February 11 1:00 AM
Due to detour, inbound stops at Capitol and University, Capitol and Cesar Chavez, and Capitol and River will be closed until further notice. Temporary stop will be placed at Capitol and Boise Ave.
Due to detour, inbound stops at Capitol and University, Capitol and Cesar Chavez, and Capitol and River will be closed until further notice. Temporary stop will be placed at Capitol and Boise Ave.
Due to construction route will detour using University to Broadway. All inbound stops between on University and Main Street Station are closed. A temporary stop has been placed on Lincoln at University.
Due to construction both inbound routes 4 and 5 are on detour. From River, Left on 11th, Right on Myrtle, Left on Capitol. Stop at Capitol and River will be missed. No temp stops placed.
Due to road work in the area Inbound route 24 stop on Ustick and Shamrock is closed and no temp stop placed.
Due to construction on State and Pierce Park area both stops on inbound and outbound sides are closed and no temp stops.
Due to road closure on 8th Street OB route will be on detour from 5th Street to Fort Street. Stop on 8th and Franklin will be closed, no temp stop placed. Please go to next open stop to catch route 10.
For the outbound routes 2, 16 and 17 stop on Main and 3rd is closed for long term, please use stop on Main and 1st. Thank you.
Due to road construction, route 16 is on detour. Stops on 1st/Idaho and 1st/Bannock will be closed, use stop on Main and 1st.
As we settle into the new bus network after Change Day, the VRT team has reviewed bus arrival times and identified schedule updates to four routes, effective Monday, July 29. Changes to routes 7 Fairview, 20 Orchard, 21 Cole/Glenwood, and 24 Ustick/Maple Grove will keep buses running on time, allow riders to get to destinations faster, and reduce wait times.
Riders can track their bus with VRT’s ETA Spot app. Changes include:
Toward Towne Square Mall
Buses will be scheduled to arrive at major stops up to 7 minutes earlier
Toward Main Street Station
Buses will be scheduled to arrive at major stops 3-4 minutes earlier
See schedule (effective July 29)
Toward 36th & Shasta
Buses will be scheduled to arrive at major stops 1-2 minutes earlier
Toward Boise Airport
Buses will be scheduled to arrive at major stops 1-9 minutes earlier
See schedule (effective July 29)
Toward Gary & Bunch
Buses will be scheduled to arrive at major stops 1-4 minutes earlier
Toward Towne Square Mall
Buses will be scheduled to arrive at major stops 3-16 minutes earlier
See schedule (effective July 29)
Toward Records & Village
Buses will be scheduled to arrive at major stops 4-7 minutes earlier
Toward Towne Square Mall
Buses will be scheduled to arrive at major stops 4-6 minutes earlier
VRT regularly analyzes ridership, travel patterns, and development; we also engage with riders, funding partners, and stakeholders to develop service change proposals. VRT makes adjustments to ensure the transit network is providing the best possible connections across the region. These proposals must be approved by VRT’s Board of Directors.
VRT’s Board of Directors voted to approve the agency’s final bus network redesign on October 2, 2023. The changes were implemented on June 3, 2024.
On April 1, VRT began introducing new bus stop signs and route colors for increased passenger information and stop visibility. Sign updates are the first change within the Better Bus initiative to improve the Treasure Valley’s transit network.
The signs – which are bigger, brighter, and feature more passenger information – aim to make navigating VRT’s bus network more user-friendly and visible. Stops will also feature information boxes with details about each bus route and information about tools to help riders navigate the system, such as VRT’s ETA Spot app for live-tracking buses and the Umo Mobility app for trip planning and account-based fare payment.
With this update, routes will be color-coded based on how often a bus arrives, providing riders with a quick reference and simple way to recognize bus routes and arrivals. New colors will be visible on both the redesigned bus stop signs and route maps.
