Commuter Profile: ValleyRide Route 9 Eagle Extension
Transportation is constantly moving, pun intended, which is why we want to pause to share some of our riders' stories in all modes of transportation. City Go staff jumped on the new ValleyRide service in Eagle to chat with riders. On the bus, we met Meghan, an Eagle resident who took Route 9 from Eagle to downtown Boise to get to work.
Eagle residents are learning the extended route is a great option to commute into Boise. Meghan, a resident of Eagle but an employee in downtown Boise, said she was grateful to find another way to get to work.
“If you had asked me why I avoided the bus,” Meghan said, “I suppose I would have said that the bus was for poor people.” A common misconception is that taking the bus is only for a certain type of individual. In reality, a wide variety of people utilize public transportation to meet their needs. Meghan works for an employer that offers transportation benefits, and through her employer, she has free access to the ValleyRide bus system. Because of her free access, she tried the bus and found that it often meets her commuting needs.
“I left my car at work downtown,” Meghan said. “Instead of inconveniencing my partner to drop me off at work or using a ride service, I took the bus as a conveniently green option.” Meghan doesn’t always need to take the bus but is open to making better choices for the environment. Though it’s not always convenient, she’s willing to make choices that reflect her sustainability values.
Does your employer offer transportation benefits? Have you considered a more sustainable commute? To learn more about potential membership benefits for individuals and employees, click here.
Do you commute sustainably and want to share your story? Reach out to City Go’s Communication Specialist Alex at amilles@valleyregionaltransit.org or on our Instagram @CityGoBoise
Click here to see Route 9. The route has now been extended to Ballantyne Park & Ride in Eagle for four a.m. round trips and three p.m. round trips in each peak period. There are now several stops throughout Eagle! Top destinations on this route include Main Street Station, Boise City Hall, Idaho State Capitol, Boise High School, Downtown Boise YMCA, Albertsons at State & 17th, Albertsons at State & 36th, Veterans Memorial Park, Collister Shopping Center, Library! at Collister, Northgate Shopping Center, Winco on State St., Eagle Public Library, Eagle Senior Center, and St. Luke's Eagle Medical Plaza.