Service Change Archives

Change Day: Monday, June 8

Main Street Station

Starting Monday, June 8, VRT began using the electric chargers at Main Street Station, and most routes are underground at the Lower Deck.

• Upper Deck: Routes 8, 10, and 40 serve at the Upper Deck. Due to construction, these routes are temporarily located at 9th & Main.
• Lower Deck: Routes 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 16, 17, and 29 serve at the Lower Deck.

Schedules & Stops

On June 8, 2026, we updated schedules and timepoints to improve on‑time performance and make transfers easier. We also trimmed a few low‑ridership trips and closing bus stops that are close together to keep buses moving smoothly.

2 Broadway

Schedule adjustments

• Minor schedule adjustments
• Changed departure times at Boise Airport

Stop closures

• AB200 Broadway & Dundee
• AB204 Broadway & Iowa

3 Vista

Schedule adjustments

• Minor schedule adjustments
• Changed departure times at Boise Airport

Stop closures

• AB 296 Vista and Cherry
• AB297 Vista and Cherry

4 franklin

Schedule adjustments

• Minor schedule adjustments
• Changed departure times at Boise Airport

Main Street Station

• Moved to the Lower Deck at Main Street Station

New schedule (effective June 8, 2026)

7 fairview

Schedule adjustments

• Removed two morning weekday trips due to low ridership (5:15 AM and 5:30 AM toward Towne Square Mall)
  Removed one evening weekday trip due to low ridership (9:45 PM toward Main Street Station)

Main Street Station

• Moved to the Lower Deck at Main Street Station

New schedule (effective June 8, 2026)

8 chinden

Schedule adjustments

• Minor schedule adjustments
• Removed one morning trip due to low ridership (6:15 AM toward State of Idaho Chinden Campus)
• Changed afternoon departure times

Main Street Station

• Continuing to serve the Upper Deck at Main Street Station

New schedule (effective June 8, 2026)

9 state street

Schedule adjustments

• Removed three morning weekday trips due to low ridership (5:15 AM, 5:30 AM, and 6:00 AM toward Gary & State)

Main Street Station

• Moved to the Lower Deck at Main Street Station

New schedule (effective June 8, 2026)

10 Hill Road

Schedule adjustments

• Minor schedule adjustments
• Changed afternoon departure times from Main Street Station
• The 5:23 PM trip toward Main Street Station will end service at Collister & Johns Landing

Main Street Station

• Continuing to serve the Upper Deck at Main Street Station

New schedule (effective June 8, 2026)

16 VA / 15th St

Schedule adjustments

• Minor schedule adjustments

Main Street Station

• Moved to the Lower Deck at Main Street Station

New schedule (effective June 8, 2026)

17 Warm Springs / Parkcenter

Schedule adjustments

• Minor schedule adjustments

Main Street Station

• Moved to the Lower Deck at Main Street Station

New schedule (effective June 8, 2026)

20 Orchard

Schedule adjustments

• Minor schedule adjustments
• Removed two evening weekday round trips (trips departing 36th & Shasta at 7:32 PM and the Boise Airport at 8:01 PM)

New schedule (effective June 8, 2026)

30 pine

Schedule adjustments

• Removed one morning and one evening trip (7:57 AM toward River Valley & Records, and 6:26 PM toward River Valley & Records)

New schedule (effective June 8, 2026)

40 Caldwell/Boise Express

Schedule adjustments

• Minor schedule adjustments

Stop changes

• Designated stops at Overland & Linder as major bus stops* instead of Overland & Black Marlin (AM023) and Overland & Blue Marlin (AM024). This change will provide a safer location for buses to wait if they arrive early.

Main Street Station

• Continuing to serve the Upper Deck at Main Street Station

*VRT’s major bus stops appear as numbers on route schedules; we use them to make sure buses stay on time. 

New schedule (effective June 8, 2026)

42 Happy Day–Towne Square Mall

Schedule adjustments

• Minor schedule adjustments

Route adjustments

• Adjusted departure from Towne Square Mall

Stop changes

• Designated stops at Overland & Linder as major bus stops* instead of Overland & Black Marlin (AM023) and Overland & Blue Marlin (AM024). This change will provide a safer location for buses to wait if they arrive early.

*VRT’s major bus stops appear as numbers on route schedules; we use them to make sure buses stay on time. 