Change Day System Map (Interactive Fullscreen) Change Day System Map (PDF)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
5:40 AM – 9:20 AM | 30 min |
9:20 AM – 3:40 PM | 60 min |
3:40 PM – 9:50 PM | 30 min |
SATURDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
6:30 AM – 9:50 PM | 60 min |
2 Broadway Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
6:00 AM – 6:45 AM | 30 min |
6:45 AM – 8:45 AM | 15 min |
8:45 AM – 4:00 PM | 30 min |
4:00 PM – 8:30 PM | 15 min |
8:30 PM – 9:40 PM | 30 min |
SATURDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
7:25 AM – 8:40 PM | 30 min |
3 Vista Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
6:30 AM – 7:20 PM | 60 min |
SATURDAY |
|
No Saturday service |
4 Franklin Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
6:15 AM – 9:15 AM | 30 min |
9:15 AM – 3:30 PM | 60 min |
3:30 PM – 7:15 PM | 30 min |
SATURDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
8:00 AM – 6:40 PM | 60 min |
5 Emerald Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
5:15 AM – 9:45 AM | 15 min |
9:45 AM – 3:30 PM | 30 min |
3:30 PM – 7:15 PM | 15 min |
7:15 PM – 10:00 PM | 30 min |
SATURDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
8:15 AM – 9:00 PM | 30 min |
7 Fairview Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
5:15 AM – 10:15 AM | 15 min |
10:15 AM – 2:45 PM | 30 min |
2:45 PM – 6:45 PM | 15 min |
6:45 PM – 10:00 PM | 30 min |
SATURDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
7:45 AM – 9:00 PM | 30 min |
9 State Street Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
|
Toward State & Ellens Ferry | 1 AM trip & 3 PM trips |
Toward Main Street Station | 2 AM trips & 2 PM trips |
SATURDAY |
|
No Saturday service |
10 Hill Road Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
9:15 AM – 5:50 PM | 60 min |
SATURDAY |
|
No Saturday service |
16 VA/15th St Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
6:45 AM – 6:30 PM | 60 min |
SATURDAY |
|
No Saturday service |
17 Warm Springs/Parkcenter Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
6:00 AM – 8:30 AM | 30 min |
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM | 60 min |
4:30 PM – 9:20 PM | 30 min |
SATURDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
7:00 AM – 10:00 PM | 60 min |
20 Orchard Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
6:30 AM – 8:30 PM | 30 min |
SATURDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | 60 min |
21 Cole/Glenwood Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
7:30 AM – 7:30 PM | 60 min |
SATURDAY |
|
No Saturday service |
24 Ustick/Maple Grove Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
7:15 AM – 6:45 PM | 60 min |
SATURDAY |
|
No Saturday service |
28 Cole/Victory Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
6:45 AM – 9:45 AM | 30 min |
9:45 AM – 2:45 PM | 60 min |
2:45 PM – 7:15 PM | 30 min |
SATURDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
8:15 AM – 7:15 PM | 60 min |
29 Overland Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
Toward Wayfinder & Vanguard | 3 AM trips & 4 PM trips |
Toward River Valley & Records | 3 AM trips & 5 PM trips |
SATURDAY |
|
No Saturday service |
30 Pine Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
Toward Boise | 3 AM trips & 1 PM trips |
Toward Caldwell | 1 AM trips & 4 PM trips |
SATURDAY |
|
No Saturday service |
40 Caldwell/Boise Express Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
6:20 AM – 8:00 PM | 60 min |
SATURDAY |
|
No Saturday service |
42 Happy Day – Towne Square Mall Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
A BUS COMES EVERY |
Toward University & Joyce | 3 AM trips & 4 PM trips |
Toward CWI Main Campus | 3 AM trips & 4 PM trips |
SATURDAY |
|
No Saturday service |
45 Boise State – CWI Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
ON-DEMAND AVAILABLE |
6:00 AM – 8:00 PM | by request |
SATURDAY |
|
No Saturday service |
150 Nampa/Caldwell On-Demand Route Brochure (June 2024)
MONDAY-FRIDAY |
ON-DEMAND AVAILABLE |
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM | by request |
SATURDAY |
|
No Saturday service |
160 Eagle On-Demand Route Brochure (June 2024)
VRT Access Service Map (Interactive Fullscreen)
VRT Lyft Pass Service Map (Interactive Fullscreen)
VRT Late Night Service Map (Interactive Fullscreen)
Looking for your old route? Some bus routes have been consolidated to allow us to improve frequency across the system. Check them out below.
Consolidated Service
Adjusted Service (Renamed Route 20 Orchard)
Consolidated Service with Route 7
Consolidated Service with Route 7
Improved Service (Renamed Route 8 Chinden)
Improved Service (Renamed Route 21 Cole/Glenwood)
Consolidated Service
VRT regularly analyzes ridership, travel patterns, and development; we also engage with riders, funding partners, and stakeholders to develop service change proposals. VRT makes adjustments to ensure the transit network is providing the best possible connections across the region. These proposals must be approved by VRT’s Board of Directors.
On October 2, 2023, VRT’s Board of Directors voted to approve the agency’s final bus network redesign after three phases of public outreach throughout the year to guide the redesign process. The changes will be implemented in the summer of 2024.
The final redesign, which represents a fourteen percent increase in total bus service, includes more frequent service on highly used routes in Boise, new bus routes in Caldwell, new Saturday service on select routes, and the revival of services previously slated for elimination. Public input – including more than two thousand points of feedback since April – and additional funding commitments from local partners made the following changes possible:
Areas of negative impact include the loss of service in Boise along Owyhee between Overland and Elder; on Five Mile, McMillan, and Curtis; and on sections of Maple Grove, Milwaukee, and Overland.
