Better Bus Routes: 2024 Network Redesign Final Proposal

We heard you when you told us what would make our Bus Network Better. Learn about what we're proposing below.

Woman standing at bus stop

Introduction

You want the bus to come more often, with better routes that connect home, work, and key destinations. You want accessible, comfortable, and convenient bus stops that include relevant information about where you can go and how you can get there. You want "better buses" and so does VRT.

Historically, VRT has focused on a coverage-based system by providing routes in as many places as possible to connect passengers across the region. To increase the convenience of the system, grow ridership, and meet the desires of our riders we must move towards a higher frequency system. This requires focusing investments and increasing levels of service on higher ridership routes where we can better serve our existing riders and attract new riders. The time to grow transit is now. It is VRT's pleasure to introduce the final proposal for the 2024 Network Redesign.

Public Engagement Process

VRT began this process with the launch of the Better Bus Initiative in March 2023 as our new CEO, Elaine Clegg, came on board. The Better Bus Initiative collected input through 800 surveys and 12 open houses, with hundreds of additional comments. This public input was instrumental in directing VRT to move to a higher frequency system as soon as possible and to continue with improvements to busses and bus stops to improve the rider experience. In addition, input was collected from operators, drivers, and our partners. This input was route specific with actionable suggestions that staff was able to incorporate directly into this final design proposal. In June, VRT staff prepared three different network design scenarios based on increasing ridership and convenience while fitting into the budget parameters of our key funders. All scenarios reduced the bus service area, but increased service in high ridership areas. VRT will be collecting the last round of public input on the final proposal through the survey links below and through public hearings held in Boise, Caldwell, Meridian, and Nampa. The VRT Board is scheduled to make a final decision on the proposal Oct. 2, 2023. The service change is expected to be implemented the summer of 2024.

Route Colors and Frequency

VRT has been working to improve how riders identify bus routes, with updates to bus stop signs and route colors based on how often a bus arrives. These colors are:

  • Green = Frequent Service (runs all day, with buses arriving every 15-30 minutes)
  • Blue = Local Service (runs all day, with buses arriving every 30-60 minutes)
  • Purple = Commute Service (service that only operates during commute periods from roughly 7-9am and 3-7pm)

The map below illustrates how changing route colors allows you to see at a glance, which routes will be more convenient for you.

Current Services in the Treasure Valley Shown by Frequency

The Proposed Final Network Redesign

Valley Regional Transit (VRT) staff is proposing a consolidated bus network with increased frequency on high ridership routes and expanded service areas for VRT OnDemand, Lyft Late Night, and Lyft Transit Connections. A new service - Beyond ACCESS - is a new regional service 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.

The proposed changes will benefit the public by:

  • Increasing bus arrivals on the Fairview corridor to 15 minutes in the morning and afternoon and 30 minutes throughout the day
  • Improving cross-town connections with a revised 6 Orchard route running from Hill Road to the Boise Airport connecting three major bus routes (3 Vista, 7 Fairview, 9 State); this will also increase cross-town bus arrivals in west Boise from 60 minutes to 30 minutes
  • Improving west Boise and Meridian connections with a revised Route 45 and a new all-day connection between Towne Square Mall and the Village at Meridian via Ustick
  • Restoring bus service in Canyon County on the Nampa/Caldwell Boulevard and Garrity
  • Adding new fixed-route service in south Caldwell, serving Caldwell High School and the YMCA
  • Maintaining express service between Caldwell, Nampa, Meridian, and Boise
  • Expanding the area of VRT's Lyft Transit Connections to minimize the impacts in areas of service loss
  • Adding the Beyond ACCESS service to minimize the impact of a smaller ACCESS service area
  • Doubling the number of people within a ¼ mile of 30-minute all-day bus service
  • Increasing the number of people within ¼ mile of service that arrives every 15 minutes during the morning and afternoon by 34%
  • Increasing annual ridership by an estimated 16%

The final proposal responded to public comment on the concepts :

