Bus Rapid Transit

Congestion and outright stoppage on the interstate and State Street are keeping Boiseans in traffic instead of spending time with their families or enjoying our beautiful city. Even what should be short trips can become miserable because of the number of cars on the road. This is why Boise needs to invest more in its busing system. Current bus routes connect different parts of the city and valley, but not many people use them because of long wait times and bus stops that are too close to the road to feel safe. On Boise City Council I will push to improve our existing bus routes and for investments in new routes on arterial streets like State or Fairview. By continuing to work with the Capital City Development Corp, ACHD, Compass Idaho, and Valley Regional Transit, we will improve the everyday lives of Boiseans. I know we can do this, and I believe that we will.

Rail

A robust busing system can help with congestion now, but Boise and the Valley aren’t going to stop growing anytime soon. We must invest in our future by laying the groundwork for developing other modes of public transportation. That’s why I support a rail system that connects the east side of the Valley with the west. It’s not something that will happen overnight, and Boise can't do it alone. To make the project a reality, we need our state legislature’s support to help with land purchases, construction, and system maintenance. And for decades the state legislature has denied citizens the right to even vote on whether to tax themselves in the form of a local option tax -- getting the state government out of local politics would go a long way to making rail a reality. On Boise City Council, I will work with other council members and Valley communities to push the legislature to support this important public works project that will create jobs, reduce pollution, and keep commuters out of traffic.