New schedule (effective June 8, 2026)

45 Boise State–CWI

Schedule adjustments

• Changed afternoon departure times at CWI

Route adjustments

• Adjusted departure from Towne Square Mall

Stop changes

• Added stop AB327 Beacon & Manitou (formerly only served by Route 40)

New schedule (effective June 8, 2026)

On Monday, September 29th, VRT added an extra trip on Route 10 Hill Road, installed a new bus stop downtown, and relocated a bus stop on Route 3 Vista to add travel options, improve access to key destinations, and make connections more convenient.

VRT added an afternoon trip on Route 10 to respond to public feedback.

New departure: 5:45 p.m. from Main Street Station

Other key times:

• Hill & 16th at 5:57 p.m.
• 36th & Shasta at 6:03 p.m.
• State & Ellen’s Ferry at 6:11 p.m.

Previously, the last trip left downtown at 4:45 p.m.

A new bus stop was installed at the northwest corner of State Street and 7th Street for Route 9 State Street and Route 10 Hill Road. This new stop improved access to destinations like the Idaho State Capitol, Cecil D. Andrus Park, and surrounding offices and businesses.

To improve stop pairing and rider convenience, we moved bus stop AB306 at Vista & Spaulding one block north near the crosswalk at Vista & Nez Perce.

Valley Regional Transit made schedule adjustments to select routes effective June 2, 2025 to improve on-time performance.

While the arrival time for the first major stops of each trip will remain the same, many of the intermediate major stop arrivals will shift to better reflect actual travel times for more reliable arrivals.

We encourage passengers to check bus schedules below in anticipation of the change.

Route 2 Broadway

View schedule (effective 6/2)

Route 3 Vista

View schedule (effective 6/2)

Route 4 Franklin

View schedule (effective 6/2)

Route 5 Emerald

View schedule (effective 6/2)

Route 8 Chinden

View schedule (effective 6/2)

Route 10 Hill Road

View schedule (effective 6/2)

Route 16 VA/15th Street

View schedule (effective 6/2)

Route 17 Warm Springs/Parkcenter

View schedule (effective 6/2)

Route 20 Orchard

View schedule (effective 6/2)

Route 21 Cole/Glenwood

View schedule (effective 6/2)

Route 24 Ustick/Maple Grove

View schedule (effective 6/2)

Route 29 Overland

View schedule (effective 6/2)

Route Caldwell/Boise Express

View schedule (effective 6/2)

Route 42 Happy Day – Towne Square Mall

View schedule (effective 6/2)

Route 45 Boise State – CWI

View schedule (effective 6/2)

Route 8

On June 2, Route 8 began using the same route all day instead of changing directions in the afternoon.

Route 10

Instead of ending service at 6:45 p.m. at State & Ellens Ferry, the 10 now extends the last trip to Collister and Johns Landing NWC.

Stop adjustments

Caldwell Blvd & Hoffman Ln

This stop now serves Route 42

CN051

Garrity Blvd & E Flamingo Ave SEC

Bus stop CN087 has been relocated further south on Garrity, renamed Garrity Blvd & Stamm Ln NEC, and serves Route 42

Route 9

In response to rider feedback, VRT renamed the last major stop “State & Gary” instead of “Gary & Bunch” to align with major roads.

VRT regularly analyzes ridership, travel patterns, and development. We also engage with riders, funding partners, and stakeholders to develop service change proposals to ensure the transit network provides the best connections across the region.

As with any large service change, tweaks are necessary as we settle into our new bus system. VRT implemented the below service adjustments on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

Route 2 BROADWAY

Adjusted bus arrival times to improve on-time performance:

• Main Street Station departures are now at :15 and :45 after the hour. Other major stop times also change accordingly.
• Airport departures are now at :08 and :38 after the hour. Other major stop times also change accordingly.

Route Brochure (September 2024)

Route 3 vista

Adjusted bus arrival times to improve on-time performance:

• Airport departure times are now at :10 and :40 after the hour throughout the day. Other major stop times also change accordingly.
• Airport departure times are now at :10, :25, :40, and :55 after the hour during peak periods. Other major stop times also change accordingly.