NEW OR IMPROVED SERVICE
2, 3, 6, 7B, 8, 8X, 12, 42, 45, 56, 58, Beyond Access
ADJUSTED SERVICE
10, 16, 17, 29, 30, 40, 150, Acess, Lyft Transit Connections, VRT Late Night
SERVICE CONSOLIDATED
1, 4, 7A, 43
NO CHANGE
5, 9, 28, 160
NEW NUMBERS
12 > 21, 6 > 20, 8 > 24
- Route 1 will be consolidated with the Route 17, which will run a one-way loop along Warm Springs to Harris Ranch, returning to downtown Boise along Parkcenter
- Riders can use expanded Lyft Transit Connection, Route 2, and the new Beyond Access service for lost Access service area
- There is no change to where Route 2 runs
- The redesign does extend Saturday service on Route 2, extending the end time from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Departure times from Main Street Station and the Boise Airport are modified to accommodate other changes and improve transfers.
- Route 2 will run from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. weekdays with buses arriving every 30 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and every 60 minutes all other times
- Route 2 will run from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Saturdays, with buses arriving every 60 minutes
The proposal would increase the frequency of bus arrivals on Route 3. There would be no change to where the route runs. There would also be timing changes from Main Street Station and the Boise Airport to provide better connections to other routes.
Weekdays
- Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 9:40 p.m.
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes – 6:40 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.; 4:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Every 30 minutes – all other times
Weekends
- Hours: 7:45 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- Frequency: every 30 minutes
- Previously slated for elimination, Route 4 will be restructured, with the service starting in downtown Boise, following the Route 5 Emerald to Latah, where it will take Latah to Rose Hill before turning west to continue down Rose Hill and Franklin to Towne Square Mall, providing service along Cassia and Allumbaugh with direct connections to Borah and Bishop Kelly High Schools. The revised route 4 will also cover the service provided along Barrister by the route 28 which will be straightened out to remain on Cole to Overland
- Route 4 will be renamed to 4 Franklin
- Riders can use expanded Lyft Transit Connection, Route 3, Route 5, Route 29, and the new Beyond Access service for lost Access service area
- There will be no changes to where the current Route 5 provides services
- The redesign includes modified departure times from Main Street Station and Towne Square Mall to provide better connections to other routes
- Route 5 will run from 6:15 a.m. to 6:55 p.m. weekdays with buses arriving every 30 minutes from 6:15 a.m. to 9:25 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. to 6:55 p.m., and every 60 minutes all other times
- Route 5 will run from 7:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Saturdays, with buses arriving every 60 minutes
- The redesign will renumber the Route 6 to the Route 20
- The redesign will extend service time and restructure the route, providing a north-south route from Hill Road to the Airport via Veterans Memorial Parkway and Orchard Street with stops at Hillside Jr. High, residential areas, Albertson’s, Veteran’s Memorial Park, and the Boise Bench
- The redesign will extend when Route 20 runs on weekdays, running from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. (an improvement from the current 6 p.m. end time) with buses arriving every 30 minutes from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and every 60 minutes all other times
- The redesign will extend when Route 20 runs on Saturdays, running from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. and buses arriving every 60 minutes
- To get downtown, riders on the south end of Orchard can ride to the airport and continue on Route 3 or take Route 20 north to connect with Route 5 or the revised Route 29; riders along Orchard could also take the revised Route 29, which extends directly to downtown Boise, or the revised Route 4 along Franklin, connecting to downtown along Americana and River
- Other transfer options to get to downtown Boise include the new 7 Fairview, 8 Chinden, or 9 State Street
- The redesign will consolidate routes 7B and 7A to a more frequent service called Route 7 Fairview
- Route 7 will run on weekdays from 5:15 a.m. to 9:45 p.m., with buses arriving every 15 minutes from 5:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., and every 30 minutes all other times
- Route 7 will also run on Saturdays from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. with buses arriving every 30 minutes
- Route 7 will use the connector on-ramp at Orchard rather than Curtis to connect with the revised Route 6 (Route 20 Orchard)
- Route 7 will use Cole to return to Fairview from Towne Square Mall, improving transfer opportunities for riders coming north of Fairview to downtown Boise
