Commuter buses now carrying food, water

JACKSON (WNE) — Following feedback from riders, all commuter START buses traveling to Idaho and Star Valley will be equipped with food and water in case of emergencies or long delays.

START Director Bruce Abel said the supplies are in response to two nights on Teton Pass this spring, May 1 and May 7, when the pass closed multiple times, inconveniencing riders and extending the commute into several hours.

“A number of our customers suggested it would have been nice if we had water and snacks on board,” Abel said.

Bottles of water are now stored in the overhead bins, and while Abel has snacks in hand, he’s mulling the appropriate place to keep the “protein-oriented” snacks, including beef jerky, trail mix and granola bars.

On May 1, Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers were kept busy, as car after car lost traction, resulting in multiple closures in one night. A START bus was among the vehicles that lost traction due to icy roads.

“It was effectively stuck,” Abel said.

Bus drivers are in contact with the Highway Patrol and Wyoming Department of Transportation via radios and also communicate via text and phone.

This story was published on May 22, 2024.