View All Service Alerts

July 24 12:00 AM

Outbound stop on Main and 23rd is closed and no temp stop placed due to construction in the area.

July 23 12:00 AM

Outbound stop closed on Main and 27th due to construction and temp stop placed far-side of the intersection, right after the entrance to the Gas station.

July 23 12:00 AM

All routes that use downstairs at MSS are relocated due to construction. Visit ridevrt.org/MSS25 for more information.

July 17 7:00 AM

OB route 9 & 10 stop at state and Ellen's Ferry closed. No temp stop placed.

June 27 4:00 AM

Due to construction on Pine in Meridian, detour in place around Pine. Stops closed: W. Pine Ave & NW 8th, Pine Ave & W. 1st St. Temp Stops placed W. Pine & 8th St. heading toward the Village, no temp stop placed heading toward 10 Mile.

June 19 5:00 AM

There is a temp stop in place at Outbound Emerald and Rifleman for the routes 24 and 42.

May 12 1:00 AM

Due to construction on State and Pierce Park area both stops on inbound and outbound sides are closed and no temp stops.

April 29 1:00 AM

For the outbound routes 2, 16 and 17 stop on Main and 3rd is closed for long term, please use stop on Main and 1st. Thank you.

April 23 1:00 AM

Due to construction both inbound routes 4 and 5 are on detour. From River, Left on 11th, Right on Myrtle, Left on Capitol. Stop at Capitol and River will be missed. No temp stops placed.

March 21 1:00 AM

Due to road closure on 8th Street, OB route 10 will be on detour from 5th Street to Fort Street. Stop on 8th and Franklin will be closed, no temp stop placed. Please go to next open stop to catch route 10.

September 16 8:00 AM

Due to road construction, route 16 is on detour. Stops on 1st/Idaho and 1st/Bannock will be closed, use stop on Main and 1st.

Home > News > Charging Ahead: Main Street Station Buses to Relocate During Electric Charger Installation

Charging Ahead: Main Street Station Buses to Relocate During Electric Charger Installation

The project will modernize transit, diversify VRT’s bus fleet, provide resiliency for VRT’s charging infrastructure, and support a new generation of zero-emission buses.

Starting June 9, 2025, VRT will temporarily relocate buses boarding downstairs at Main Street Station to install new overhead electric charging infrastructure. The passenger waiting area, restrooms, and Customer Service desk at VRT’s primary transit hub in downtown Boise will remain open throughout construction. Buses will board from relocated stops until construction wraps up, anticipated later this year.

This project is a major step in VRT’s commitment to efficiency, sustainability, and more reliable service. The new on-route charging infrastructure will let electric buses stay on the road longer, avoiding trips to the Orchard Maintenance Facility for recharging.


Temporary Boarding Locations

During construction, boarding will move to the following nearby areas:

  • Main Street: Routes 2*, 7, 8, 9, 10*, 16*, 17, 40
  • 9th & Grove: Routes 3*, 4*, 5*, 29*

*moving from downstairs

Bus stop signs along Main Street will be updated to reflect the temporary route shifts. Temporary signs will be posted along 9th Street, and parking will be blocked to ensure safe access for passengers. Customer Service will also be available at Main Street Station to help riders navigate the temporary changes.

Main Street Station hours during construction

  • Monday-Friday: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Saturday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

 


How On-Route Charging Works

Each electric bus will be equipped with rooftop charging rails, which connect with a pantograph charger that lowers from the station ceiling. These fast chargers will allow buses to “top off” their batteries during layovers at Main Street Station, keeping them in service longer without needing to return to the garage.

Picture of an overhead pantograph charger extending from overhead structure onto bus rooftop
Overhead pantograph charging at partner transit agency, King County Metro”

“This project is a big leap forward in our mission to deliver cleaner, smarter transit,” said VRT CEO Elaine Clegg. “It demonstrates the benefits of a strong local and federal partnership for better buses. This investment in electric infrastructure provides resilience in our charging system and allows us to use our fleet more efficiently to move toward a healthier, more sustainable future.”


Project Funding

This work is primarily funded through a $17.4 million Low or No Emission Grant Program award that VRT received in 2022. The funding also supports the purchase of eight new electric buses from U.S. bus manufacturer Gillig, expanding VRT’s current Ada County fleet of twelve electric and 30 compressed natural gas (CNG) fixed-route buses.


Main Street Station bike locker

Construction will limit access to the bus bays, which includes the bike lockers at Main Street Station. Make sure to grab your bike before June 9th! If you have questions about accessing the locker or want to update payments, please contact Customer Service.