START Bus Airport Shuttle Pilot Study Ends April 14th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 9, 2024

START Bus Airport Shuttle Pilot Study Ends April 14^th

Jackson, Wyoming – The last day of service for the START Bus Airport Shuttle Pilot Study will be on Sunday, April 14. Once the study concludes, consultants will begin analyzing study metrics and survey data. Preliminary findings are expected to be released this summer. Stakeholders will review the survey results and share findings with the public.

As of March 31^st, the shuttle has averaged 78 riders per day over the span of the pilot project, which began on December 16, 2023. Some of the larger daily ridership totals have reached upwards of 141-188 riders per day. A total of 8,328 total riders have used the service through the end of March, with close to a 50% split of riders boarding at the Airport versus in Town.

Other metrics for the pilot study include riders per hour, with a goal of 7 or more passengers per hour average over the complete pilot service. The study will also review cost and on-time performance, with a target of 85% or higher on-time performance. Customer satisfaction will be reviewed using survey results. START also hopes to see a farebox recovery of 40% or higher over the full pilot service period. These performance measures, in addition to ridership, will be used to determine whether or not the service merits possible continuation in the future.

Ty Hoath, START Chairperson, stated, “I look forward to future conversations around the possible continuation of this program next winter season.”

A survey for both riders and non-riders is available for the public to take and evaluate the service. The survey QR code is listed on both START Bus and JAC’s website and has been distributed on printed postcards as riders board the shuttle. Survey data presented by START near the halfway point of the pilot showed 99% of survey respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with their ride from Town to JAC. 100% of survey respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with their ride from JAC to Town.

Valerie Brown, Airport Board President, noted “The Airport Board wants to thank START for running this pilot study to learn more about service to the Airport. We recognize that the consultants and stakeholders have a lot of data to review, and we look forward to seeing the results this summer.”

To view more information on the pilot service, visit both the START site at www.jacksonwy.gov/661/Airport-Shuttle-Pilot-Program or the Airport’s website at www.jacksonholeairport.com/startprogram.

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