, an increase from $3 each way. A public hearing on the fare changes will be held on Oct. 1 at 3:30 p.m. via Zoom. If the fare increases are approved then, they would go into effect in November for the winter season.
During the joint meeting, public comment centered around creating a more durable funding model.
Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce CEO Rick Howe agreed. “It’s time to put a group of coalition partners together to talk a little more about a more sustainable funding model,” he said during comment. “Just to say we’re going to keep cutting back on service is probably not something that we as a community should adopt or accept.”
Eventually, the boards directed staff to work with the business community and Teton Village Association on long-term support, develop a proposal for a joint transportation advisory board and regional transportation agency, and work with Wyoming lawmakers on potential changes supporting public transit.
