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Public Transportation

Public Transportation (PT) Office

About Us

Public Transportation Office Vision:

“Be a National Leader in Developing Innovative Public Transportation Systems.”

The Public Transportation Office’s Mission is to grow Idaho’s mobility network by providing exceptional customer service and leverage emerging technology.

The Department will offer access to services for people with Limited English Proficiency, as needed, and ITD encourages persons needing an interpreter or special accommodations to contact the ITD Public Involvement Coordinator (208-334-8119).

Se les recomienda a las personas que necesiten un intérprete o arreglos especiales que llamen a la coordinadora de participación pública al (208) 334-8119.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

Public Transportation Manager: Ron Duran, (208)-334-4475, Ron.Duran@itd.idaho.gov

 

Please contact the ITD Office of Civil Rights to report civil rights related compliance complaints.

In accordance with the requirements of Idaho Code 40-312 (6), the Idaho Transportation Department’s Public Transportation Office (ITD-PT) undertook development of this statewide public transportation plan in 2016.

An overarching goal of the Idaho Public Transportation Plan is to provide a framework for creating an integrated public transportation system that meets the mobility needs of Idahoans. The Plan identifies and will support programs and projects in line with the Idaho Transportation Department’s mission of Your Safety, Your Mobility, Your Economic Opportunity.

Statewide Public Transportation Plan

Local Coordinated Human Service Transportation Plans (5310 FTA Program Plans)

Idaho Transportation Department Public Transportation: State Management Plan
The Public Transportation State Management Plan is for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Sections 5310, 5311, 5303/5304, and 5339/5309 grant programs and describes ITD’s Public Transportation adopted policies and procedures for administering state-managed grant programs. These grant programs offer federal financial assistance to organizations that serve the citizens of Idaho.

A yearly Public Transportation Summit takes place as a means to promote coordination with agencies, local stakeholders, and organizations. The summit’s strategic agenda is designed to help facilitate and encourage thought-provoking topics that will maximize efficiency and offer unique insight into present and future challenges facing Public Transportation in Idaho.

Registration opens September 1st!

Advisory

Public Transportation Advisory and Working Groups
Engagement and coordination is key to the continued success of public transportation in Idaho. That is why, per Idaho Code 40-514, the Idaho Transportation Department’s Public Transportation Program (ITD-PT) supports two stakeholder groups both focused on public transportation, the Interagency Working Group (IWG) and the Public Transportation Advisory Council (PTAC). The IWG is made up of representing government agencies that have a role in public transportation in Idaho. The PTAC has six members appointed by the Idaho Transportation Department Board and advises the Department on issues and policies regarding public transportation. Please see below to learn more about these groups.

The Interagency Working Group (IWG) was created in Idaho Code 40-514 to “advise and assist the department in analyzing public transportation needs, identifying areas for coordination, and developing strategies for eliminating procedural and regulatory barriers to coordination at the state level”. Today the Interagency Working Group tackles a number of important public transportation issues, including policies and statutes, data collection and review from each agency, and unique assignments as voted on by the Group to help reduce barriers and increase coordination.

Membership Information

Members:

Chair: Amanda Ames
Vice Chair: Craig Shaul

Member Alternates:

Ex-Officio Members:

Meeting Information

Scheduled Meetings:

  • September 15, 2020
  • December 8, 2020

Previous Meeting Minutes:

Annual Reports

The Public Transportation Advisory Council (PTAC) was also created in Idaho Code 40-514 to “advise the Department on issues and policies regarding public transportation in Idaho. The council shall participate in planning activities, identify transportation needs, and promote coordinated transportation systems. Before setting programs and priorities, the council shall seek pertinent information, facts and data from local governments, agencies, and providers regarding rural public transportation issues.” Today the PTAC advises and assists the Department and the Idaho Transportation Board in making funding recommendations to the Idaho Transportation Department Board.

