Commuter rail experts on track about Treasure Valley 

Sometimes experts are just that – expert. They know their industry, they understand the big picture, and they can do the full “SWOT” thing; strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. So it was with the “experts” assembled recently to advise the Treasure Valley on its commuter rail futures.

It’s a no go. That’s what they said, essentially, and they are very right. Dating back at least to former Boise Mayor Brent Coles’ obsession with commuter rail and the hyped experiment and demonstration during his administration we have talked and talked rail solutions in this valley.

Coles had a little train shipped here (I think from Germany) to show us what they look like. Kids got train rides, it went up and down alongside Franklin road (basically) tooting loudly, and enviros predicted the end of the auto industry. The train was cute but it and the idea were headed for nowhere, and the auto industry fell victim to poor leadership and a recession.

Enter the commuter rail experts and their sharp eyes on Idaho’s budgets. There was no funding, public or private for such an unneeded boondoggle in Mayor Cole’s years, and no money for it since. Hopefully there will be no money for it in the future.

Here’s how it was pitched. A school teacher in Nampa getting off work could drive to the closest train stop, park his or her car, and hop on the train for a ride into Boise to get within walking distance of BSU to attend an evening class. After class he or she would walk back to the train stop, catch it to Nampa, shovel their car out of the snow and drive home.

The very concept was flawed and failed from the get go – people just won’t do it, and this valley has neither the size nor density for economic viability. Hopefully, last week’s summit will quiet the annual railing for a commuter train system in the Treasure Valley.

What we needed years ago and need now is a working bus system. When I was commuting six miles daily into downtown Boise it required a half-mile hike to a bus stop, and three bus changes to get there. Never did it.

Certainly the walk would have been good for me, but 40 minutes bus time for a 10 minute scoot down the Connector was not time well spent, plus I would be on foot at work with no ready transit in and around town to appointments.

But pure and simple buses are the answer for this valley. Better routes, clean running busses, fee incentives, business partnerships, some splash and marketing, and I believe there is a sufficient sector of auto commuters who would join in. And unlike the train, routes can be changed along with demographic pattern shifts. Perhaps there are bus experts as good as the rail crew we found that can help advise us.

NEW! Online only subscription. 24/7 access to premium online subscriber content for only $79.00 a year!
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TODAY!

Comments are closed.