Valley Regional Transit prepares for Change Day on June 3, launching new bus network with fare-free first week

Valley Regional Transit (VRT) is gearing up for a significant milestone as it prepares for Change Day on June 3^rd, which marks the implementation of the new bus network redesign. The redesigned network, which was approved by VRT’s Board of Directors last October, is the culmination of more than a year of planning, collaboration, and public input. To welcome the public to the new service, VRT bus and Access paratransit rides will be fare-free from June 3 to June 8, spanning the first week of service.

“We are thrilled to launch our new bus network on Change Day, which has been designed to provide better connections for our community and enhance the transit experience for riders,” said VRT’s CEO, Elaine Clegg. “I am excited to see the positive impact this will have on the lives of our riders and the future of public transit in our region, and I hope you join me on board!”

The new network features improved bus routes, enhanced bus stop signs, better access to major destinations, improved passenger amenities, and more. The changes aim to streamline travel experiences, reduce wait times, and increase accessibility for all rider and includes:

• Consolidation of less-used bus routes, reducing bus routes from 22 to 19 and allowing for a 12% increase in frequency and a 7% increase in overall service
• Focused frequency improvements along Boise’s “best in class corridors” for routes 3 Vista, 7 Fairview, and 9 State Street
• Connection to more frequent service across the system, with 34% more people near 15-minute bus service and 54% more people near 30-minute bus service
• A new Route 20 Orchard, which provides a new north-south route from the Boise Airport to the Boise foothills at 36^th & Hill Road
• A 160% larger service area for the redesigned VRT Lyft Pass; the Pass provides $2 Lyft rides to and from select bus stops, which grows from 15 stops currently to 62 eligible stops
• Improved intercounty and cross-town connections, with improved transfers between routes and better access to major destinations across the region
• New, color-coded routes, route brochures, and bus stop signs for better visibility and the addition of route details at each stop to improve passenger information

Significant public input guided the redesign process and, with funding support from the City of Boise, VRT maintained service previously slated for removal, including service to: southeast Boise with a redesigned Route 17, north Boise with restructured routes 10 Hill Road and 16 VA-15^th Street, and the Central Bench with a modified Route 4, serving Borah High School and sections of Latah.

VRT designed these changes to provide improved transit for the majority of the community. Improvement projects such as VRT’s ETA Spot app for live-tracking buses, the Umo Mobility app for trip planning and mobile fare payment, and onboard passenger information screens have also been implemented to improve the passenger experience.

Riders may notice some bus stop signs that have already been replaced. All remaining bus stop signs will be replaced the weekend before Change Day. There will also be temporary stop signs placed on new locations along the expanded routes. These will be in place until summer when VRT completes the installation of permanent signage.

As Change Day approaches, VRT encourages passengers to stay informed and familiarize themselves with the upcoming changes. Information regarding the service changes, including updated schedules and route maps, are available on VRT’s website and at Customer Service desks at Main Street Station in downtown Boise, VRT’s headquarters in Meridian, and the Happy Day Transit Center in Caldwell.

VRT is providing additional resources to ensure riders are prepared for the new network, including:

• Trip planning assistance and shareable content at ridevrt.org/toolkit, where rides can submit a trip plan request, download shareable graphics, and print Change Day materials to help us spread the word
• An interactive map to explore the new bus network at ridevrt.org/cdmap
• In-person support at VRT’s Customer Service desk, community events, and pop-up engagements so riders can interact with VRT staff, get trip planning help, and pick up VRT swag – the events list is available at ridevrt.org/events
• Ambassadors riding throughout the bus system to share change information, new route brochures, and help riders navigate the change

Related stories:

• Get ready for Change Day! (May 14, 2024)
• Caldwell City Council votes down new bus routes, maintains current service (April 5, 2024)
• Valley Regional Transit to update bus stop signs, route colors (March 29, 2024)
• Valley Regional Transit Board approves final network redesign for service increases, frequency-focused system (October 2, 2023)
• Valley Regional Transit releases final bus network redesign proposal for public comment (August 8, 2023)
• Valley Regional Transit extends bus network update due to extensive community feedback, improved funding outlook (June 14, 2023)
• Valley Regional Transit proposes bus network redesign, seeks public feedback (May 1, 2023)
• Valley Regional Transit seeks feedback for a Better Bus system (April 4, 2023)