START Board backs 5-year transit plan, including ending Teton Village South
At its Feb. 26, 2026 meeting, the START Board reviewed a new Transit Development Plan that recommends keeping commuter routes but discontinuing Teton Village South and launching additional on-demand and vanpool options over the next five years.
The START Board spent a major portion of its Feb. 26 regular meeting reviewing a new systemwide Transit Development Plan (TDP) and fare study intended to guide service and investment decisions over the next five years and beyond. The plan is framed as a “blueprint” for START’s network and includes recommended route changes and new mobility options. (See the meeting packet: START Board Regular Meeting Agenda Packet.)
Among the notable recommendations: no change to existing commuter service, discontinuing the Teton Village South service, and maintaining the current East Jackson START On-Demand zone while adding a new on-demand service area for South Park/Rafter J Ranch/Melody Ranch. The plan also calls for adjusting airport service schedules and leaving ADA service unchanged. (Transit Development Plan and Fare Study.)
The TDP’s implementation concepts include adding a vanpool program and a “Guaranteed Ride Home” option as early as FY27, plus longer-term exploration of carshare and bikeshare (with an implementation target around FY29). The plan also lays out “preferred” and “vision” networks, including potential headway and span-of-service increases (such as more frequent Town Shuttle service under a growth scenario). (Transit Development Plan and Fare Study.)
The same Feb. 26 agenda also included a FY27 budget and service-level presentation by START Director Michael Toronto, positioning the TDP recommendations to inform upcoming budget decisions. (START Board Regular Meeting Agenda.)
Background
On April 30, 2026, the START Board approved the 2026–2031 route plan (excluding airport service) with a 5-1 vote, launching phased transit expansion, network redesign, and fare simplification.
Latest: 2031 — Projected operating budget peaks at $13.4 million; goal of 300,000 additional annual boardings reached if all expansions are implemented.
curated as of 2026-05-27
On June 25, 2026, the START Board adopted Scenario 2 of the Recommended Network Route Plan, enabling a redesigned, cost-neutral transit network to launch by FY28, with phased service increases as resources allow.
Latest: 2031 — Operating cost projected to reach ~$13.4M as service expands incrementally.
curated as of 2026-06-24
The START Board approved a simplified, rider-focused fare structure for FY 2028, with key changes including $1 Village Route fares and free transfers, in a 4-3 vote on June 25, 2026.
Latest: 2026-06-25 — START Board voted 4-3 to approve the new fare structure from the Transit Development Plan for FY 2028 implementation.
curated as of 2026-06-24
Source Documents
| Date | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| February 26, 2026 | START Board Regular Meeting Agenda Packet | packet |
| February 26, 2026 | START Board Regular Meeting Agenda | agenda |