Route Brochure (September 2024)

Route 5 emerald

Adjusted bus arrival times to improve safety and connections at:

• W Emerald St & Orchard St
• S Americana Blvd & Latah St

Route Brochure (September 2024)

Route 8 orchard

Moved to the Main Street Station Upper Deck (effective 9/9) and adjusted bus arrival times to improve on-time performance at:

• N Discovery Way & E Chinden Blvd
• State of Idaho Chinden Campus
• W Chinden Blvd & N Kent Ln
• Chinden Blvd & W 39^th St
• Main Street Station Upper Deck

Route Brochure (September 2024)

Route 16 va/15th street

Moved to the Main Street Station Lower Deck (effective 9/3) and adjusted bus arrival times to improve on-time performance:

• Main Street Station departure times are now on the hour throughout the day. Other major stop times also change accordingly.

Route Brochure (September 2024)

Route 20 orchard

Adjusted bus arrival times to improve on-time performance:

• Airport departure times are now at :20 and :50 after the hour. Other major stop times also change accordingly.
• 36^th and Shasta St departure times are now at :12 and :44 after the hour. Other major stop times also change accordingly.

Route Brochure (September 2024)

Route 24 ustick/maple grove

Adjusted bus stops for improved safety and route connections, including:

• Relocated stop at Rifleman & Emerald to Emerald & Rifleman for better turning and navigability

Route Brochure (September 2024)

Route 29 overland

Adjusted bus arrival times to improve on-time performance at:

• S Lincoln Ave & W University Dr
• Towne Square Mall
• Main Street Station Lower Deck

Route Brochure (September 2024)

Route 40 caldwell/boise express

Adjusted bus stops to improve safety and connections, including:

• Updated bus stop name at Happy Day Transit Center to Cleveland & Laster to reflect ETA SPOT and bus signage
• Minor timing adjustments at most major stops

Route Brochure (September 2024)

Route 42 happy day – towne square mall

Adjusted bus stops to improve safety and connections, including:

• Removed bus stops at Garrity & Flamingo
• Removed bus stops at Idaho Center & Franklin
• Added bus stops at Idaho Center & Hunt
• Added bus stops at Emerald & Rifleman

Route Brochure (September 2024)

Route 45 Boise State – CWI

Adjusted bus stops to improve safety and connections, including:

• Adding a bus stop at Idaho Center & Hunt

Route Brochure (September 2024)

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: 

Route 7 Fairview

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) 

Route 20 orchard

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) 

Route 21 Cole/Glenwood

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) 

Route 24 Ustick/Maple Grove

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

See schedule (effective July 29) 

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.

Better Bus Stops

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.

Better Bus Routes

• 7% more service overall
• 18% more riders projected
• 12% more frequent
• 34% more people within 1/4 mile of 15-minute bus service
• 54% more people within 1/4 mile of 30-minute bus service
• More buses arriving more often on highly-used bus routes in Ada County, including 15-minute bus arrivals on the 7 Fairview
• Improved intercounty and cross-town connections (including more north-south routes), with easier transfers to major destinations across the region
• Service consolidation or reduction on less-used bus routes
• Expanded transit connections through VRT’s partnership with Lyft, focused on areas that would lose bus service

Change Day System Map (Interactive Fullscreen) Change Day System Map (PDF)

Route Summary

MAJOR STOPS

• Main Street Station
• Broadway & University
• Boise & Apple
• Boise Airport

2 Broadway Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• Main Street Station
• Capitol & Ann Morrison
• Vista & Overland
• Boise Airport

3 Vista Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• Main Street Station
• Latah & Crescent Rim
• Franklin & Orchard
• Towne Square Mall

4 Franklin Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• Main Street Station
• American & Latah
• Emerald & Orchard
• Towne Square Mall

5 Emerald Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• Main Street Station
• Fairview & Orchard
• Fairview & Cole
• Towne Square Mall

7 Fairview Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• Main Street Station
• State & 35th
• State & Collister
• Gary & Bunch

9 State Street Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• Main Street Station
• Hill & Harrison
• 36th & Shasta
• State & Ellens Ferry

10 Hill Road Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• Main Street Station
• Boise VA Medical Center
• 15th & Sherman
• Parkhill & Bogus

16 VA/15th St Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• Main Street Station
• Warm Springs & Homestead
• Warm Springs & Timbersaw
• Millspur
• Parkcenter & Bown
• Parkcenter & Mallard

17 Warm Springs/Parkcenter Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• Boise Airport
• Orchard & Overland
• Orchard & Fairview
• 36th & Shasta

20 Orchard Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• Towne Square Mall
• Ustick & Cole
• Milwaukee & Goddard
• Gary & Bunch

