Jackson’s public transportation system posted record-breaking numbers for another year, carrying more than 625,000 riders in 2006.

According to a news release distributed Tuesday, START bus increased its numbers from 2005 by 95,209 riders. Ridership in 2006 was six times more than it was 10 years ago, when START reported 106,219 riders in 1996.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be carrying the amount of people greater than the population of Wyoming,” START Director Michael Wackerly said in a news release. “Use of the START bus reduces traffic and pollution and is a safe and convenient way for people to get into and around Jackson Hole.”

In a phone interview, Wackerly also said he attributes the record-breaking number to marketing efforts, including bus graphics that increase START’s visibility within the community.

Partnerships with community businesses also helped START time routes with business-hours schedules and drew more workers to public transportation, he said.

In 2007, Wackerly expects ridership to increase again with the beginning of START service to and from Driggs and Victor, Idaho. That service is slated to begin April 9 and will offer two round trips a day.

Wackerly said he wants to thank the drivers, fleet maintenance employees at public works and other START employees. He also said he wanted to thank riders for their support and for choosing buses over driving.

“The endorsement by town and county officials, the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Teton Village Association is critical to our success,” he said. “They have supported START financially and in many other ways.”

For information on START, call 733-4521 or visit www.startbus.com.