Smarter trips, shorter waits: VRT Access, Beyond Access, and On-Demand share vehicles for more efficient trips

Earlier this year, VRT began sharing vehicles between Access, Beyond Access, and On-Demand services to support more riders, reduce waiting times, and be more efficient. Service areas, eligibility, fares, and booking processes remain unchanged.

Previously, trips on these three services – often called “demand-response” because they operate by request rather than along a fixed bus route – were scheduled independently.

Now, with the help of VRT’s scheduling platform Via, which books trips, maps rides, and powers the VRT Booking app, VRT can distribute vehicles as they are available to support other services.

“By sharing rides across services, we can serve more riders and make better use of every trip,” said Jeannette Ezell, VRT’s Operations Director. “Being flexible with vehicles means our service is much more efficient, and we anticipate seeing our ridership grow as a result.”

ADA COUNTY

In Ada County, VRT began using Access vehicles to support Beyond Access trips on January 2, offering rides that were not otherwise an option.

In the first week, VRT saw 130 same-day or after-hours bookings that wouldn’t have been available before the sharing option, with 258 total rides booked online or with the VRT Booking app.

“This has been a great early indicator that this flexibility is working,” Ezell said. “We will continue to monitor ridership trends and the system will continue to learn and become more efficient, while still making sure all ADA commitments are met.”

If an Access vehicle arrives for a Beyond Access trip, the ride is still a Beyond Access ride and remains free for eligible riders. The vehicle may look different, but the service, eligibility, and fare remain the same.

CANYON COUNTY

On February 2, vehicle flexibility will reach Canyon County, where Access vehicles will help support VRT On-Demand trips.

“Our On-Demand service in Canyon County is often completely booked, and struggles due to driver and vehicle availability, which is determined by the funding we get locally,” Ezell said. “Broadening our vehicle pool will add capacity to the service and help us demonstrate the actual demand for Canyon County services.”

Staff will also be removing service decals to reflect the shift to a broader VRT fleet, rather than having service-specific vehicles.

Because Access vehicles lack fareboxes, On-Demand riders should pay using Umo or cash. Access riders can continue to use their current payment type.

During the first weeks of the change, drivers will do a visual inspection of valid paper passes and allow riders to board while VRT evaluates a long-term solution.

WHY UMO?

VRT encourages riders to switch to the Umo payment system, which turns frequent riding into pass pricing: simply tap and go, pay per ride, and once your total reaches All Day or 31-Day Pass amounts, you get unlimited rides for the rest of that period.

“We want to thank passengers for their patience as we move toward a more consistent and available service,” Ezell said. “We also want to remind everyone that service is reflected during booking, not by how the vehicle looks, and drivers will have your trip information and get you to your destination.”

“We’re excited to see how this strengthens our system,” Ezell added.

If you have questions about how this change affects your trip, or if you’d like to share feedback, please contact Customer Service or visit ridevrt.org/feedback.

Rider Poster, English (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about this effort? We answered the most frequent ones below. If you have any additional questions, please contact Customer Service.

What’s changing?
Valley Regional Transit is now using some of the same vehicles for Access, Beyond Access, and On-Demand services when extra space and drivers are available.

That means:
- In Ada County, Access vehicles can now complete Beyond Access trips when they have capacity.
- In Canyon County, Access vehicles can help complete VRT On-Demand trips.
Your service type (Access, Beyond Access, or On-Demand) stays the same. The main change is that the vehicle that arrives might look different than what you’re used to, and there will likely be more rides available.
Why did VRT start using the same vehicles for different services?
This approach — sometimes called “co-mingling” — is a growing best practice in public transit. By allowing vehicles to serve more than one demand-response service:
- We can fill more seats that would otherwise go unused.
- We can reduce wait times and complete more trips.
- We can make better use of every mile our vehicles travel.
- We can support On-Demand service in Canyon County, which often fills up quickly.
Our goal is to provide more reliable, efficient service while still meeting all ADA requirements for Access riders.
Are my services or fares changing?
No. Service areas, fares, and eligibility are not changing.
- Access stays the ADA paratransit service for riders who qualify under federal guidelines.
- Beyond Access remains a no-cost regional service for adults 60+ and people with disabilities within its service area.
- VRT On-Demand remains a zone-based service for the general public, with the same fares as before.
You will still book Access, Beyond Access, and On-Demand the same way you do today.
Will my eligibility or how I qualify for Access/Beyond Access change?
No. The way you qualify for Access and Beyond Access does not change. If you were eligible before, you remain eligible now.
Will Beyond Access still be free?
Yes. Beyond Access trips are still free for eligible riders, even if an Access-branded vehicle picks you up. Your fare is based on the service you booked, not the logo or decals on the side of the vehicle.
If an Access vehicle picks me up for a Beyond Access ride, do I have to pay?
No. If you booked a Beyond Access ride:
- Your trip is still a Beyond Access trip.
- Your ride is still free, even if an Access vehicle arrives.
- The driver may confirm your name and trip type before boarding.
If an Access vehicle picks me up for an On-Demand trip, how do I pay?
If you booked a VRT On-Demand trip in Canyon County and an Access vehicle arrives:
- Your trip is still an On-Demand trip.
- You will pay the same On-Demand fare as usual.
- You can pay with:
  - Umo, or
  - Cash (exact fare), and
  - During the first weeks, drivers will visually check valid paper passes and allow riders to board while VRT evaluates a long-term solution.
VRT encourages riders to switch to Umo for an easier, account-based way to pay and to take advantage of fare capping, which gives you unlimited-ride pricing once you reach a payment threshold.
What might look different about my ride?
You may notice:
- An Access-branded van completing a Beyond Access trip in Ada County.
- An Access-branded van completing an On-Demand trip in Canyon County.
- Slightly different fare equipment on board (for example, no traditional farebox).
VRT is also:
- Removing some service-specific decals from vehicles so that riders can simply look for VRT.
- Adding bike racks to Access vehicles that support On-Demand so riders can have a more consistent experience.
Even if the vehicle looks different, your service type, fares, and eligibility are the same.
What if I use a wheelchair or mobility device?
Accessibility remains a priority.
- Access riders will continue to be served by vehicles that meet ADA requirements.
- Beyond Access and On-Demand riders who need an accessible vehicle will continue to receive one when they book a trip that requires it.
Sharing vehicles does not remove accessibility options; it simply allows VRT to assign the best available vehicle that meets your needs.
Will Access riders lose service because of this change?
No. ADA paratransit riders will continue to be served by Access vehicles as usual, maintaining all ADA requirements and priorities. Access vehicles will only complete Beyond Access or On-Demand trips when there is available capacity and after ADA commitments are met.

This change is intended to strengthen the system, not reduce ADA service.
How will this affect my wait time for rides?
In the short term, there may be some adjustment as we get used to new options and the system learns to provide rides based on efficient access. Over time, sharing vehicles is expected to:
- Reduce wait times on many trips.
- Increase the number of completed rides.
- Provide more consistent service throughout the day, especially for VRT On-Demand in Canyon County.
Will I still be able to bring my bike on On-Demand trips in Canyon County?
Yes, bike access remains an important part of On-Demand.

During the transition, equipment may vary by vehicle. If you have specific questions about bringing a bike on your trip, please contact Customer Service.