VRT seeks feedback with open house, public hearing, and survey on proposed service changes in Nampa and Caldwell

VRT is seeking feedback and inviting the public to an open house and public hearing on proposed changes to transit services in Nampa and Caldwell, including the removal of Route 40 from Nampa and an update to the VRT On-Demand service model.

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Open House, Public Hearing, & Survey

The open house, which will allow the public to view proposed route maps and talk with VRT staff, and public hearing, which will allow the public to submit a formal testimony, will be held in the PacificSource North room of the Nampa Civic Center on Monday, June 22, 2026. Details are as follows:

• Monday, June 22, 2026
• Open House – 3:30 p.m.
• Public Hearing – 5:00 p.m.
• Nampa Civic Center, PacificSource North Room (311 3rd St. S, Nampa, ID 83651)
• There will be a virtual option for those who cannot attend in person.
• The Nampa Civic Center can be accessed on VRT On-Demand and Route 42 Happy Day – Towne Square Mall, both of which serve bus stop CN059 in front of the facility.

VRT is also taking feedback with a survey, which can be found at ridevrt.org/Nampa-Caldwell. The survey will close July 3.

Feedback from the open house, public hearing, and survey will be shared with Nampa and Caldwell city council members, who will determine budgets that drive service decisions.

Service proposal

VRT On-Demand

The goal of VRT On-Demand is to share trips amongst multiple riders where possible to make the service efficient. In some cases, providing a trip with the current model isn’t the most efficient option. While the service area and hours of service would remain the same, the new VRT On-Demand would use a combination of microtransit (smaller vehicles and vans for shared trips) and a ride hail service (like Uber and Lyft for individual trips).

• Microtransit: Under the proposed changes, VRT On-Demand would use smaller vans and new operating staff, which is expected to reduce operating costs by more than 40%. Bus fares would remain the same as they are today, and there may be an opportunity to pay for fares within the VRT Booking app in addition to the farebox. Trip requests that wouldn’t be able to be shared with other riders would be shifted to a ride hail provider.
• Ride Hail: This service would be used for trips that are harder to share (usually longer trips or trips under one mile) and would have a small upcharge (+ $0.50) from regular fare. Riders would be able to book and pay for this trip within the VRT Booking app.

Whether a VRT On-Demand trip uses microtransit or a ride hail service will be determined during the booking process and based on which is most efficient for that trip.

Route 40 Caldwell/Boise Express

Route 40 would no longer stop in Nampa, but serve from downtown Caldwell to CWI and the fairgrounds, then proceed to I-84 at Franklin Road, where it would continue on its current route. The number of trips on Route 40 would remain the same.

More information

Each summer, as we develop a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, VRT requests funding from partner agencies to run operations and capital projects.

This year, the City of Nampa asked VRT 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. This proposal costs $498,522 and aligns with the city’s request.

Our aim is to work within the budget outlined by the City of Nampa while maintaining a best practice service model, providing as much service for Nampa residents as possible, and maintain service continuity for existing Caldwell riders.

VRT anticipates the following impacts to riders under the proposed changes:

• Nampa riders: Nampa would lose direct access to downtown Boise and Boise State on Route 40. Nampa residents would have to use VRT On-Demand or Park & Rides in Caldwell or Meridian to access Route 40. Residents could also access Route 40 by taking Route 42 to Overland & Black Marlin. Route 42 will continue to connect with other Boise services at Towne Square Mall.
• Caldwell riders and CWI access: Caldwell riders will no longer have direct access to CWI. Caldwell riders will have to use VRT On-Demand or catch Route 42 at the Happy Day Transit Center to get to CWI.
• Accessible rides: Riders on VRT On-Demand will be offered ride hail options if it’s more efficient. These services are typically not accessible, so passengers with mobility devices may need wait for a VRT On-Demand trip.
• More seats available on VRT On-Demand: Shifting long or short trips from VRT On-Demand to a ride hail service will allow VRT On-Demand to focus on shared and accessible rides. We expect there could be as many as 25% of the total VRT On-Demand trip requests that would be provided by a ride hail service. This change may increase the availability of VRT On-Demand service, resulting in quicker booking and shorter wait times.
• Ridership: We anticipate a loss in ridership on Route 40 due to loss of Nampa riders. Currently approximately 17% of Route 40 riders board in Nampa. Nampa ridership loss could be offset by more Caldwell riders attracted to a faster trip to Boise. Travel time between Caldwell and Boise is expected to reduced by approximately 15 minutes). We also anticipate growth on Route 42 as Nampa and Caldwell riders shift from Route 40.

A summary of the proposed changes and link to the online survey can be found at ridevrt.org/Nampa-Caldwell. Adopted changes to service are expected to be implemented in October 2026.