Nampa, Caldwell updates: what we heard

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. Ride hail option: 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 (+ $0.50) from regular fare.
• 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.

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

Rider Testimonials

• July 15-16: Nampa City Council will host a workshop to review the proposed budget. Following the budget workshop, an updated proposed budget will be made available for the public to review ahead of the public hearing. The community is welcome to share their feedback throughout the process.
• August 3:
  • An updated budget proposal available for public to view two weeks ahead of the public hearing on this website.
  • VRT Board Meeting
• August 12: Public comments for council consideration received by noon to the Clerk’s Office will be added to the official council packet ahead of the public hearing. Contact the Clerk’s office with questions or options.
• August 17: The community is invited to share feedback at a public hearing beginning at 6 p.m. before Nampa City Council at Nampa City Hall (411 3rd Street South).
• October 12, 2026: Target implementation date for adopted changes.

Stay Engaged

• Nampa & Caldwell Proposed Service Updates: ridevrt.org/nampa-caldwell
• Send feedback to feedback@ridevrt.org

Track the process at the City of Nampa Finance website: https://www.cityofnampa.us/191/Finance.