FYI re: Bus Bid

Some of the Stimulus money through FTA will be used to purchase buses in Idaho.  This process requires that here must be a “bid” open to bus vendors.  Treasure Valley Transit is acting as “lead agency” or, in other words, the point people for questions, etc.  ITD is supplying us with documents that will be posted on this website.  The legal notice, when published, will refer people (vendors) to this website.  For the general public – this isn’t significant and probably extremely confusing…. so….  just letting you know!  Peggy

Snake River Transit progress

The SRT route started out slow – as all new routes do… but it is encouraging to see the numbers grow.  Definitely the word needs to get out.  Today I will be speaking at the Ontario Kiwnais club – telling them about the TVT history and the start up of the SRT and asking their help to get the word out.  I bet they will appreciate a speaker that, as many speakers do, asks for support but that doesn’t cost anything!!!  Next week – the 16th, SRT will start charging fares.  I would like to see more and more people using public transit as a eco-responsible thing to do.

Snake River Transit

Finally the Snake River Transit is up and operational.  A tenative date of Sept. 2nd had to be pushed back, however as of Sept. 15th – it is in operation.  If you live in the Fruitland / Payette Idaho or Ontario Oregon you can see the nice new buses circulating around.  Through October 15th – there will be no fares collected – yes FREE FREE FREE.  More information can be found on their own website – www.snakerivertransit.com.  Be sure and check it out and let me know your comments!

Mountain Home City route expansion

February was the launch of the expanded Mountain Home City route. The route was lenghtened from every half hour to a full hour so that the route encompassed more areas to better serve more people in the community. The new brochures are out – they are BLUE – not green (if you have a green one – toss it). The map is on the website as is the new time points. Please feel free to comment as a reply to this post.

The Latest!!

Wow, I have been very lax at keeping up on TVT news. 

On July 2nd TVT, in coordination with Tamarack Resorts, began a service for citizens in Cascade, Lakeview, Donnely and McCall.  The service meets with a shuttle to the Tamarack Resort.  The TVT service begins at 6:15 at McCall City Hall with stops at McCall’s Ridley Market, Lakefork Merc, Donnely’s Roseberry Plaza, Cascade’s Ashly Inn and Harpo’s in Cascade.  This will take one hour and then the route will run in reverse the next hour.  Tamarack will operate a bus with the same stops – starting at 6:15 at Harpos doing the reverse of the stops.  This will provide service every hour.  A schedule will be posted on the website once the times are “tweaked”.  Please call if you have any questions.  This service is called the Valley County Connections.

In Elmore County, we are happy to report that the city council has approved funding for city service in Mountain Home.  The service will continue for another year at least.

TVT is moving into a new location, finally getting a place of their own.  A little more work is to be done – resurfacing of the lot and striping – but we are very excited to have our buses and office in one location.  We hope to be having a “grand opening” soon – I will try to post it on the blog. 

Happy Holidays

Christmas and New Years are approaching.  Christmas means different things to everybody – but we hope it brings happiness and peace to you and yours.  The New Year signifys a new beginning – although any day of your life can be a new beginning if you so chose.  We at TVT hope that the season is all it should be for you.  We appreciate your friendship and patronage.

HOLIDAYS

The bus service will not be running in Mountain Home on Friday November 10 (Veteran’s Day) and Thursday November 23rd and Friday November 24th (Thanksgiving).  

Added route

There has been an additional hour added to the route.  At 6:00 the base bus will head into the city to pick up students at the Hacker Middle School, the High Shool and Eastside Park.  The same bus will go to the base and drop off at the Convenience Store, BX and the Gunfighters clubs.  The times are still being pinpointed, but watch the blog or website for any update on this.

Demonstration

There was an interesting demonstration held by the capitol in Boise today.  Not the kind with picket signs and protesting – but a demonstration of a street, with 33 single passenger cars and how it looked on the road.  Then how much room those same 33 people would look if they car-pooled – 3 to a car.  Then how much room those same 33 people would take up if they were in van pools at 5 to a vehicle – and finished with all 33 people on one bus.  Then they had the 33 people on foot or bike.  Interesting demonstration.  It was presented by ACHD – Commuteride and VRT.  Channel 7 was on the scene so maybe it will be televised tonight (Tues) if you read this early enough.  I have pictures, and if they turn out good enough, I will post them in the blog in the next day or so.

Official News

The Mountain Home Community Transit will continue.  There is even an additional route added to the base to accomodate some student activity.  On October 1 there will be small adjustments to rates and passes – this information will be posted as soon as it is official.

The McCall Transit is consistently increasing in ridership.  This system also started out as a demonstration.  TVT is determined to grow and make public transportation more usable and desirable all the time.  With the recent air situation, the less autos on the road – the better the air will be.  Every little bit counts.

Try public transportation today!  Let us know if you have questions or comments.  Thanks for checking out the blog.