- The redesign consolidates Route 7A with the 7B and 12. Consolidation with the 7B will create a more frequent service called the 7 Fairview. Consolidations with the 12 will create a more frequent service called the 21 Cole/Glenwood
- Route 7 will run on weekdays from 5:15 a.m. to 9:45 p.m., with buses arriving every 15 minutes from 5:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., and every 30 minutes all other times
- Route 7 will also run on Saturdays from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. with buses arriving every 30 minutes
- Route 7 will use the connector on-ramp at Orchard rather than Curtis to connect with the revised Route 6 (20 Orchard)
- Route 21 will run on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. arriving every 30 minutes
- Route 21 will also run on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., arriving every 60 minutes
- The redesign will consolidate routes 7B and 7A to a more frequent service called Route 7 Fairview
- Route 7 will run on weekdays from 5:15 a.m. to 9:45 p.m., with buses arriving every 15 minutes from 5:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., and every 30 minutes all other times
- Route 7 will also run on Saturdays from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. with buses arriving every 30 minutes
- Route 7 will use the connector on-ramp at Orchard rather than Curtis to connect with the revised Route 6 (Route 20 Orchard)
- Route 7 will use Cole to return to Fairview from Towne Square Mall, improving transfer opportunities for riders coming north of Fairview to downtown Boise
- Route 8 will be renamed Route 24 Ustick/Maple Grove
- Route 24 will be restructured from The Village to Towne Square Mall via Ustick, North Maple Grove, and Emerald with stops at residential areas and within close distance to the DMV; service to the YMCA would be discontinued
- Route 24 will have a longer span, with the end of service increasing from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. during the week with buses running every 60 minutes from 7:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
- Riders will also be able to use the revised Route 42 on Emerald, the expanded Lyft Transit Connection, and Beyond Access for lost Access service area
- The redesign changes Route 8X to the Route 8 Chinden to serve Chinden directly in both directions instead of running in a loop and serving Towne Square Mall, as it does currently
- The restructured route will provide service from the State of Idaho Campus to Main Street Station via Chinden with stops at Glenwood, Orchard, the fairgrounds, Whitewater, and downtown Boise
- Buses will arrive every 30 minutes during the week from 6:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
- Riders will also be able use the new Route 24 on Ustick, revised Route 42 on Emerald, revised Route 45 on Fairview, expanded Lyft Transit Connections, and Beyond Access for lost Access service area
- There is no proposed change to when or where Route 9 provides service
- Route 9 will continue to run on weekdays from 5:15 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., with buses arriving every 15 minutes from 5:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., and every 30 minutes all other times
- Route 9 will also continue to run on Saturdays from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. with buses arriving every 30 minutes
- The Route 10 includes a reduction in span of service with no change to the route
- Based on current ridership demands, the route would provide commute and school service with a shortened morning and afternoon periods arriving downtown at 7:35 a.m. ad 8:35 a.m., and departing downtown at 2:45 p.m., 3:45 p.m., and 4:45 p.m. (please refer to the proposed schedule below)
- The Route 12 is renamed to Route 21 Cole/Glenwood to reflect the proposed restructure of the route, which would offer a new north-south connection from Gary & Gillis to Towne Square Mall via Gary Lane, Glenwood, Goddard, Milwaukee, Ustick, and North Cole
- New stops include residential areas, Ustick Library, Albertson’s, Memorial Stadium, Expo Idaho, Capital High School, and Fairmont Junior High; the restructured route covers a high-ridership stop at Cole & Ustick
- The route includes later weekday service, with buses arriving every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- The route also includes a new Saturday service, with buses arriving every 60 minutes from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Riders could also take the new Route 26, the revised Route 42 on Emerald, the revised Route 45 on Fairview, and the expanded Lyft Transit Connection
- Route 16 will service from Main Street Station to the VA Medical Center via Franklin, South Curtis, and North Robbins with stops in downtown Boise, the Department of Labor, St. Lukes, and the Elks Hospital; the restructured route will no longer serve 9th, Brumback, or Ridenbaugh, moving to 15th St to Highland Hollow and Bogus Basin Road, providing all day service to the North End