Membership
“The advisory council shall be composed of six (6) members appointed by the Idaho Transportation Board. Appointed members shall be representatives of local governments and agencies, private organizations, citizen groups and private providers that have an interest in public transportation, and people with disabilities and the elderly who utilize public transportation. The board shall appoint said members from recommendations submitted by said organizations, groups, providers, users and state agencies in each district. One (1) member shall be appointed from each of the six (6) transportation department director districts as provides in section 40-303, Idaho Code. The term of each member shall be three (3) years and the initial appointments to the council shall be such that two (2) members shall be appointed each year thereafter.

Scheduled Meetings:

  • October 01, 2020

Previous Meeting Minutes:

Application

Public Transportation Application Program
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds, which are allocated to Idaho’s Public Transportation Office, are crucial to the continued operation of public transportation services and the capital infrastructure in the State. In order to ensure that the funds are fair and equitably distributed, a competitive application process has been developed to solicit projects and award funds. Below is a list of funds Idaho receives to assist with public transportation options in the State.

The Idaho Transportation Department’s Public Transportation Office (ITD-PT) receives an annual federal appropriation from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in which is utilized for the congressional application cycle. This occurs biennially and allows transit providers the opportunity to apply for two years of funding at a time. The funding available through this application is for operating and capital projects to support rural public transportation needs and services.

NOW CLOSED – One-Time Funding and Applications.

Intercity

Public Transportation Intercity Grant Program

In many states, intercity bus service is a vital link between otherwise isolated rural communities and the rest of the nation. Historically, major intercity bus carriers abandoned less productive routes. Patronage generated in rural areas, however, appears to be important to the continuing viability of the remaining intercity routes.

Idaho’s Intercity Bus Plan Update 2019

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), together with KFH Group, Inc., is working to update the state’s last intercity bus study, which was completed in 2011. The initial purpose of this study is to meet a Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) requirement to conduct a consultation process to assess unmet needs for rural intercity bus service at least every four years. Additionally, the project intends to examine services funded by the existing program and provide recommendations regarding any needed changes in the services or the program. This analysis addresses intercity bus services operated by private for-profit firms (Greyhound Lines, Northwestern Trailways, Jefferson Lines, and Salt Lake Express), focusing on routes that are receiving funding through ITD under the FTA Section 5311(f) program of assistance for rural intercity bus service.

Open Houses will be held the week of September 23rd, see details below:
Monday, September 23, 2019
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (PST)
Moscow Intermodal Transit Center
1006 Railroad St
Moscow, Idaho 83843

Tuesday, September 24, 2019
10:00 am – 12:00 pm (MST)
Valley Ride Transit Main Street Station
777 W Main St
Boise, Idaho 83702

Wednesday, September 25, 2019
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm (MST)
Pocatello Regional Transit Hub
5815 S 5th St
Pocatello, Idaho 83204

For more information regarding the open houses or intercity bus services, please feel free to contact Kristian Larkin at (208) 334-8875 or Kristina.Larkin@itd.idaho.gov.

Intercity Applications
In many states, intercity bus service is a vital link between otherwise isolated rural communities and the rest of the nation. Historically, major intercity bus carriers abandoned less productive routes. Patronage generated in rural areas, however, appears to be important to the continuing viability of the remaining intercity routes. One objective of the funding for intercity bus service under Section 5311, therefore, is to support the connection between rural areas and the larger regional or national system of intercity bus service. Another objective is to support services to meet the intercity travel needs of residents in rural areas. A third objective is to support the infrastructure of the intercity bus network through planning and marketing assistance and capital investment in facilities. FTA encourages states to use the funding under Section 5311(f) to support these national objectives, as well as priorities determined by the state.

Grants

Public Transportation Operational Grant Program
Once a Federal or State grant is executed by the Idaho Transportation Department and when applicable the Federal Transit Administration, the subrecipient will receive a funding agreement and be assigned to either the Operational Grant Program or the Capital Grant Program.

The Operation Grant Program handles all active and executed grants that have been deemed by the Idaho Transportation Department to be of an Operating nature. These can include the following: FTA 5311 Program Funding, FTA 5310 Program Funding (directly resulting in operations), and the FTA 5304 Planning Program.

Responsibilities include reimbursement processing, compliance assistance, technical guidance, and required reporting.

