BOISE, Idaho — Valley Regional Transit (VRT) will resume normal operations beginning June 15 in response to the state of Idaho moving to the final stage of the Idaho Rebounds: Our Path to Prosperity plan.
Here are the changes VRT will be implementing on Monday:
- VRT will begin collecting fares for ValleyRide bus service and ACCESS paratransit service.
- Route 9 will resume its regular schedule - 15-minute frequency during peak a.m. and p.m. times, and 30-minute frequency during non-peak times.
- There will be no seating or standing restrictions on the buses.
- Main Street Station in downtown Boise will reopen. Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7A, 7B and 9 will all stage at Main Street Station.
- The customer service office at Main Street Station will reopen at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, June 15.
- The VRT Meridian office (700 NE 2nd St.) will reopen the main entrance doors at 8 a.m.
Valley Regional Transit 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 as the state moves to Stage 4:
· VRT is urging the public not to use public transportation if they are sick.
· Riders are asked to sit as far apart from other riders as possible.
· 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 in-service bus is cleaned and disinfected every night. Cleaning crews are paying special attention to frequently touched areas, like handrails and seat backs and utilizing foggers to treat the insides of the buses.
· Our 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. We have installed a number large floor decals promoting social distancing (staying at least six feet away from others).
For more information about the steps Valley Regional Transit are taking to protect the public, click here.
