START Board to weigh Mike Toronto's service reductions
Mike Toronto's plan would cut some Friday commuter trips, late-night shuttles, van pool vehicles and On-Demand hours as START tries to close a $1.5M federal funding gap.
The Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit (START) Board is set Thursday to decide whether to recommend Mike Toronto's contingency service cuts for a $1.5 million federal funding shortfall staff report. The plan would cut one Friday morning and one Friday afternoon bus on both Teton Valley and Star Valley commuter service, reduce Town Shuttle buses after 8 p.m. and at midday, reduce winter Teton Village late-night service, run winter express buses only from 6 to 10 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m., cut about five van pool vehicles, shorten On-Demand hours and remove On-Demand stops at Albertsons and the library.
For workers, the warning is plain. Staff says the listed cuts would save about $1.12 million, including $502,225 from On-Demand, but START would still need another $381,143 in reductions or revenue. The report says deeper cuts would likely hit peak service, first trips of the day or last trips at night, exactly the rides people use for opening shifts, dinner shifts and getting home after the tourists are asleep. If the board recommends the plan, public notice would go out August 5, a public hearing would follow August 20 and final Town and County action is tentatively set for August 31.
Background
On July 23, 2026, the START Board approved recommending service reductions to address a $1.5M budget shortfall, with final decisions pending a public hearing and Joint Board approval.
Latest: 2026-08-20 — Scheduled public hearing to receive comment on proposed service reductions and fare changes before Joint Board approval.
curated as of 2026-07-22
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
START Board will hold a public hearing on August 20, 2026, for proposed service reductions and fare increases due to a $1.5M budget shortfall, with public input accepted in person, via Zoom, or by email.
Latest: 2026-08-20 — START Board holds public hearing on proposed service and fare changes, including reductions to commuter, Town Shuttle, and On-Demand services, and fare increases across all routes. Public input accepted in person, via Zoom, or by email.
curated as of 2026-08-19
Source Documents
| Date | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| July 23, 2026 | START Board Regular Meeting Agenda Packet | packet |