JHTTB Supports Airport Shuttle Pilot Program and Furthers Transportation Solutions of the SDMP

AIRPORT SHUTTLE SURVEY

This survey can be completed by both riders and non-riders of the Airport Shuttle Pilot Program.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2023

START Bus Solidifies Airport Shuttle Pilot in Collaboration with Jackson Hole Airport.

Jackson, Wyoming – START Bus is set to launch its airport shuttle pilot service after stakeholders met with community members during a Chat with Council on Wednesday, October 25. The event allowed staff and elected officials to hear from prospective riders before firming up details for the pilot program. The new “over the road” START coach bus will be queued up for its first passengers on Saturday, December 16.

“The Airport Board is excited to be working with our friends at START and elected officials in launching this pilot shuttle service between town and the airport,” stated Ed Liebzeit, Airport Board President.

The shuttle will offer hourly service from Miller Park from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm, and from the Airport from 5:40 am to 9:40 pm daily. The four stops around Town Square include Miller Park, Antler Inn, Deloney and Willow, and the Home Ranch Welcome Center. The Miller Park shuttle stop is located on the west side of Millward Street, near the pickleball courts. The final bus leaving the Airport will wait until 10:00 pm to depart to account for later flight arrivals. The coach bus has a 53-seat capacity and offers luggage storage under the bus.

Riders are encouraged to download the Transit App to purchase shuttle tickets, check bus schedules, and monitor route progress once the service is live. Customers can also pay cash upon boarding the bus, but drivers cannot make change. Credit card purchases can be made using the app. Adult one-way fares will be $10.00. One-way fares for seniors, children 12 and under, and individuals with disabilities will be $5.00. Children 8 and under, when riding with an adult, can ride for free. Teton Village, Star Valley, Teton Valley and other seasonal or monthly passes will not apply.

Ty Hoath, START Chairperson, noted, “At its core, START’s role is to get people where they want, when they want. Bus service to the Airport has long been discussed in our community and this request will be realized this winter. Thank you to all partners that have contributed to this pilot; the Town and County, the Airport and START.”

A survey for both riders and non-riders will be available for people to take and evaluate the service. The survey QR code will be listed on both START Bus and JAC’s website and will be handed out on printed postcards as riders board the shuttle. The program’s success will be evaluated based on passengers per hour, on-time performance, customer satisfaction, and farebox recovery. Upon completion of the pilot on April 14, the program will be put on pause and stakeholders will evaluate metrics and determine the feasibility of the service moving forward. Determining a funding source for a future shuttle presents a challenge, as the Airport can only fund the current service during the pilot phase.

No airport-specific parking for the pilot service will be available at any shuttle stop or elsewhere in the Town of Jackson. Existing parking enforcement and policies will continue (i.e. no parking from 2 am to 7 am in town lots, no overnight on-street parking). Passengers are encouraged to access one of the four shuttle stops via other START routes, START On Demand, or drop-off by friends, family, taxi or rideshare.

“We are grateful for START’s commitment to the pilot program and their efforts to get it underway and measure results,” said Ed Liebzeit, Airport Board President. “The airport continues to work to improve our transportation options, environmental initiatives and customer service at the Airport, and we hope the community and visitors will join us in this latest effort with START.”

To view more information on the pilot service, visit both the Airport’s website or the START Bus site.

To download the transit app, visit the App Store.