JACKSON, Wyo. — START Bus will be allocating an approved $281,000 on additional buses to help increase service levels from Jackson to Teton Village starting today, December 24, through a contract with Salt Lake Express. The decision follows after a few START Bus riders have tested positive for COVID.
A total of 5 buses will be added to the existing winter fleet over the course of the next week, and will have placards displayed on board to indicate that they are START Buses.
START Bus says that these contracted Salt Lake Express busses will help bolster the existing Teton Village Express service between Jackson and Teton Village. The primary stops will include Miller Park Town Transfer, Albertsons, and the Hampton Inn during the morning runs and Teton Village and Stilson Village Road Transfer Center in the afternoons. These additional five buses will increase daily passenger capacity to the existing service by approximately 720 seats.
On December 8, 2020, Governor Mark Gordon announced new and expanded state health orders. These state health orders require all non-commuter START buses to operate at 25% capacity. This reduction in capacity has been a challenge for START bus passengers and START Bus administration alike. The acquisition of these additional buses to the current START service will allow for increased passenger capacity to and from Teton Village.
“The START Board would like to thank the Jackson Town Council and the Teton Board of County Commissioners for working with us in an effort to provide much needed additional trips even during this time of restrained budget,” said Darren Brugmann, START Bus Director. “In addition, the START Board would like to thank the local hotels who have also contracted with Salt Lake Express for additional service to Teton Village as they have done in the past.”
START Bus works closely with local health organizations and continuing to take proactive measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic including frequent cleaning schedules for buses, requiring all START Bus operators and passengers to wear masks, having hand sanitizer on board, improved airflow and filtration systems, and the installation of dividers for driver protection.
Per Teton County Public Health Order #20-6, face coverings are required while riding START Bus.
“Please do not ride START Bus if you choose not to wear a face covering. START Bus continues to offer face coverings on all START Buses and hand sanitizer for the public to use upon boarding, the duration of the trip, and upon disembarking,” START Bus said in a press release. “Please do not ride START Bus if you are sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.”