- There will be no change to how often Route 16 provides service
- There will be timing changes from Main Street Station to provide better connections to other routes
- Route 16 will run weekdays only, with buses arriving every 60 minutes from 9:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
- Route 17 has been consolidated with the Route 1, running a one-way loop along Warm Springs to Harris Ranch, returning to downtown Boise along Parkcenter
- Route includes modified departure times from Main Street Station to provide better connections to other routes
- Route 17 will run weekdays only from 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., with buses arriving every 60 minutes
- The redesign will extend service time and restructure Route 6, providing a north-south route from Hill Road to the Airport via Veterans Memorial Parkway and Orchard Street with stops at Hillside Jr. High, residential areas, Albertson’s, Veteran’s Memorial Park, and the Boise Bench
- The redesign will renumber the Route 6 to the Route 20
- The redesign will extend when Route 20 runs on weekdays, running from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. (an improvement from the current 6 p.m. end time) with buses arriving every 30 minutes from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and every 60 minutes all other times
- The redesign will extend when Route 20 runs on Saturdays, running from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and buses arriving every 60 minutes
- To get downtown, riders on the south end of Orchard can ride to the airport and continue on Route 3 or take Route 20 north to connect with Route 5 or the revised Route 29; riders along Orchard could also take the revised Route 29, which extends directly to downtown Boise, or the revised Route 4 along Franklin, connecting to downtown along Americana and River
- Other transfer options to get to downtown Boise include the new 7 Fairview, 8 Chinden, or 9 State Street
- The Route 12 is renamed to Route 21 Cole/Glenwood to reflect the proposed restructure of the route, which would offer a new north-south connection from Gary & Gillis to Towne Square Mall via Gary Lane, Glenwood, Goddard, Milwaukee, Ustick, and North Cole
- New stops include residential areas, Ustick Library, Albertson’s, Memorial Stadium, Expo Idaho, Capital High School, and Fairmont Junior High; the restructured route covers a high-ridership stop at Cole & Ustick
- The route includes later weekday service, with buses arriving every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- The route also includes a new Saturday service, with buses arriving every 60 minutes from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Riders could also take the new Route 26, the revised Route 42 on Emerald, the revised Route 45 on Fairview, and the expanded Lyft Transit Connection
- Route 8 will be renamed Route 24 Ustick/Maple Grove
- Route 24 will be restructured from The Village to Towne Square Mall via Ustick, North Maple Grove, and Emerald with stops at residential areas and within close distance to the DMV; service to the YMCA would be discontinued
- Route 24 will have a longer span, with the end of service increasing from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. during the week with buses running every 60 minutes from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Riders will also be able to use the revised Route 42 on Emerald, the expanded Lyft Transit Connection, and Beyond Access for lost Access service area
- A trip will be added in the morning to meet school bell times, as well as timing changes at Towne Square Mall to provide better connections to other routes, and straightening out the route to remain on Cole to Overland, no longer serving Barrister and Allumbaugh, which will be served by the Route 4 Franklin
- There will be no change to how often and how late Route 28 provides service
- Route 28 will run weekdays only, with buses arriving every 60 minutes from 7:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.
- The Route 29 is restructured, offering service from Main Street Station to Towne Square Mall via 9th Street, Capitol, University, Protest, Federal, Overland, and North Cole. This restructure provides Route 6 riders near Orchard and Overland a direct connection to downtown with stops along west Bench residential areas, Albertson’s, BSU, and Idaho State Museum.
- There will be timing changes from Main Street Station and Towne Square Mall to provide better connections to other routes
- There will be no change to how often and how early or late Route 29 runs
- Route 29 will run on weekdays from 7:15 a.m. to 9:45 p.m., with buses arriving every 30 minutes
- Route 29 will also run on Saturdays from 8:45 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. with buses arriving every 60 minutes
- There are no changes to the where or how late Route 30 provides service
- The redesign does reduce service on the 30 and increase service on the 45 to maintain 30-minute service during rush hour between downtown Meridian and The Village
- Route 30 will run weekdays only.
