START budget amendment would cut some late buses, raise fares in 2027

The START bus system is headed for a budget patch that could change some everyday routines for riders this fall and winter. On Sept. 14, the joint board of Teton County commissioners and the Jackson Town Council will consider a START budget amendment to close a $1.5 million fiscal year 2027 shortfall using a mix of new local funding, service cuts, and higher fares. The agenda lists the item as “START Budget Amendment.” meeting agenda

Staff are recommending $750,000 in additional local revenue split 48% county ($360,000), 32% town ($240,000), and 20% partners ($150,000), plus about $633,638 in service reductions and about $117,000 in added fare revenue for FY27 (with fare changes targeted for January 2027, after a Title VI review). The proposed service reductions include trimming late-night service after 8 pm on the Teton Village route and the Town Shuttle, running full express service only in peak windows, reducing weekend Town Shuttle service after 10 pm, cutting the vanpool fleet roughly in half (from 10 vans to 5), and ending the on-demand Library stop. Staff say they plan to begin implementing service reductions starting 10/12. START Board budget amendment packet