JACKSON, Wyo. — Recently secured CARES Act funds will allow START to continue serving the community as service demand ramps up.
The Town of Jackson and START Bus today announced that the federal stimulus package would allow START to address transportation needs for the community moving forward. The funding will allow START Bus to begin restoring bus service that was dramatically reduced in March as the community responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This federal assistance could not have come at a better time when we at the town and county are working through major revenue shortfalls and prioritizing funding for core services,” said town manager Larry Pardee.
START Bus is seeing demand for service slowly increase as ridership is on the rise. The funding could also enable the focus to return for potential route improvement implementations sooner than later.
CARES Act Funding is available to provide support for operating, administration and maintenance expenses generally eligible under federal programs to provide public transportation services in response to COVID-19.
This funding will allow START to continue providing right-sized core services during this time of need, and help offset some of the reduction in revenue to Town and County government funding due to an unprecedented decrease in sales and lodging tax collections.
“Having our federal government provide immediate assistance to small rural transit systems such as START will ensure we can continue to transport individuals dependent on our system for their essential needs is enormous,” said Darren Brugmann, START Bus director. “We are very thankful to both the federal government and the state of Wyoming for making this funding available and so quickly.”
START Bus continues to work closely with local health organizations and will continue to follow best practices as recommended by local health officials in response to COVID-19.
