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May 01 1:00 AM

Route 2 bus 752 is running 12 down due to traffic

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May 01 1:00 AM

Route 21 bus 751 is running 11 down due to traffic

16

May 01 1:00 AM

Route 16 bus 755 is running 11 down due to traffic

4

May 01 1:00 AM

Route 4 bus 706 is running 10 down due to traffic

20

May 01 1:00 AM

Route 20 bus 708 is running 10 down due to traffic

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May 01 1:00 AM

Route 9 bus 803 is running 10 down due to traffic

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May 01 1:00 AM

Route 20 bus 758 is running 10 down due to traffic

3

May 01 1:00 AM

Route 3 bus 752 is running 10 down due to traffic

29

May 01 1:00 AM

Route 29 bus 755 is running 15 down due to traffic

5

May 01 1:00 AM

Route 5 bus 759 is running 10 down due to traffic

2

May 01 1:00 AM

Route 2 bus 757 is running 10 down due to traffic

9

April 28 12:00 AM

Inbound stop on State and 11th is closed, temporary stop placed at State and 12th near side.

4 5

April 16 5:00 AM

Inbound stops at Americana & Ann Morrison and Americana & Shoreline closed. Temp stop placed far side of Shoreline. No temp stop placed for Ann Morrison, please use American & Latah stop if needed.

4 5

April 16 5:00 AM

Outbound stops at Americana & Shoreline and Americana & Ann Morrison closed. Temp stop placed far side of Ann Morrison. No temp stop placed for Shoreline, please use River & 15th stop if needed.

9

April 15 4:00 AM

Inbound State and Pierce Park stop closed, no temp placed due to construction.

March 20 6:00 AM

Stop at CWI Main Campas in Nampa will be closed due to construction. Temporary stop will be in the parking lot in front of the Main Academic Building

March 02 1:00 AM

Route 16: Stops on 1st & Idaho and 1st & Bannock will be closed. Please use the bus stop on Main & 1st.

Home > Planning > Main Street Station Electrification

Main Street Station Electrification

VRT’s Main Street Station is right in the heart of downtown Boise, a high-energy transit center and the site of an electrifying infrastructure project that’s shaping the future of public transit in our region.

Charging Forward

We're electrifying transit in downtown Boise with on-route charging at Main Street Station.

Electrifying the Future of Public Transit

Since opening in 2016, Main Street Station has been the underground epicenter of public transit in downtown Boise, serving most local routes from an accessible, welcoming, and efficient hub that featuring an indoor waiting area, public restrooms, a customer service desk, public art, and a bicycle locker. Since then, Main Street Station has continued to evolve as VRT’s flagship transit center and community asset:

2019: The journey toward electrification began when VRT was awarded $3 million from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the purchase of VRT’s first battery-electric buses, which began service in 2021 – the first electric buses in Idaho.

2021: The City of Boise adopted its Climate Action Roadmap and VRT committed to further expansion of battery electric buses.

Spring 2022: VRT received $1.92 million for three 35-foot electric buses to replace compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. As VRT began diversifying the way buses are powered, so came the need for an on-route charging facility to support the electric part of the fleet. Main Street Station was identified as a critical charging facility for VRT services in VRT’s electrification transition plan.

Fall 2022: VRT received a $17.4 million Low or No Emission Vehicle grant from the FTA to purchase more battery electric vehicles and fund the construction activities necessary transform Main Street Station into a charging depot, including a significant power upgrade from a new transformer and electrical switch gear to power the overhead chargers.

2025: VRT began substantial construction at Main Street Station to install on route overhead electric charging infrastructure, a new layer of capability for this downtown hub. Buses normally boarding downstairs were temporarily relocated to nearby stops along 9th Street and Main Street while installation progressed, with station amenities like the waiting area and Customer Service remaining open to riders.

For more than a decade, Main Street Station has anchored Valley Regional Transit’s mission to connect riders across Boise and the Treasure Valley – and now, it’s electric.

Read more about the project and partners

How It Works: Power, Precision, and Pantographs

At the core of the Main Street Station charging system are four pantographic chargers, rapid-charging arms that descend from the ceiling and connect to batteries on the roof of the bus. The pantographs deliver a high-voltage boost when buses return to Main Street Station and during driver breaks, giving the vehicles enough range to complete their trips. Rather than sending buses back to the Ada County Operations & Maintenance Facility, located near the Boise Airport, the quick charge at MSS increases efficiency and reduces wear-and-tear. The system also integrates smart software that balances energy loads and reports diagnostics in real-time.

Funding the Future: Local and Federal Support

Main Street Station electrification was made possible by a combination of competitive federal grants and local match contributions from local partners.

VRT was awarded a $17.4 million Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Low or No Emission Vehicle Program grant in 2022, funding the new charging infrastructure and the purchase of seven 35’ GILLIG battery-electric buses.

VRT also leveraged other awards, including a U.S. Department of Transportation RAISE grant supporting system-wide corridor and charger improvements.

The Big Picture

The Main Street Station electrification is more than a standalone upgrade. It’s a culmination of planning, funding, and partnerships built over years and fits within a larger vision for more efficient public transportation by:

  • Leveraging federal grants that began with VRT’s first electric buses and charging infrastructure award, enabling later projects like overhead on‑route chargers.
  • Aligning with route-specific upgrades, such as State Street improvements under the RAISE program, that connect high‑quality transit into broader regional mobility goals.
  • Paving the way for additional system improvements. In July 2024, VRT was awarded a competitive FTA Bus and Bus Facilities Grant for the proposed Towne Square Mall Transit Center Electrification and Rehabilitation Project, including new electric buses, electric charging infrastructure, and upgraded passenger and operator amenities.
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