21 Cole/Glenwood Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• Records & Village
• Ustick & Five Mile
• Maple Grove & Fairview
• Towne Square Mall

24 Ustick/Maple Grove Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• Towne Square Mall
• Vinnell Way & Overland
• Pro Tech & Salt Creek

28 Cole/Victory Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• Main Street Station
• Lincoln & University
• Overland & Orchard
• Towne Square Mall

29 Overland Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• River Valley & Records
• Pine & 3rd Street
• Linder & Pine
• Wayfinder & Vanguard

30 Pine Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• Blaine & 24th Ave
• Happy Day Transit Center
• Overland & Blue Marlin
• Main Street Station
• University & Joyce

40 Caldwell/Boise Express Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• Happy Day Transit Center
• 3rd St S & 10th Ave S
• CWI Main Campus
• Overland & Black Marlin
• Five Mile & Overland
• Towne Square Mall

42 Happy Day – Towne Square Mall Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• CWI Main Campus
• Ten Mile & Vanguard
• Pine & 3rd Street
• River Valley & Records
• Fairview & Five Mile
• Towne Square Mall
• University & Joyce

45 Boise State – CWI Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• Caldwell Public Library
• Caldwell High School
• Caldwell YMCA
• Idaho Department of Labor
• Idaho Department of Health & Welfare
• The College of Idaho
• Vallivue High School
• West Valley Medical Center
• College of Western Idaho
• Nampa Public Library
• Nampa High School
• Nampa Recreation Center
• Northwest Nazarene University
• Skyview High School
• Treasure Valley Marketplace

150 Nampa/Caldwell On-Demand Route Brochure (June 2024)

MAJOR STOPS

• Eagle Public Library
• Eagle Island State Park
• Saint Alphonsus Eagle Health Plaza
• Winco Foods – State Street
• Winco Foods – Chinden
• Albertsons – Eagle Road
• Heritage Park
• Reid Merrill Park
• Friendship Park
• The Village at Meridian
• St Luke’s Meridian
• Gary & Bunch

160 Eagle On-Demand Route Brochure (June 2024)

• 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; VRT Beyond Access is available for passengers who will lose Access service

VRT Access Service Map (Interactive Fullscreen)

• Formerly Lyft Transit Connections, the VRT Lyft Pass 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 10 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 VRT Lyft Pass 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.

VRT Lyft Pass Service Map (Interactive Fullscreen)

• VRT Late Night offers transportation assistance for low-income job access when VRT buses are not running
• The fare is a minimum of $3 per trip; VRT will pay up to $20 of the additional ride cost, and the participant is responsible for any amount above $23 in addition to the $3 fare.
• For the network redesign, the VRT Late Night service area will be expanded in Meridian and South Boise

VRT Late Night Service Map (Interactive Fullscreen)

Where’d My Route Go?

Looking for your old route? Some bus routes have been consolidated to allow us to improve frequency across the system. Check them out below.

1 Harris Ranch via Park Center

Consolidated Service

• 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

6 Orchard 

Adjusted Service (Renamed Route 20 Orchard)

• 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

7a Fairview/ustick

Consolidated Service with Route 7

• 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

7b Fairview/towne Square Mall

Consolidated Service with Route 7

• 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

8x Five Mile/Chinden

Improved Service (Renamed Route 8 Chinden)

• 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

12 maple grove

Improved Service (Renamed Route 21 Cole/Glenwood)

• 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

43 caldwell express

Consolidated Service

• 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

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.

2024 Public Comment Report

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:

• Maintained service to Southeast Boise with a redesigned Route 17 (the Southeast Boise Route 1 was initially proposed for elimination)
• Maintained service to North Boise with Route 10 in the North End and a restructured Route 16 serving Harrison Hollow (Route 10 was initially proposed for elimination and Route 16 for a decrease in service area)
• Maintained service to the Central Bench with a modified Route 4 to serve from Towne Square Mall to Downtown Boise via Franklin, serving Borah High School and maintaining service on sections of Latah (Route 4 was proposed for elimination)
• Improved efficiency in the Central Bench with Route 28, which has been modified to work with the restructured Route 4
• Timing and bus stop adjustments to fit rider requests
• Expanded first/last mile options by adding Lyft Transit Connection stops and expanding Lyft Late Night to better reflect job market locations

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.

