JACKSON, Wyo. — Teton County and the Town of Jackson announced Monday that Michael Toronto has been appointed to the position of Transit Director, set to helm Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit (START) operations beginning on Aug. 18.
Toronto most recently served as Transit Operations Manager for the Utah Transit Authority, overseeing a team of more than 600 employees, according to the announcement. He led a $55 million transit operation serving nearly 12 million riders annually on 38 bus routes, playing “a key role in advancing employee engagement, reducing turnover and improving service reliability,” the announcement reads.
“Michael brings a rare combination of hands-on transit operations expertise and strategic, people-centered leadership,” Town Manager Tyler Sinclair said in a statement. “We are thrilled to welcome him to the Town of Jackson and are confident that his experience will greatly benefit our transit system and the community it serves.”
Toronto brings with him more than a decade of transit leadership experience, per the announcement. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the Univ. of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s in social work from BYU-Idaho.
“I’m honored to join the team in Jackson,” Toronto said in a statement. “This is a beautiful town with a strong sense of community, and I’m eager to work alongside staff, leadership, and residents to ensure our transit system continues to serve as a reliable, innovative, and sustainable part of daily life. My family and I are excited to join the community and are looking forward to enjoying all that the Town of Jackson and Teton area has to offer.”
Bruce Abel will be retiring after serving as Transit Director since October of 2021 (first as interim director, then in the formalized role).
“I’ve been very fortunate to work with the group at START,” Abel told Buckrail. “It’s a fantastic team. I wish Mike well.”
