u/rideVRT

At its August 17 council meeting and budget hearing, the Nampa City Council voted on a final budget which includes partial funding for VRT.

Service Impacts:
- Route 42, which connects VRT’s Happy Day Transit Center to Towne Square Mall, will continue to operate in Nampa as it does today.

- VRT Access paratransit will continue to operate in Nampa as it does today.

- Route 40 which currently connects the Nampa/Caldwell Boulevard to Boise State and serves Park & Ride lots, the College of Idaho, CWI, the Ten Mile Park & Ride, Wahooz & Roaring Springs, Boise City Hall, and more – will be eliminated from Nampa as a result of their decision to partially fund VRT services.

- VRT On-Demand, which currently allows riders to schedule on-demand trips to be picked up near their location and dropped off near their destination within the Nampa and Caldwell service area – will no longer be available within the City of Nampa as a result of their decision to partially fund VRT services.

Caldwell riders will be able to ride VRT On-Demand in Caldwell and to VRT partner destinations in Nampa, such as St. Luke’s, Saint Alphonsus, and College of Western Idaho (CWI) campuses – including the Main Campus Park & Ride to connect with Route 42.

These changes will take effect on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

We know the past several weeks have brought uncertainty for riders who depend on public transportation. Thank you to everyone who participated in the process, shared feedback and stayed informed as the FY2027 budget was developed.

Be sure to check back on our socials and on our Service Changes webpage at ridevrt.org/changes for more updates on these changes in the upcoming weeks.

Please take the time to fill out our survey regarding transit in Nampa!

The link is below in the replies.

[Reposting with updated map of Timberline Park + Ride]

Don't drive yourself bananas looking for parking. Take the bus to Banana Ball! 🍌⚾
 
🍌💙 VRT is making it easy to get to Banana Ball on The Blue with free bus service for all ticketholders, along with extended service hours and Park & Ride options for convenient access.
 
🍌🚌 VRT’s routes 2 and 29 are ideal choices to get you to and from The Blue. We’ll also be extending service and adding buses to the evening trips to help you get home safely.
 
🍌🗓️ VRT will run regular service on these routes all day, with additional service at the end of the game for up to an hour.
 
Park for FREE at one of our Park + Ride locations and get dropped off right next to Albertsons Stadium:

• Towne Square Mall P+R then hop on Route 29 Overland
• Timberline High School (temporary P+R) then hop on Route 2 Broadway

When do the buses run, you ask?
 
Friday, July 31: Last bus departs Albertsons Stadium at 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 1: Last bus departs Albertsons Stadium at 9:30 p.m.
 
Get all of the info you need on taking the bus to Banana Ball at ridevrt.org/banana 🍌

Don't drive yourself bananas looking for parking. Take the bus to Banana Ball on The Blue! 🍌⚾️

🍌💙 VRT is making it easy to get to Banana Ball on The Blue with free bus service for all ticketholders, along with extended service hours and Park & Ride options for convenient access.

🍌🚌 VRT's routes 2 and 29 are ideal choices to get you to and from The Blue. We'll also be extending service and adding buses to the evening trips to help you get home safely.

🍌🗓️ VRT will run regular service on these routes all day, with additional service at the end of the game for up to an hour.

Park for free at one of our Park + Ride locations and get dropped off right next to Albertsons Stadium:

• Towne Square Mall P+R then hop on Route 29 Overland
• Timberline High School (temporary P+R) then hop on Route 2 Broadway

🤔 When do the buses run, you ask?

Friday, July 31: Last bus departs Albertsons Stadium at 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 1: Last bus departs Albertsons Stadium at 9:30 p.m.

Get all of the info you need on taking the bus to Banana Ball at ridevrt.org/banana

On July 15, the Nampa City Council voted to remove all VRT funding from the city's proposed FY2027 budget, which would eliminate Route 40, Route 42, VRT On-Demand, and Access from Nampa effective October 12th.

How to share your feedback:

• August 4 at 5 p.m.: VRT public hearing at Happy Day Transit Center (ridevrt.org/nampa-hearing)
• August 12 at noon: Deadline to submit public comments to the Nampa City Clerk
• August 17 at 6 p.m.: Nampa City budget public hearing, council vote and budget adoption
• Contact the Nampa City Clerk or their City Council representative
• Email feedback@ridevrt.org
• Fill out VRT's survey about the cuts

You can read the full story and find our survey at ridevrt.org/nampa

VRT is seeking community feedback on proposed service changes due to budget changes in Nampa and Caldwell.

Our service concept is aimed at maintaining as much service as possible while aligning with the requested budget, including a new VRT On-Demand service model and removing Route 40 from Nampa.

Community members are invited to fill out our survey and attend an upcoming Open House and Public Hearing to learn more about the proposal, ask questions, and share feedback before decisions are made.

📅 Monday, June 22
📍 Nampa Civic Center
🕞 Open House: 3:30 p.m.
🗣️ Public Hearing: 5:00 p.m.

Can’t attend in person? Review the proposal and complete the survey at the link below.