- The change adjusts Route 40, renaming it to the Route 40 Caldwell-Boise Express to reflect the new connection from Simplot Stadium in Caldwell to BSU and downtown Boise with a loop through Garrity Wal-Mart via Nampa/Caldwell Boulevard, Karcher, I-84, and I-184; this changed route combines the current routes 40 and 43
- The change restores the 4:00 p.m. afternoon trip from Boise to Caldwell
- Morning service from Boise to Caldwell is reduced from three (3) trips to one (1); afternoon service from Caldwell to Boise is reduced from three (3) trips to one (1)
- Route 40 would run weekdays only
- This change creates connections with the new Route 56 and with routes 42 and 45
- The redesign restructures Route 42, with service running from Happy Day Transit Center in Caldwell to Towne Square Mall in Boise via Caldwell Boulevard, Garrity, Franklin, and Overland, with stops at Winco, downtown Nampa, Walmart, Ford Idaho Center, CWI, Amazon, the Ten Mile Park & Ride, Roaring Springs, Fred Meyer, and the Boise Police Department; the route will no longer serve the Nampa Marketplace, Cherry, or Birch
- The change increases frequency on Route 40 and creates an all-day intercounty route, with buses arriving every 60 minutes from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays
- Route 43 will be consolidated into the updated Route 40
- Riders can use the updated Route 40, which was extended into Caldwell, or other intercounty routes
- The change restructures Route 45, providing service from CWI to Boise State University via Idaho Center Boulevard, I-84, Ten Mile, Pine, Fairview, Emerald, Towne Square Mall, and Cole
- Proposed stops include College of Western Idaho, Walmart, residential areas along Pine, downtown Meridian, Ten Mile Crossing, Scentsy, Blue Cross of Idaho, The Village at Meridian, Kleiner Park, Towne Square Mall, and Boise State University
- The restructured route directly connects Nampa, downtown Meridian, and Boise, and service is timed with the updated Route 30 to provide bus arrivals every 30 minutes between downtown Meridian and The Village between the two routes
- Morning service is extended to end at 8 a.m. instead of 7 a.m., and afternoon service is expanded to run from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., instead of 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- The changed Route 45 will provide service from 6:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with buses arriving every 60 minutes
- There will also be minor departure changes to better connect with other routes
- Route 56 will be a new route on Cleveland Boulevard, providing service from Caldwell Events Center to Happy Day Transit Center with stops in downtown Caldwell, the Steunenberg residential historic district, College of Idaho, and Walmart
- Route 56 will run weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with buses arriving every 30 minutes all day
- With the revised Route 42, this change restores former bus service along the Nampa/Caldwell Boulevard with connections at Happy Day Transit Center in Caldwell
- Route 58 will be a new route in Caldwell, providing service from the Caldwell Police Station to Happy Day Transit Center, with stops at the Social Security Office, the Caldwell Library, West Valley Medical, YMCA, and Walmart
- The route connects South Caldwell to service on Nampa Caldwell Boulevard at the Happy Day Transit Center
- Route 58 will run weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., with buses arriving every 60 minutes all day
- VRT On-Demand provides corner-to-corner, on-demand bus service where riders are picked up at a nearby location and dropped off near their destination. Riders can book trips through the VRT OnDemand mobile app, website, or by calling the Help Desk.
- The change expands and simplifies the Route 150 boundary to match roadways, making it easier for riders to plan trips
- Service hours from the new routes 56 and 58 will be applied to Route 150 to add more capacity until the service change goes into effect in summer 2024
- There will be no change to the availability of Nampa/Caldwell On-Demand, which will continue to be available Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Riders will also use the new routes 56 and 58 in Caldwell, the updated Route 42, and Beyond Access for lost Access service areas
- VRT On-Demand provides corner-to-corner, on-demand bus service where riders are picked up at a nearby location and dropped off near their destination. Riders can book trips through the VRT OnDemand mobile app, website, or by calling the Help Desk.
- There are no changes to the service area or availability of Eagle On-Demand, which continue to be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Riders can also connect to the routes 8, 9, 21, 24, 30, 40, or 45, or use the expanded Lyft Transit Connections
- Access is VRT’s complementary paratransit service, providing service within ¾ mile on either side of fixed bus routes
- Designed to complement fixed-route and on-demand bus systems, this service is available to people who are unable to utilize the fixed-route or on-demand bus systems because of a disability
- Access is a curb-to-curb transit service for the cities of Boise, Garden City, Nampa, Caldwell, and Meridian, offering service with the same hours as the bus system
- Under the network redesign, the Access service area will be adjusted to match the new locations of the routes
- In areas where bus routes will be eliminated, Access service will also be eliminated; riders will be able to use the new Beyond Access service
- This is a new regional service launching early 2024 for older adults and persons with disabilities that will provide no-cost trips in and between Canyon and Ada counties and offer more transportation options for those that qualify
- Beyond Access unifies a variety of smaller service providers that offer transportation across different service zones, days, and times into a single, regional service available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Lyft Transit Connections is a partnership between VRT and Lyft that provides an affordable rideshare connection to nearby bus stops; the service is available from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday
- Riders enter a promo code before their first trip, and a discount is automatically applied to qualifying rides; riders pay the first $2, and VRT picks up the rest of the tab up to $6
- With the redesign, the Lyft Transit Connections service area will be expanded to cover within two (2) miles of the core bus network within Boise, including southeast Boise, south to the Boise Airport, and west to Cloverdale and The Village
- 33 stops will be available within 2 miles of any location within the service area so riders can reach a fixed route
- Under the redesign, the service hours will expand to weekdays from 5:15 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
On October 2, 2023, VRT implemented schedule changes to the following routes:
Route 30 Pine
Route 40 Nampa – Meridian Express
Route 42 Happy Day Transit Center – Towne Square Mall
Route 43 Caldwell Express
Route 45 Boise State/CWI via Fairview
VRT modified 5 routes, changed timing on 7 routes, and added one new route, effective October 3, 2022.
