COMPASS wants public to provide input on high-capacity transit

Will the Treasure Valley see new light rail transit in the coming years? The public could have a lot of impact if so.

The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) will be holding two open houses to hear feedback from the public regarding “high capacity” public transit options such as rail, light rail or bus as part of its study to gauge the feasibility of future projects.

Entitled “Let’s Ride Treasure Valley,” the study will be presented at the open houses, one on Sept. 24 at Library! at Cole and Ustick, 7557 W. Ustick Road in Boise, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.; and the other on Sept. 25 at the Caldwell Public Library, 1010 Dearborn Street in Caldwell, from 6-8 p.m.

The study builds on previous planning by the agency and is a required step in the federal environmental review process, COMPASS stated in a release.

“While this study represents a significant step toward high-capacity transit, lack of funding remains an obstacle,” the release state. “Idaho does not have a dedicated funding source for public transportation, which is needed to operate any sort of high-capacity transit system. Without dedicated funding, work on any type of high-capacity service will remain in the planning stages.”

The public will be able to ask questions and provide input at the open houses, plus the ability to review and provide feedback online at compassidaho.org through Oct. 10 is available. More information can be obtained by emailing [email protected] or by sending a request via mail at:

COMPASS
700 NE 2nd Street, Ste. 200
Meridian, ID 83642

Additionally, information can be requested by calling 208-855-2558 and asking for it to be mailed.