BOISE, Idaho — Valley Regional Transit (VRT) will get closer to resuming normal operations if stage 4 of the Idaho Rebounds plan is implemented on June 13. If the state moves to stage 4 as planned, VRT will begin collecting fares and reopen Main Street Station in downtown Boise on June 15. Two other VRT facilities – the Happy Day Transit Center in Caldwell and the customer service office in Meridian – reopened on June 1, in response to the state entering Stage 3.
VRT stopped collecting fares on March 21 in an effort to promote social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus. Riders were asked to enter through the back door of the bus when possible. All VRT public facilities also were closed on March 27.
In an effort to reduce the amount of time passengers spend at the fare box, and to reduce touch points, VRT is encouraging riders to purchase their fares online through the Valley Connect mobile application. Passengers can download the Valley Connect app, enter payment information and activate the pass before boarding the bus. After boarding the bus, riders will present the activated pass to the driver.
The cost of a single-ride adult fare is $1.50 for local service and $4.50 for universal service (which includes inter-county service between Ada and Canyon County). One-day passes are $2.50 and $7.50, respectively. The cost of passes for youth (6-18 years of age), persons with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders is half of the normal full fare. A one-way ride on ACCESS paratransit is $3.00.
VRT will continue to remain strong in its commitment to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus while providing essential transportation services if the state moves to Stage 4:
· Don’t ride public transit if you are sick.
· Riders are asked to sit as far apart from other riders as possible. Standing is not allowed on the buses and if a bus has too many people to ensure adequate social distance spacing, additional buses are brought into service.
· Bus operators and operations staff are wiping down the inside of the buses between trips when possible. They have the option of wearing a company-provided face covering.
· Riders are encouraged to wear cloth face coverings when inside Valley Regional Transit facilities and when riding public transit.
· Every bus in service is cleaned and disinfected every night. Cleaning crews are paying special attention to frequently touched areas, like handrails and seat backs. Foggers are being used to treat the insides of the buses.
· Public facilities now include posted information for staff and the public about how to stay safe and help reduce the possibility of spreading the coronavirus. There are a number of large floor decals promoting social distancing around the facilities.
For more information about the steps Valley Regional Transit are taking to protect the public, visit their website.