Please click on the links below to learn more about each program:

Public Transportation Capital Grant Program

Once a Federal or State grant is executed by the Idaho Transportation Department and when applicable the Federal Transit Administration, the subrecipient will receive a funding agreement and be assigned to either the Operational Grant Program or the Capital Grant Program.

The Capital Grant Program handles all active and executed grants that have been deemed by the Idaho Transportation Department to be Capital purchases in nature. These can include the following: FTA 5309 Program Funding, FTA 5310 Program Funding (directly resulting in capital purchases), FTA 5339 Program Funding, and Idaho Vehicle Improvement Program Funding. VIP provides capital funding for demand response providers to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses to support the continuation and expansion of public transportation. Eligible recipients include private non-profit organizations, State or local government authorities, operators of public transportation services including private operators and tribal governments for capital projects to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses, vans, and related equipment for demand response services.

Please click on the below links to learn more about each program:

Performance

Public Transportation Performance Program

The Idaho Transportation Department is committed to fostering a fiscally responsible and performance based public transportation network that provides for the most effective and efficient use of funds to promote ITD’s mission of “Your Safety. Your Mobility. Your Economic Opportunity.”

The Performance Program is responsible for monitoring and reporting on a myriad of public transportation metrics include subrecipient operating revenue and expenses, ridership, vehicle miles traveled, and hours of service just to name a few.

Please click on the links below to view our reports.

Annual Statewide Performance Reports:

  • Reporting Templates:

    • Compliance

    Subrecipient Site Review Program
    In an effort to provide technical assistance and proactive compliance oversight, ITD-PT performs site reviews of each public transportation subrecipient on an every one or two year basis.

    Asset Management Program

    Public transportation is a capital intensive program that requires constant maintenance and upkeep to ensure that each asset is being used to its full extent. ITD-PT employs an extensive data collection effort to track asset information throughout Idaho. Click the following link to review the information ITD-PT collects.

    ITD-PT Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan

    Asset Management Templates:

    Idaho State Police Vehicle Inspection Program
    Each year ITD-PT partners with the Idaho State Police to perform required vehicle inspections on public transportation vehicles throughout Idaho.

    Drug and Alcohol Compliance Program

    Safety Program
    The Idaho Transportation Department Public Transportation Program (ITD-PT) is committed to providing safe public transportation options for all Idaho citizens. ITD-PT recognizes that public transportation is one of the safest modes of transportation.

    Safety Resources:

    Training

    Training & Development
    Education and understanding of public transportation is essential to its continued usage and growth in Idaho. That is why ITD-PT has created the Public Transportation Training and Development Program. This Program consists of ITD-PT’s Idaho Rural Technical Assistance Program (RTAP). Please see the information below to learn more about our efforts:

    2020 Upcoming ITD Hosted Trainings

    • Currently there are no trainings

    Rural Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP)
    The Idaho Transportation Department Public Transportation Office (ITD-PT) is responsible for administering Idaho’s Rural Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) with funding provided by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). ITD-PT is committed to fostering a safe, mobility focused public transportation program throughout Idaho that promotes economic opportunity and growth for all of Idaho. ITD-PT budgets the 5311(b) RTAP funds on an annual basis and will offer scholarship opportunities until such funds are exhausted.

    RTAP Program Overview

    1. Application Submittal
    2. Application Review & Notification
    3. Attend Training/Receive Materials
    4. Reimbursement Request & Payment

    Training Sites

    Previous Training Documents
    To access previous training documents contact Shauna Miller at Shauna.Miller@itd.idaho.gov

    Outreach

    Share the Ride Idaho

    SharetheRideIdaho.com is your resource to find the commuting option that makes the most sense for you. It will make it easy for you to find the best route, locate a park and ride lot, map your route, or even find a commuting buddy based on your work schedule or neighborhood. With it’s easy to use ride match tool, you’ll be put in touch with other smart carpoolers like you who are looking to save money and time.

    For more information visit the Share the Ride Idaho website at https://www.sharetherideidaho.com and view the Frequently Asked Questions.