Route 1 Harris Ranch via Parkcenter
Minor time changes were made to improve on-time performance.
Route 4 Roosevelt
Minor time changes were made to improve on-time performance.
Route 5 Emerald
Minor time changes were made to better align with other routes departing Towne Square Mall.
Route 6 Orchard
Minor time changes were made to improve on-time performance.
Route 7A Fairview/Ustick
The twice-daily extension to Capital High School was eliminated.
- Benefits: faster trip, less mileage, more regular schedule
- Impact: two fewer daily boardings or alightings
Route 7B Fairview/Towne Square Mall
Minor time changes were made to improve on-time performance.
Route 9 State Street
Minor time changes were made to improve on-time performance.
Route 12 Maple Grove
Minor time changes were made to improve on-time performance.
Route 30 Pine
The new 30 Pine connects Ten Mile Crossing to The Village via Pine to provide new service in Meridian and better connect growing regional centers.
Route 40 Nampa/Meridian Express
Two trips (the 6:55 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. inbound trips from the Happy Day Transit Center) were eliminated due to low ridership in addition to a minor reroute from Northside Road to Garrity Boulevard.
- Benefits: Repurposing hours to more productive service on 42 Happy Day to Towne Square Mall (20 percent more productive) and increasing downtown Nampa transit access
Route 42 Happy Day to Towne Square Mall
A midday trip has been added. The additional trip will leave Happy Day Transit Center at 2:20 p.m. and arrive at Towne Square Mall at 3:33 p.m. The bus will leave Towne Square Mall and return to Happy Day at 5:05 p.m.
- Benefits: Adds trip requested by customers and utilizes repurposed hours from Route 40
Route 43 Caldwell Express
The route now goes into service at Happy Day instead of Jefferson Middle School in Caldwell.
- Benefit: Increase access for riders at no cost
Route 45 Boise State/CWI via Fairview
The 45 now reroutes from Interstate 84 to Cherry Lane/Fairview.
- Benefits: Increases transit access for residents by 536%, access to jobs by 118%, and productivity from a previously low-performing service by 70%
- Impact: Longer travel times.
Valley Regional Transit staff has been working towards further improving service as outlined in ValleyConnect 2.0.
The VRT Board of Directors approved service changes that were implemented on October 4, 2021. These changes impact Boise fixed-route and inter-county service.
In response to continued low ridership and the uncertainty of a resurgent COVID variant they also postponed the launch of the 30 Pine route and suspended the Eagle extension on the 9 State Street (see COVID-19 Service Impacts below).
The October 2021 changes move VRT closer to the goals outlined in VC2.0, including improving on-time performance, increasing frequency on premium routes, as well as improving safety for operators and passengers.
These changes include a change at where buses pick up and drop off passengers at Main Street Station. Routes 7A, 7B, 8X, 9, 40 and 43 will stage on Main Street between 9th and 8th streets. Route 1-6, 10, 16 and 17 will stage inside Main Street Station.
The October 2021 service changes impact the following routes:
The Route 7B Fairview Towne Square Mall added three morning peak direction trips from the Towne Square Mall to Main Street Station and four afternoon peak direction trips from Main Street Station to the Towne Square Mall.
Access the schedule additions to Route 7B.
In order to improve the on-time performance and safety of the 7A and 7B, there is a minor reroute of the eastbound 7A and 7B between Curtis Road and Orchard Street. The reroute would utilize the City Center on-ramp on Fairview, just East of Curtis Road. This reroute would avoid the signal at the Curtis Road and Orchard Street intersection, and the unprotected left turn from Orchard Street onto to I-184. This change resulted in the closure of two eastbound stops – Fairview and Laurel and Fairview and Orchard.
Access a map showing the route changes
The Route 11 Garden City ceased operations. To help accommodate riders who are adversely effected by this change, we added select stops from the 11 Garden City to the 8x Five Mile Chinden route to provide additional options to the riders of the 11 Garden City. Also, the majority of the 11 Garden City route was within the Lyft Transit Connections service area. Lyft Transit Connections provides another option for those losing service on the 11. Finally, because the 8X and Route 9 will continue, this change will not impact the ACCESS paratransit service area.
To learn more about other transportation options, you can visit the Share the Ride Idaho website
Access a map showing the new Route 8X stops along Chinden Boulevard
There is a reduction of peak period service on the Route 17 Warm Springs from service every 30 minutes, to service every 60 minutes.
Access a schedule showing the eliminated trips
VRT implemented a minor reroute of the Route 29 Overland near Boise State University to improve travel times as well as safety for riders. Instead of traveling from University Drive to Boise Avenue via Chrisway Drive, the 29 bus now turns left onto Juanita, then travels down Potter Drive and Joyce Street before returning to University Drive to Beacon Street.
