VALLEY REGIONAL TRANSIT A VEHICLE FOR CHANGE WWW.RIDEVRT.ORG
VALLEY REGIONAL TRANSIT A VEHICLE FOR CHANGE AT A GLANCE VALLEY REGIONAL TRANSIT WHAT: T he regional transit service for the greater Boise, Idaho region with efforts towards electrifying its current fleet and meeting increased customer demand. WHERE: Boise, Idaho, USA WEBSITE: www.ridevrt.org TRANSFORMING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES WHILE MEETING CUSTOMER DEMAND 1 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 04
E With a clear strategy to encourage increased ridership on frequent routes while providing more connections to places passengers couldn’t previously get to, Valley Regional Transit is steering ahead and expertly adapting its services to meet customer demand. Covering a 400-square-mile radius that primarily serves the beautiful and vibrant city of Boise, Idaho, 2 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 04
Valley Regional Transit has its finger on the pulse of the direction of public transport while seamlessly navigating the best route forward for its valued customers. With the implementation of new technology and a plan to chart a course towards a fully electricoperated fleet, this Regional Transit Authority (RTA) for the Treasure Valley (Boise Metro Region) is fully geared to meet future transportation needs. The RTA which covers two counties,Ada and Canyon Counties, encompasses a population of roughly 800,000, although the majority of the high-traffic routes in the transportation network reach a population of half that number. Enjoying increased customer demand and ridership numbers heading northward, Valley Regional Transit has much to be optimistic about. NAVIGATING NEW ROUTES FORWARD “Our funding is not a dedicated funding source, so we only serve places that contribute to us voluntarily. The City of Boise is our most robust service. We have high-frequency routes and extensive routes in Boise. And then we have regional routes in the rest of the valley, as well as some micro transit that feeds those roads,” Elaine Clegg, Chief Executive Officer with Valley Regional Transit, explains. Clegg outlines recent changes that have been implemented, pointing to a significant service change in June of 2024. “Many of our new routes are performing quite well. We have seen a 50% increase on some routes and near a 20 to 25% increase on others.” She further explains the number of routes has been reduced to 19 from the previous 22 routes Valley Regional Transit had in place. “The discontinued routes were combined into other routes so they still exist, but in a more coverage fashion with less frequency. The combined routes were regional routes that lost a fair amount of ridership,” Clegg relays. 3 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 04 VALLEY REGIONAL TRANSIT
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When it comes to ridership numbers, Clegg notes that the regional system is up about three to four percent year over year despite the discontinuation of one of the regional routes. “The changes made had exactly the impact that we hoped for. The people who have discovered them, like them.” One route now takes passengers out to the airport from the Northwest end of the city. “People tell me that they don’t have to park at the airport anymore and can just go by bus and get there. They love it,” Clegg describes. On the city’s best-in-class corridor, Valley Regional Transit has also added 15-minute frequencies in service due to increased passenger demand on higher-traveled routes such as this route directly passing through the downtown area. “Ultimately we would like to do a double loop so that you could go downtown every half hour,” Clegg offers. The route planning and service adjustments have paid off, Clegg determines, highlighting the success of the Transit Authority’s strategic plan over the last number of months. “I think we made the right choices with the changes that we made,” Clegg says. ELECTRIFICATION STEERING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION Valley Regional Transit began electrifying in Ada County in 2018 and has chargers ready for up to 72 charging stations. This was a deliberate move to be ahead of the curve with the goal of fully electrifying the fleet in line with the targets set. “We are waiting to get some of those [charging stations] commissioned and we are working on our second batch of buses. We started with 12 and now are adding another 11,” Clegg outlines. 5 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 04 VALLEY REGIONAL TRANSIT
At Transpo Group, we turn transportation visions into reality—guiding projects from the earliest planning stages through full engineering design. Our integrated team of planners and engineers delivers multimodal solutions that prioritize people and performance across every mode: transit, walking, biking, freight, and driving. Since 1975, we have partnered with agencies to develop smart, sustainable systems that move communities forward. Whether we’re shaping long-range transportation plans or designing critical infrastructure, we ensure each project supports safe, connected, and accessible mobility for all. Our award-winning work spans ADA-compliant pedestrian networks, bicycle facilities, transit corridors, traffic signals, roundabouts, and complete street design. From visioning and public engagement to construction-ready plans and cost estimates, we provide the technical expertise and strategic insight to move projects from ideas to implementation—with confidence and impact. Transpo Group is planning and building the future of transportation. www.transpogroup.com Celebrating Fifty Years of What Transportation Can Be Since 1975, Transpo Group has worked to strengthen communities across the country by specializing in tailored, analytical, data-driven solutions to the complex multimodal transportation planning and engineering needs of growing cities, regions. Find out what we can do for your community.
