Planning

Fleet Electrification and Charging Infrastructure

VRT is installing electric charging infrastructure at the Orchard Maintenance Facility. This infrastructure is the first step toward electrifying VRT’s fixed route fleet. Construction of the electric infrastructure began in August of 2020. The first all-electric battery powered vehicles will arrive in the spring of 2021. By the end of 2021 VRT will have up to 12 electric buses from Proterra to complement our existing CNG fleet at the Orchard Facility. These 35-foot long buses will serve existing routes in the City of Boise and Ada County and are planned to service future routes in Meridian and Eagle.

Orchard Facility Master Plan

The Orchard Street Maintenance facility is VRT’s main maintenance, parking, and staging facility for VRT. The facility was developed in the 1990’s and is in need of various upgrades. The Orchard Facility Master Plan (OFMP) is being developed to guide VRT in upgrading the Orchard facility to improve drainage, accommodate electric vehicles, and a larger fleet, and transition away from Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). VRT is planning to start parking lot improvements, and drainage upgrades for the facility starting in 2021.

Main and Fairview Transit Island Project

The Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC), is working with the City of Boise, the Ada County Highway District (ACHD) and VRT to reduce vehicle, bicycle and transit conflicts on Main and Fairview between Whitewater Park Blvd and 17th Street. Installing transit islands in this corridor will reduce conflicts between travelers and make room for improved transit amenities in this quickly developing corridor.

Bus Stop Improvements

VRT is continuously addressing bus stops and transit locations based on ridership, physical conditions, and route needs. In 2020, the focus was to correct bus stop locations, which did not meet the standards for Americans with Disabilities (ADA), and to upgrade sites with high ridership. The second priority was to identify new stop locations for route changes in Canyon County and for expanded services to Eagle on the Route 9X line. Future projects will include replacing obsolete shelters, repairing concrete, and improving amenities (trash receptacles, bike racks, etc).

Transportation Development Plan

VRT is in the process of developing its first ever Transportation Development Plan (TDP). The TDP will serve as the five-year service and capital work plan for VRT. VRT staff presented a draft TDP to the board during the development of the FY2021 budget. VRT staff anticipates furthering the TDP through the development of the FY2022 budget. The TDP provides the opportunity for VRT to align priorities and investments in the region for the public transportation system.

State Street Projects

VRT is working with city, county and regional governments to develop a transit priority corridor on State Street. These investments are consistent with planning efforts that have occurred along the corridor such as the 2011 State Street Transit and Traffic Operations Plan. Current projects include the State Street Alternatives Analysis and the State Street Transit Operational Analysis. Additional information about these and other State Street projects can be found on The Build a Better State Street website.

View the Build a Better State Street website

2021 Coordinated Human Services Plan

Federal transit law requires that projects selected for funding under the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 program be derived from a locally developed Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan (or “Coordinated Plan”). This plan will engage public transportation and human service providers in identifying the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people with low incomes. This plan will provide strategies for meeting those needs and prioritize transportation services for funding and implementation.

ValleyConnect 2.0

ValleyConnect 2.0 contains VRT’s goals and policies for public transportation. It also identifies service and capital needs necessary to stay on track with the regions long range transportation plan. Taken together it is a plan to connect more people to more places with more frequent, faster service.

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Fiscal Year 2022 Service Updates

VRT is working with its funding partners to identify what service changes my take place during fiscal year 2022.

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Meridian Fixed-Route Servce

VRT has been working with the City of Meridian, local businesses, and the general public to develop a new route serving the heart of Meridian.

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