JACKSON, Wyo. — START bus released its final report on the Airport Shuttle Pilot program on Tuesday, Sept. 10, noting that March experienced the highest ridership after late season snow greatly improved ski conditions. The pilot program was conducted during the 2023/2024 winter season.
START partnered with the Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board, the Town of Jackson and Teton County to run a four-month trial of bus service from downtown Jackson to the Airport from Dec. 16, 2023, to April 14, 2024. The shuttle’s final report reviews ridership progress and shares rider and non-rider survey results collected during the pilot program.
The report outlines that there were 8,860 total passengers during the duration of the pilot program and the shuttle service operated 1,972.5 revenue hours. The shuttle averaged 4.5 passengers per hour, which was below the projected goal of 10 to12 passengers per hour. To reach the shuttle’s performance goal, START estimated that ridership needed to grow to 163 riders per day by the end of the study.
According to the report, ridership numbers were directly impacted by the community’s awareness and how many people flew into the Jackson Hole airport. March experienced the highest average of daily flight and shuttle boardings due to the improved snow conditions.
“Snow conditions were optimal in March and spring break brought an influx of travelers,” START said in the report.
START’s airport shuttle service will return for the 2024/2025 winter season after Town and County contributed the remaining balance of $6,400 to fund the shuttle.
For more information about the Pilot and related report, contact Transit Director Bruce Abel at babel@jacksonwy.gov or Regional Transportation Planning Administrator Charlotte Frei at cfrei@tetoncountywy.gov.
