Joint Board may mix cuts, fare hikes, and General Fund to close START gap
On Aug. 31, town and county officials will weigh a mix of service reductions, fare increases, and General Fund money to close START Bus’ $1.5 million FY2027 shortfall tied to reduced federal funding.
The Town of Jackson Council and Teton County Board of County Commissioners (the Joint Board) may vote Aug. 31 on a combined package of service reductions, fare increases, and General Fund support to fill START Bus’ $1.5 million FY2027 hole tied to reduced federal funding. Staff lays out “a combination of service reductions, fare increase, and General Fund use” as one of the explicit options, after noting the system is “$1.5 M short of what is needed” to keep current service levels. Special Joint Meeting Agenda Packet
For working households, this is less about transit policy and more about whether people can keep showing up to shifts without buying another car. Watch for whether electeds treat General Fund dollars as the first line of defense (as staff recommends) or lean on riders through higher fares and reduced service, and if they do, how they split the pain between in-town trips and the longer commuter routes that many workforce residents rely on. Special Joint Meeting Agenda Packet
Background
START's $1.5M gap is slated to be filled by the General Fund, with service cuts and fare hikes as backup options if needed.
Latest: 2027-01 — Earliest possible date for implementing new fare structure, contingent on Title VI review and public engagement.
curated as of 2026-08-29
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
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
Source Documents
| Date | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| August 31, 2026 | Special Joint Meeting Agenda Packet | packet |