Boise Considers Mass-Transit System For Growing Problem

A public mass-transit system to deal with the valley’s growing traffic dilemma will get a close examination by the Ada Planning Association board.

The panel today will discuss forming an advisory group to consider a new Regional Public Transportation Authority involving Ada and Canyon counties.

The committee could consist of county and city officials, major employers, planners and residents.

They would develop a vision of what the authority would actually do, such as operate bus and rail service between the counties.

As the valley population grows outward from Boise, increasing numbers of people live in one place and work in another, creating traffic problems and more road widening.

Already, about 7,000 cars commute from Meridian to Boise on an average weekday.

Formation of an authority would require approval by voters.

Boise Mayor Brent Coles wants to bring a RegioSprinter commuter train to the area for up to six months.

The diesel-powered car could run on existing Union Pacific Railroad tracks and carry up to 174 people between Meridian, Boise Towne Square, the Boise Depot and Micron Technology Inc.

Coles said he thinks an authority could be involved in a RegioSprinter system, but it should consider all options.

“The first thing is an inventory of what exists: buses, park-and-ride lots, what other transit is available,” Coles said.

“It would be my goal to have the authority contract with private companies, just as we do with BUS (Boise Urban Stages).”

Incoming Canyon County Commissioner Zelda Nickel also supports an authority, although she said it may take awhile to pry people out of their cars.

The RegioSprinter car would be permitted to go only about three miles east of Nampa, if Union Pacific allows the train on its tracks.

Nickel said the rail car would have to go to Caldwell to be of much use.

“I don’t think you’d have that many people that would drive, park their car and go on a rail into Boise,” Nickel said.

“If it went to Caldwell, we could get people from Parma, Wilder, Middleton and Notus.”

The Legislature passed a bill in 1994 to permit formation of authorities. However, it does not allow them to levy taxes, so any authority formed would have to rely on local contributions, fees and government grants.