Public Transportation

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

• Safety, Summit, Training, Advisory Committees, Capital Grants, Asset Management, Compliance, & FHWA Grants: Shauna Miller, (208) 334-8533, Shauna.Miller@itd.idaho.gov
• Grants & Contracts Officer, Sam Carroll, (208) 334-8139, Sam.Carroll@itd.idaho.gov
• Operational Grants, Intercity, Congressional Applications & Small Urban: Taylor Bothke, (208) 334-8822, Taylor.Bothke@itd.idaho.gov
• Operational Grants: Beth Thompson, (208) 334-8875, Beth.Thompsons@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

• Appendix A- Community Input
• Appendix B- Public Transportation Provider Statistics and Profiles
• Appendix C- Demographics and Economic Analysis
• Appendix D- Estimates of Future Public Transportation Ridership and Provider Assessment
• Appendix E- Transit Toolbox
• Appendix F- Public Transportation Funding

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

• District 1
• District 2
• District 3
• District 4
• District 5
• District 6

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.

• State Management Plan

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.

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.

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:

• • • Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5311 Grant: Formula Grants for Other than Urbanized Areas
    • Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5310 Grant: Transportation for Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities
    • Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5304 Grant: Statewide Planning

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:

• • • Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5310 Grant: Transportation for Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities
    • Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5309 Grant: Capital Program
    • Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5339 Grant: Bus and Bus Facilities
    • FTA Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act Guide (URA)

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

• • • • ITD-PT Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan

Asset Management Templates:

• • • • Sample Accident Report Kit
      • Sample Pre-Trip Inspection

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.

• • • • ISP Inspection Form

Drug and Alcohol Compliance Program
2020 Summit FTA Drug and Alcohol

• FTA Drug and Alcohol Presentation
• FTA Drug and Alcohol Session Recording

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.

• 2020 Summit Idaho Transit on the Lookout to Fight Human Trafficking Presentation
  • Idaho Transit on the Lookout to Fight Human Trafficking Presentations
  • Idaho Transit on the Lookout to Fight Human Trafficking Session Recording

  Safety Resources:

  • • Safety Management Systems

2022 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

• • • RTAP Program Guidelines
    • RTAP Scholarship Application
    • RTAP Individual Expense Form