Grow Transportation Options 2

If shifting more trips to walking, cycling, and transit is imperative, then an essential first step is making those modes convenient, safe, comfortable, and reliable for travel. Since it would be cost prohibitive and unreasonable to assume this could be possible for all trips at all times of day and during all seasons, focus should be on trips where alternative modes can be made competitive and appealing, particularly at times when roadway supply is most limited.

Agencies and the private sector in Jackson Hole are already making progress in this area. START is a model transit system for a small and rural service area with recent infrastructure investments that position it for growth, the regional pathway system is an envy of many big cities and more people are using it for daily transportation as e-bikes proliferate, and transportation demand management is being used effectively to move employees and skiers to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

20% OF AFTERNOON

PEAK WY-22

TRIPS BY BUS

10% OF AFTERNOON

PEAK WY-22

TRIPS BY BIKE

Start Bus

Getting 10% of afternoon peak travelers into buses on WY-22 between Jackson and the WY22/390 interchange would ease congestion, reduce future demands for highway expansion, increase passage safety in the corridor, and reduce wildlife and environmental impacts. But, getting to that level of transit travel will take continued and sustained investment, including:

• Full implementation of the START Bus Routing Plan (2020-2025)

• Expansion of commuter services to Star Valley and Teton Valley, ID from 8 (Routing Plan Target) to 12 round trips per day.

• Expansion of Highway 22/390 service from 32 (Routing Plan Target) to 48 round trips per day.

• Provision of transit priority or managed high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes along Highway 22 to ensure operational reliability for START buses.

• Work with WYDOT to fund fare free commuter service pilot for Highway 22 during Snake River Bridge construction.

Vanpool

Increasing demand for long distance commuting should be addressed with more frequent commuter bus service. However, many workers in the service and medical industries face very early morning or late evening commutes, times when a full-size bus may not be cost effective. Reliable administration of a van fleet and ridematching services are critical to sustaining vanpool as a travel option. A Downtown Jackson Transportation Management Association (discussed more fully below) could provide those functions and manage recruitment and employer participation. START Bus could also act as the administering organization or the owner of the vehicle fleet, providing a local maintenance base and potential to use vans for midday services.

Vanpools would have a limited benefit for peak period congestion but are important in the suite of travel options that allow long distance commuters to leave their cars at home.