START’s 5-year route map moves ahead, 5-1 vote drops airport bus
START’s board is set to take up the 5-Year Transit Development Plan on May 28, after already voting 5-1 to confirm a recommended route network that suspends airport service, setting the framework for what commuter routes get built next.
START’s long-range route redesign is effectively locked in, and the next public checkpoint is May 28: the START Board is scheduled to discuss and approve the Final 5-Year Transit Development Plan, after voting 5 to 1 in April to approve the recommended route plan, with airport service explicitly excluded. For riders, that 5-1 vote is the clearest signal so far about where service expansion effort is headed, and where it is not. See: START Board Regular Meeting Agenda Packet.
What I will be listening for Thursday is whether the Board treats that route map as a firm commitment or as a placeholder that still could change before implementation work begins. The packet frames the TDP as a five-year guide, with an incremental scenario that holds the operating budget around $9.3 million in 2026 before ramping up in later years, and it ties bigger service expansion to START’s ability to staff up. If you care about reliable cross-valley commuting, the stakes are simple: the plan decides which lines get priority, and it keeps airport service off the table for now. START Board Regular Meeting Agenda Packet.
Background
| Date | Value |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $9.3 million |
| 2027 | $9.8 million |
| 2028 | $11.4 million |
| 2029 | $12.0 million |
| 2030 | $12.7 million |
| 2031 | $13.4 million |
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 August 20, 2026, START Board's proposed fare hikes and service cuts met strong public opposition, with the Board recommending local funding to avoid immediate changes.
Latest: 2026-08-20 — START Board held public hearing on proposed service and fare changes. Proposed a $2.00 flat fare for local service and $10.00 for commuter routes. Public comments overwhelmingly opposed both fare increases and service reductions. Board recommended covering the funding gap with General Fund dollars, delaying immediate implementation of changes.
curated as of 2026-08-25
On July 23, 2026, the START Board voted 5-1 to approve $1,118,000 in service and budget cuts as a contingency if Town and County General Fund support for a $1.5 million shortfall was not pursued.
Latest: 2026-10-22 — START Board votes 5-1 to approve initial service and budget cuts totaling $1,118,000 as a contingency if primary funding is not pursued.
curated as of 2026-10-22
Source Documents
| Date | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| May 28, 2026 | START Board Regular Meeting Agenda Packet | packet |