September 15 4:00 AM
Route 40 - Starting Monday 8/31 - Leaving Downtown Boise to Caldwell will be on detour. Following stop will be closed: Idaho / 27th
Nampa, Caldwell updates: what we heard
Each year as we develop a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, VRT requests funding from partner agencies to fund operations and capital projects. This year, the City of Nampa asked us to explore more efficient ways to provide service and reduce our funding request for fiscal year 2027 (which runs October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027) from the original proposal of ~$860,000 to less than $500,000.
Throughout the FY2027 budget discussion, VRT received feedback on the proposed changes to transit service in Canyon County from multiple sources, including e-mail, social media channels, surveys, an open house, and a public hearing.
Throughout the process, the public has expressed significant concerns about how a reduction in transit services would impact them. Many respondents expressed concern over the changes to Route 40 and its impact on their ability to access jobs, and education.
What’s Being Proposed
Following the City of Nampa’s desire to reduce the budget request, VRT staff have developed a service proposal that costs $498,522 and aligns with the city’s request. The proposed changes include:
- 150 Nampa/Caldwell On-Demand: The biggest changes would be in how VRT On-Demand is provided. While the service area and hours of service would remain the same, the new VRT On-Demand model would use a combination of microtransit (smaller vehicles and vans for shared trips) and ride hailing services like Uber and Lyft. The fare would remain the same as it is today, but there may be an opportunity to pay for fares within the mobile or online booking app rather than just at the fare box. The goal for this part of VRT On-Demand is to group similar trips together. If the trip is too long or short to match with other riders, a ride hail option (like Uber or Lyft) will be available for a small upcharge.
- Route 40 Caldwell/Boise Express: Route 40 would no longer stop in Nampa. Route 40 would continue to serve downtown Caldwell, accessing I-84 at Franklin Road and proceeding directly to Ten Mile in Meridian, where it would continue on its current route. The number of trips on route 40 will remain the same.
How Nampa Riders Would Reach Boise
If Route 40 stops are removed:
- Riders could take VRT On-Demand to Route 42 and transfer to Boise.
- Riders could use park and ride locations in Caldwell or Meridian for more direct express access.
- Some trips may be offered via $2 ride hail within the VRT app. Riders can decline these offers.
Mobility device users will always be matched to a VRT operated accessible vehicle, not a ride hail provider.
What We Heard from the Community
VRT conducted a public survey about the service changes proposed to the Nampa City Council and hosted an open house and public hearing on June 22nd. During that time VRT received 62 survey responses.
Overall, survey feedback highlights the importance of transit in Nampa and Caldwell. The survey responses speak to the value of both VRT On-Demand and fixed route bus services and show that VRT has high levels of satisfaction among those who are using VRT services. VRT services are safe, reliable and valuable to Canyon County residents.
Key Themes
Transit is essential for daily life. Riders rely on VRT to access jobs, education, medical care, groceries, and social services. Many are unable to drive due to income, disability, or age. Eliminating or reducing routes would “immobilize” many households.
Fixed route services anchor reliability. Route 42 and Route 40 offer predictable, reliable trips that On Demand alone cannot replicate. Riders highlighted that losing Route 40 in Nampa could lead to job loss, increased commute times, and higher transportation costs. 66% said removing Nampa’s Route 40 stops would make their commute less convenient (46%) or risk job loss (20%).
VRT On-Demand reliability gaps must be improved. Riders reported long waits, trip timeouts, and in some cases needing to walk long distances after a booking failed. Introducing ride hail options may help address these gaps, though many expressed concerns about cost, safety, and consistency.
High satisfaction with VRT overall. Survey respondents rated VRT highly:
- 95% agreed services are affordable
- 77% find services reliable
- Safety rated 4.6/5, with strong marks for cleanliness and driver professionalism
Community support for transit funding. A strong majority (84%) support local government funding for public transportation. Reasons include:
- Supporting the productivity of people who cannot drive (74%)
- Providing essential community transportation (74%)
- Reducing congestion (66%)
- Saving households money (53%)
Rider Testimony
Several speakers at the June 22 hearing described the critical importance of transit in their daily lives:
- A kidney transplant patient shared that missing rides could jeopardize life sustaining medical care.
- Riders expressed fear that losing Route 40 in Nampa would make work and school unreachable.
- Others emphasized that walking long distances after failed On Demand trips was unsafe, especially late at night.
- Multiple riders without cars said the bus system is their only reliable mobility option.
Public testimony consistently underscored the severe consequences of reducing service for vulnerable residents.
View full community feedback memo
What's next?
The Nampa City council will make the final determination for VRT funding at their August 17th budget hearing. Members of the public are invited to share their feedback.
How to participate: https://www.cityofnampa.us/1612/Public-Meetings
Attendees that plan to ride VRT On-Demand, Access, or Beyond Access to return from the public hearing should contact VRT Customer Service to book their trip.
Rides will be provided after the public hearing ends and must be booked by 5 PM Friday, August 14th.
VRT Customer Service: 208-345-7433
Media inquiries
Jason Rose, Public Information Officer
jrose@ridevrt.org
(208) 803‑5183
For media resources, logos, and photos, please visit ridevrt.org/press.