  • Maintaining morning and afternoon service on the highly-used commute trips of the 10 Hill Road bus route
  • Maintaining express service between Caldwell, Nampa, Meridian and Boise with Routes 40, 42, and 45
  • Restoring an early afternoon trip on Route 40
  • Maintaining service to Frank Church High School with Route 28
  • Maintaining service on Warm Springs with Route 17
  • Maintaining service in Southeast Boise with Route 2
  • Improving connections between downtown Meridian, Nampa and Boise with routes 30 and 45
  • Expanding the Lyft Transit Connections to areas that are losing service

Proposed Routes


Impacts

Despite these improvements, the final proposal will have localized negative impacts including:

  • Loss of bus service in Boise to Harris Ranch on Route 1
  • Loss of bus service in Boise along Owyhee, Latah and Roosevelt on Route 4
  • Loss of bus service in Boise on Five Mile, Mc Millan and Curtis
  • Loss of bus service in Boise on sections of Maple Grove, Milwaukee, Overland, and the North End
  • Reduced bus service in Boise along the Hill Road corridor on Route 10
  • Reduced service area of the 150, which is simplified to follow major roadways

The map below demonstrates areas gaining service through new routes and expanded service areas and areas losing service through route elimination or consolidation and reduced service areas.

Red = Areas losing service through route elimination/consolidation or reduction in service area Blue = Areas gaining service through new routes/segments or expanded service areas Black = No change to route or service area

Service Area Comparisons

This map demonstrates the increase or reduction in route levels or service or trip frequency.

Brown = Reduction in trips or service times by serving morning and afternoon trips Blue = Increase in the number of trips, service time, or bus arrivals Black = Routes with no change to the service time, trips, or bus arrivals

For route level descriptions of changes  click here .

Service Levels Comparison

ACCESS and Specialized Transit

ACCESS provides transportation within ¾ of mile of fixed bus routes to persons with disabilities.

In the proposed network, the ¾ of mile buffer shifted and several gaps are identified in red below. ACCESS service is not required on limited stop routes such as Routes 45 and 42 where stop spacing exceeds ½ mile between stops.

However, the “Beyond ACCESS” service area will provide transportation options to seniors and persons with disabilities in the areas losing ACCESS service and across the region, it is offering a transportation safety net that covers Ada and Canyon County.

Red = Areas losing ACCESS service area Blue = New ACCESS service areas Purple = Beyond ACCESS Service Area Black = ACCESS service with no change

Lyft Transit Connections

VRT partners with Lyft to provide Lyft Transit Connections, which uses a Lyft ride to connect a rider to within a designated area to a bus stop. Due to various service reductions, this service area has been expanded to capture the entire transit network in Boise and is extended west to Cloverdale Road, south to West Victory Road, and Southeast Boise as illustrated in the figures below. Ridership on this service in 2023 included 3,665 rides, by 173 unique riders at about 229 trips/month. The expanded area provides access to 130,900 (+151%) more people, and 73,500 (+171%) more jobs.

Lyft Transit Connections - First and Last Mile

What's changing?

VRT relies on voluntary contributions from cities, counties, highway districts, universities, and development organizations around the valley to help fund our services. VRT was delighted to secure unprecedented levels of funding this year which will allow us to increase from 90,000 service hours to 98,000 service hours. Those service hours were reinvested into increases in frequency, time span, service areas, and high ridership stops and routes. As a result, VRT anticipates a 16% increase in annual ridership. In addition, the population served within 1/4 mile of 15-minute service is expected to increase 34% and the population served within 1/4 of 30-minute service is expected to increase 100%.

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, ACCESS, Transit Connections, VRT Late Night

 SERVICE DISCONTINUED

1, 4, 7A, 43

 NO CHANGE

5, 9, 28, 160

 Click here  for a summary of proposed route changes.


Let us know what you think of the Final Proposal.

*The comment period is now closed, but you are still welcome to review to proposed changes.

Tell us about you -August 2023

August 2023 Fixed Route & OnDemand Comments Map

August 2023 ACCESS & Beyond ACCESS Comments Map

Comment on Proposed Changes


Thanks for taking the time to review the Final Proposal for the 2024 Network Redesign and providing your feedback!

Main Street Station

Main Street Station