Nampa City Council upholds transit service in preliminary budget vote; up next: public hearing

UPDATE: AUGUST 18, 2025

At its August 18, 2025 meeting, the Nampa City Council voted to pass the proposed FY2026 budget, which includes funding to maintain VRT service. VRT’s CEO Elaine Clegg testified; see her abbreviated statement below:

Last month, this Council voted to maintain full funding for VRT services in Nampa. That vote was more than a budget decision — it was a clear recognition of the essential role transit plays in peoples’ lives. To me, it seems to reflect a community conversation that has grown bigger, stronger, and more united over the past year. 

This year, we’ve had more conversations with the Nampa community than ever before. There were online surveys, dedicated events like Canyon County Transit Day, and one-on-one conversations at bus stops and public meetings. We heard: 

• “Without On-Demand, I’d be broke.” 

• “Transit gives me my independence back.” 

• “If VRT is eliminated, I may not be able to exist.”

• “Eliminating service would be a doomsday scenario for us.” 

Organizations said similar things: transportation isn’t a luxury, it’s critical infrastructure. It’s how people get to work, to school, to appointments, and to the people they care about. 

We understand that your vote last month wasn’t easy. Nampa’s general fund is stretched thin, and you face real, often impossible-seeming choices — especially under the constraints of state legislation that limits your flexibility. 

VRT faces similar challenges. Within a limited budget, we operate the most service we can to run key inter-county fixed routes and on-demand options that serve your constituents’ needs. We know it’s not enough.  

Your partnership means a lot to us and your constituents. Not just for what happens this year, but for what happens next. It matters when cities like Nampa step up. It strengthens our foundation and allows for advocacy at the state level, where we are actively working to secure a sustainable, long-term funding solution for public transit across Idaho. Your leadership gives us a stronger platform to pursue lasting change. 

We know the last two budget cycles have brought difficult discussions. You have shown up to those conversations with honesty, transparency, we responded in kind and together we have been finding a path to a deep commitment to working alongside each other to serve Nampa. Thank you. 

Thank you for listening. Thank you for preserving service. And thank you for helping us build a more resilient, better-connected transit future that reflects the needs and values of this community. 

Your vote last month let all your riders breathe a sigh of relief, and gave them hope. We respectfully urge you to adopt the final budget as forwarded with full transit funding. We look forward to continuing our work together in the year ahead. 

Thank you. 

ORIGINAL STORY

Nampa residents may continue to have access to VRT services for another year after the Nampa City Council cast a preliminary vote to maintain full funding in the city’s upcoming budget. The decision, made during a pivotal budget meeting last month, reflects both the Council’s commitment to transportation options and the overwhelming support voiced by the community. The final budget proposal is now open for public comment ahead of a public hearing  on August 18.

View City of Nampa’s proposed budget

If approved, local transit options — including Routes 40 and 42, the 150 Nampa/Caldwell On-Demand service, paratransit, and other VRT programs — will remain unchanged. These services provide a vital lifeline for Nampa: in fiscal year 2024, VRT delivered more than 83,000 trips in the city, a 7% increase from the previous year, with Route 42 ridership more than doubling.

“We appreciate the time and engagement from the Nampa City Council and its willingness to dig in and consider their residents’ needs,” said VRT CEO Elaine Clegg. “Their recognition of the importance of transportation options will prove to be a critical decision for Nampa residents and visitors, and we look forward to continuing service and growing ridership while we help Nampa build supporting infrastructure. The input from community members and bus riders helped everyone appreciate why we provide this service.”

Community Voices Made the Difference

This outcome follows months of strong public input across Nampa and Canyon County. During Canyon County Transit Day events and community surveys conducted in May:

• 87% of participants supported expanding the transit system
• More than 90% supported public funding for transit
• Only 5% favored service cuts

Residents shared how transit saves money, connects them to jobs and medical care, and provides independence. One Nampa rider put it simply: “Without On-Demand, I’d be broke.”

Local organizations, including the Idaho Department of Labor, Saint Alphonsus Health System, the Nampa Public Library, and numerous nonprofits, also added their voices. Many warned that cuts would have been “devastating,” particularly for seniors, students, and workers. VRT also received letters of support from business and community partners, underscoring the consensus that transit is essential to Nampa’s future.

Next Steps: How to Get Involved

While the Council’s preliminary vote would maintain transit service, the budget must still be formally adopted. Community members, riders, and local businesses are encouraged to stay engaged by:

• Submitting written comments to the Nampa City Clerk by noon on August 13 via email at cityclerk@cityofnampa.us or by phone at 208-468-5415
• Attend the public budget hearing on August 18 at 6:00 p.m. at Nampa City Hall (411 3rd St. South) to show your support in person

“Public involvement truly made a difference,” added Clegg. “We encourage everyone who cares about transit to stay engaged and keep speaking up. Together, riders, businesses, nonprofits, and local leaders are ensuring that Nampa’s transit system remains strong and accessible for all.”

Further reading: 

Canyon County Transit Day: Listening, Learning, and Looking Ahead (May 16, 2025) VRT seeks public input on potential service changes, cuts in Canyon County (April 15, 2025) VRT On-Demand to stay in Nampa, discontinue in Eagle (August 20, 2024) 2025 Proposed City Budgets to Eliminate VRT On-Demand in Nampa, Eagle (August 8, 2024)