START Bus budget amendment may decide fall cuts and fares

The Jackson Town Council and Teton County commissioners will spend up to three hours Aug. 31 on a START Bus budget amendment after federal funding came in $1.5 million short, according to the special meeting agenda and agenda packet. Staff and the START Board recommend filling the whole gap from town and county General Funds, $600,000 from Jackson and $900,000 from Teton County, to preserve current service while longer-term funding is studied.

For families, the question is whether bus routines get more expensive or less useful this fall. If the joint board does not fully fund the gap, the packet lays out cuts that could reduce town shuttle frequency, trim Friday commuter trips from Star Valley and Teton Valley, shorten START On Demand hours, and remove On Demand stops at Albertsons and the Teton County Library. A staff fare option would charge $2 on local routes and On Demand and $10 on commuter one-way rides, but the START Board does not recommend using fare hikes to close the gap.