The main focus, Clegg explains, is to work steadily towards electrifying the downtown’s main station in Boise. “Then we can do route charging there and the buses that leave the base in the morning can route during the day and make the full day with all of those charges without having to go back to base.” Supply chain issues have posed somewhat of a challenge, Clegg admits, in meeting targets on its preferred time schedule. Valley Regional Transit is still waiting for one of the parts necessary to fully implement the infrastructure needed to support the electrification of the fleet. In the meantime, Clegg adds, “We are working on the State Street corridor which is also our only designated bus rapid transit route. “We are looking at what we can do on route charging, likely at the end of the route; however the plans there are not fully developed.” Clegg also notes that Valley Regional Transit is keeping busy with work on bus stop infrastructure along the route to ensure that near-level boarding, good shelters with real-time displays, and other key amenities adding positively to the passenger experience, are in place. “Electrification is still the right way to go and the city of Boise is very committed to a carbon neutral goal of their own. So we are pretty confident that ultimately these issues will get worked out.” “With any technology, you find these disruptions.” INFRASTRUCTURE DRIVING GROWTH Investing in the Valley Transit’s main bus facility in Ada County has taken center stage when investing in capital infrastructure. “The facility is near the airport and we have completely rebuilt the yard itself. We have all new asphalt, all new charging stations, all new parking, and now we are even getting to the point of going 7 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 04 VALLEY REGIONAL TRANSIT
Congratulations to Elaine Clegg and Valley Regional Transit from all of the Visit Boise team! Boise visitors and locals alike are fortunate to have a top-managed transit system that provides exceptional service to experience all that the city has to offer. From hopping on a bus to finding a Lime scooter, there are plenty of options to get from one end of town (Shakespeare Festival, say?) to the other (maybe a brewery hop tour on the greenbelt!). Here in Boise, we also love our bikes - and visitors can take advantage of bike-sharing opportunities as well. And now, we can catch flights with ease and no hassles of parking! Three VRT bus routes serve the Boise Airport Monday through Saturday, with up to eight buses arriving every hour during peak times. Thank you to Valley Regional Transit and Elaine for all the hard work to keep our City moving and adventuring. DARE TO IN A SINGLE DAY BOISE, IDAHO When you visit Boise, you don’t have to choose between mountains or city. You can do both in the same day. We’re talking hiking, award-winning restaurants, a lively downtown and more. Plan your trip at visitboise.com
working on getting this work completed. “We have federal funding identified; however we have not identified the local funding yet. We are looking in both facilities at adding solar arrays on the roofs and we would build canopies,” Clegg projects. Clegg predicts that by adding canopies and then putting solar on top, the result will be to both shade and cover and produce energy that will ultimately shave down energy costs by reducing demand charges. THE DIRECT ROUTE FORWARD “I served for about 20 years as a city council member and I learned an awful lot about how decision-making in government agencies works. I had never been on the executive side, so moving to the executive role was certainly a learning experience,” Clegg reflects. When asked just how she navigates her position and ahead with the building of a small administration building for us,” Clegg states. The new building will include new storage space, additional space to create an ideal working atmosphere, and a space to lie down. “We also began remodeling the break room and the shop used by the contractors.The shop has had a lot of upgrades and is all CNG compliant. We have new elevators in place as well. The upgrades in the shop make it more efficient,” Clegg details. “Our asset management software has been upgraded as well so that they can get parts and supplies more efficiently.” Valley Regional Transit’s second facility in Canyon County lags slightly, Clegg admits, and needs a “fair amount of work.” The plans are in place, however, and the team is 9 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 04 VALLEY REGIONAL TRANSIT
Clegg recognizes that the job is fluid and the work is never done. “Nothing is static. If something is static, it is probably not working very well,” she concludes. ensures directed outcomes for the transportation service, Clegg is quick to answer. “I remember the important advice that my grandfather gave me many, many years ago.” Clegg uses this advice to guide the work that she does. She reflects on how she approaches leadership. “It is all about problem-solving and finding ways forward to whatever you are working on,” she offers. She continues, “It is a process of building teams. I have a strong team and making it even stronger, growing it in ways that develop a culture of can-do and get things moving.” When looking ahead, Clegg wants most to continue with the processes that she has built, along with continuing infrastructure improvements that pivot to meet passenger demands in the future. PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Transpo Group www.transpogroup.com At Transpo, we plan and design transportation systems for people — not just drivers of cars and trucks, but also the pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders who share these systems. We create transportation solutions that enable a more sustainable tomorrow for communities of all sizes. n Visit Boise www.visitboise.com Visit Boise is a destination marketing organization with a mission of inspiring people to visit Boise. Boise is part rugged, part refined. The culturally vibrant downtown is steps away from a pathway-lined river and hundreds of miles of foothills trails to hike and bike. The blend of outdoor activities and artistic vibes means there is something for everyone! n Capital City Development Corporation www.ccdcboise.com CCDC ignites economic growth, builds attractive urban centers, and promotes healthy community design by cultivating commerce and growing resilient and prosperous local economies, improving public infrastructure, expanding mobility choices to include parking and multiple transit modes, developing public spaces, and investing in projects that include historic preservation and support local arts and culture. 10 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 04
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