2024 Network Redesign Map

Highlights

• 14% more service overall
• 34% more people within 1/4 mile of 15-minute bus service
• 100% more people within 1/4 mile of 30-minute bus service
• More buses arriving more often on highly-used bus routes in Ada County, including 15-minute bus arrivals on the 7 Fairview
• New bus routes in Caldwell and expanded on-demand service in Canyon County
• Improved intercounty and cross-town connections (including more north-south routes), with easier transfers to major destinations across the region
• Service consolidation or reduction on less-used bus routes
• Expanded transit connections through VRT’s partnership with Lyft, focused on areas that would lose bus service
• The introduction of Beyond Access, a new regional service for qualifying older adults and persons with disabilities providing no-cost trips in and between Ada and Canyon counties

Change Summary

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 Descriptions

Route 3 Vista (Improved Service)

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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 4 Roosevelt (adjusted service; renamed route 4 franklin)

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 5 Emerald (adjusted service)

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 6 Orchard (ADJUSTED SERVICE; RENAMED ROUTE 20 ORCHARD)

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 7 Fairview (CONSOLIDATED SERVICE WITH routes 7a and 7b)

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 7A Fairview/Ustick (CONSOLIDATED SERVICE WITH ROUTE 7)

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 7B Fairview/Towne Square Mall (CONSOLIDATED SERVICE with ROUTE 7)

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 8 Five Mile (IMPROVED SERVICE; NOW NAMED 24 USTICK/MAPLE GROVE) 

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 8X Five Mile/Chinden (IMPROVED SERVICE; NOW NAMED 8 CHINDEN) 

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 9 State Street

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 10 Hill Road (ADJUSTED SERVICE)

• 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)

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 12 Maple Grove (IMPROVED SERVICE; NOW NAMED 21 COLE/GLENWOOD) 

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 16 VA/Hyde Park ADJUSTED SERVICE (NOW NAMED 16 VA LOOP) 

• 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 9^th, Brumback, or Ridenbaugh, moving to 15^th 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.

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 17 Warm Springs (ADJUSTED SERVICE)

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 20 Orchard (Adjusted Service)

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 21 Cole/Glenwood (IMPROVED SERVICE; NOW NAMED 21 COLE/GLENWOOD) 

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 24 Ustick/Map Grove (adjusted SERVICE; NOW NAMED 24 USTICK/MAPLE GROVE) 

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 28 Cole/Victory (Adjusted SERVICE)

• 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.

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 29 Overland (ADJUSTED SERVICE)

• The Route 29 is restructured, offering service from Main Street Station to Towne Square Mall via 9^th 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 30 Pine (ADJUSTED SERVICE)

• 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.

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 40 Nampa/Meridian Express ADJUSTED SERVICE (NOW NAMED 40 CALDWELL BOISE EXPRESS) 

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 42 Happy Day to Towne Square Mall (IMPROVED SERVICE)

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 43 Caldwell Express (SERVICE CONSOLIDATED)

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 45 BSU/CWI via Fairview (IMPROVED SERVICE)

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 56 Cleveland Blvd (NEW SERVICE)

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 58 South Caldwell (NEW SERVICE)

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 150 Nampa/Caldwell OnDemand (ADJUSTED SERVICE)

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 route map & schedule

Route 160 Eagle OnDemand (NO CHANGE)

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 service map & summary

VRT Access (ADJUSTED SERVICE)

• 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

 

View proposed 2024 service map & summary

VRT Beyond Access (NEW 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.

 

View proposed 2024 service map & summary

Lyft Transit Connections (ADJUSTED SERVICE)

• 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.

 

View proposed 2024 service map & summary

VRT Late Night (ADJUSTED SERVICE)

• Service area expanded through the city center of Meridian and south to Overland 

On October 2, 2023, VRT implemented schedule changes to the following routes:

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:

• 7A Fairview Ustick
• 7B Fairview – Towne Square Mall
• 11 Garden City
• 17 Warm Springs
• 29 Overland
• 43 Caldwell Express

7B Increase Peak Frequency

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.

7A/7B reroute at Curtis

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

Route 11 Garden City Elimination

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

Route 17 Warm Springs

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

Route 29 Overland

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

Route 43 Caldwell Express

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

COVID-19 SERVICE IMPACTS

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:

• Ridership is up and at 90% of pre-COVID levels
• COVID rates are stable/declining
• Businesses are open

Meridian Service

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

Route 9 State Street – Service to Eagle suspension

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.

Access a map for the Route 9 State Street

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