Access a map showing the new pathway for Route 29
VRT reduced from two to one both the number of morning trips and afternoon/evening trips. After conducting a targeted survey, VRT staff selected the trips that sixty percent of survey respondents indicated was their preferred choice for trips.
Access a map showing the new schedule for Route 43
In addition, to the above changes, the Board of Directors agreed to the temporary suspension of the additional service on the 9 State Street where it travels to Eagle in the morning and afternoon, as well as the delay of the start of new Route 30 Pine in Meridian. This change was proposed due to the fact ridership has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, as well as the number of confirmed cases of the Delta variant continuing to rise. With the uncertainty about the duration of the pandemic, the start of the new Route 30 Pine and service on the 9 to Eagle will resume when the following conditions are met:
The October 4 startup date for the 30 Pine is delayed. The delay is due in large part to the uncertainty about the Delta variant of COVID-19 and its potential impact on ridership. This service will connect Ten Mile and Franklin to the Village at Fairview Avenue and Eagle Road. The 30 Pine will run on a 30-minute frequency from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and connect to the routes 40 Nampa/Meridian Express and the 42 Happy Day to Towne Square Mall, providing commuters options to connect to Boise, Nampa and Caldwell.
Access a map showing the pathway for the Route 30
The Route 9 State Street has temporarily suspended service to Eagle. Before the changes, the 9 traveled to Eagle four times during the morning and three times in the evening. The suspension of service to Eagle is due in large part to the uncertainty about the Delta variant of COVID-19 and its potential impact on ridership.
Valley Regional Transit (VRT) implemented service changes to ValleyRide bus service on Saturday, May 1, 2021.
The changes involved timing modifications to 11 ValleyRide bus routes. Ten of the affected routes provide fixed-line service in Boise and Garden City, and one provides intercountry service between Nampa, Meridian and Boise. The timing changes are designed to improve on-time performance.
Here are links to the new timing schedules:
Route 1 Harris Ranch via Parkcenter
Route 2 Broadway
Route 3 Vista
Route 5 Emerald
Route 6 Orchard
Routes 7A/7B Fairview
Route 9 State Street
Route 12 Maple Grove
Route 29 Overland
Route 42 Happy Day to Towne Square Mall
Valley Regional Transit (VRT) worked towards improving service in Ada and Canyon County in 2020. Our goal with these changes was to maximize the effectiveness of existing transit resources and connect more people to more places more often. Public transportation is important to the future of Ada County communities and there is public support for and interest in transit. The public wants more transit service during the commute period, in the evening, and on weekends. Transit is viewed as a benefit to employees.
The changes were implemented in two stages:
We wanted to improve on-time performance by reducing the number of time points to roughly 10-minute intervals. All routes have timing adjustments.
This included streamlining schedule design and highlighting the destinations accessible by each route to improve route information for passengers.
All ValleyRide bus routes in Boise/Garden City and intercounty routes had new schedule times beginning October 1, 2020. You can access the new timings for each route below:
Route 1 Harris Ranch Via Parkcenter
Route 2 Broadway
Route 3 Vista
Route 4 Roosevelt
Route 5 Emerald
Route 6 Orchard
Route 7A/B Fairview
Route 8 Five Mile
Route 8X Five Mile/Chinden
Route 9 State Street
Route 10 Hill Road
Route 11 Garden City
Route 12 Maple Grove
Route 16 VA/Hyde Park
Route 17 Warm Springs
Route 28 Cole/Victory
Route 29 Overland
Route 40 Nampa/Meridian Express
Route 42 Happy Day Transit Center/Towne Square Mall
Route 43 Caldwell Express
Route 45 Boise State/CWI Express
Revenue and ridership in Canyon County have not kept up with cost or performance expectations. Attempts to adjust service levels and routes within those resources continue to lead to low quality services and continuing poor system performance. Accordingly, VRT staff evaluated Canyon County local services to determine how those services could be redesigned to be more productive within the limited resources currently available.
VRT researched and evaluated innovative approaches to transit and determined an on-demand transit system has a high probability of achieving the desired results for the services within the existing financial constraints.
VRT staff expects to build new ridership contracts and/or funding partnerships with the expanded service area. Staff also expects to see increased efficiencies and higher ridership revenue over the term of the on-demand pilot term. If this pilot is successful, it will become the model for on demand transit within other VRT service areas.
We closed down routes 51, 52 and 55 and moved from a fixed-route system to an on-demand service in Nampa and Caldwell.