While researching a fast food franchise I wanted to purchase, I was shocked to discover that despite all the advertising, marketing, and branding that occurs through large sums of monies via royalties, the actual growth in sales is directly proportionate to population growth, nothing else. I would suspect this is true for many industries, that being said, I think it is doubtful that any voices to slow growth will be seriously considered, too much money relies on population growth.

When bellies are full and the people have their milk and honey, elected leaders can plunder. When bellies are empty, revolution and change is near. Just look at the French Revolution, it had more to do with famine than a revolt against the class structure.

You would think they would at least offered free BUS rides to and from this meeting. A first step-baby one.

There used to be a type of a ride-share database maintained by ACHD. Don’t know if there is anything left of that or not.

We need policies that encourage flexible schedules when possible, the option to telecommute from home when feasible, and the possibility of policies like working four 10 hour days where applicable.

There were at one time programs to encourage employers to provide bus passes in Boise or bus discounts.

We need not just more bike lanes but tax breaks for employers who provide showers and bicycle parking indoors.

There are a number of countywide and Boise City transportation plans written in the 1970s-1990s that encompass some of these types of ideas that are small increments, which can add up to major reductions.

An inventory of what is currently in place in the Treasure Valley and employers with innovative policies would be a good place to start.

Sharing rides with strangers may have worked 20 years ago but, sadly enough, not today.
Publicly owned vehicles giving rides to the public would be met with “horror” by the city insurance guys.
The solution is to get this damned bus system working!
The first step is to organize the system, using existing equipment, to establish longer operating hours and regular, dependable stops. This could be accomplished in a matter of days! I would suggest that for the first 120-180 days of the “new” system, ridership would be FREE! Just the novelty would encourage ridership.
Over time, implement the “surface subway” system that was discussed here many months ago.
Now the kicker.
In my opinion we will NEVER make any headway with a transit system until we make it so bloody expensive to park downtown, people are forced to use the bus! Couple that with regular terminal stops at the big employers and I believe we would see significant increase in use.
We also should not lose sight of the fact that we are dealing with 3-6% of the population at best!
There are a lot of legislators that will have a real problem with throwing money at such a small portion of the population.
Bottom line is that we simply have to do SOMETHING!!

I do not think we can only depend on the government to improve air quality. It will take a concerted effort from individuals, the business community and lastly the government. My solutions listed mainly involve the business community.

I agree with Cyclops comment about parking. Many downtown worker do not pay the full amount of their monthly parking bill. They are subsidized by their employer. A quick fix would be for employers to subsidize employees who find alternatives. Examples: full or partial payment of monthly bus pass, gift certificate from local bike shops.

The banking community is under enough scrutiny these days and they will be reforming the way mortgages are qualified. They can influence where people live by involving commute mileage in the loan calculation. The house that is $30,000 less in Nampa may not be cheaper when figuring gas and wear & tear.

I agree we need to do something. However, let’s keep this in perspective. Even with the increase in population, the winter AQ now (at least as measured by sight and smell) is much better now than in the 70s and 80s. I can remember days and days of smelling the sugar beet factory and dense fog. Part is due to a decrease in the number of strong long-lasting inversions. Part is due to a cutback in the number of wood stoves for heat. Part is due to lowered emissions per vehicle. I remember seeing a picture of Boise in the winter in the 30s. A black pall hung over the city from coal furnaces. We have come quite a long way.

Mr. Guardian… I appreciate the fact that you are making some suggestions. Many folks have a tendency to just wring their hands and demand that government take care of all our problems! (As if a “government solution” is something we all are entitled to, and won’t impact any of us… just the other guy.)

HOWEVER… you say, “Get the sinners out of their gas guzzlers, admit global warming is bad, stop building highways, live near your job, walk to Costco for those 48 rolls of toilet paper and 12 loaves of bread.”

I’m trying to decide if you’re serious, or if that should be taken tongue-in-cheek… or a little of both.

“Get the sinners out of their gas guzzlers.” Is there something wrong with that notion? (By the way, we’re all sinners!)

“Admit global warming is bad.” Might it be good? (By the way, I’m skeptical about humankind being the cause of global warming… but I’m pretty sure we’re causing the valley’s bad air. And I’d be shocked and awed if global warming didn’t come up tonight at the bad-air discussion.)

“Stop building highways.” Sounds good to me. More pavement isn’t the answer, or L.A. would have the fewest traffic problems. (I can’t imagine a fellow growthophobe would be in favor of MORE highways!)

“Live near your job.” Again… what’s wrong with that notion? My dad lived literally within eyesight of his office when I was a kid growing up in Boise. At 3.5 miles (by bicycle), I’m currently as far as I’ve ever been from work.

“Walk to Costco for those 48 rolls of toilet paper and 12 loaves of bread.” Frankly, that’s the only one that seems obviously facetious. But it illustrates how so many citizens tend to view transportation choices as an all-or-nothing deal. Sure, it makes sense to drive a car to Costco for that big shopping spree… but what does that have do with getting your sorry carcass and sack lunch to work 5 days a week? Is your need to go to Costco a couple times a month a valid excuse for ignoring any transportation option besides your Ford Expedition, for all your other trips as well?

Government and business can put incentives in place, to encourage people to make socially-responsible transportation choices. But as several other folks have pointed out, in our free society, ultimately it comes down to individual choice. As long as the vast majority of INDIVIDUALS are unwilling to adjust their personal habits (or feel that they’re already doing as much as they can), nothing will change in any significant way.

EDITOR NOTE–As usual, you make great sense. My post was indeed “a little or both” tongue in cheek and serious. Sorta like going to the doc and he says the sugar is a little high, you need to exercise, cut down on fats, and don’t smoke. EVERYONE knows it, but seldom do they actually follow through.

Finally, I think there is some middle ground to be had on cars, bikes, buses, etc. Clogging roads and “making it painful” helps no one.

George,your logic, and math, are perfect! Now, when are we going down to the north end and tell them that 500 of those homes are going to be turned into retail-commercial-and office spaces. You would hear the screaming from Missoula!

In reality, I am afraid that horse left the barn a long, long time ago

I once saw an Idaho State Police vehicle with one of those “Buckle Up” bumper stickers. What made this one different was the ultra fine-print that read: “It Makes It Harder For The Aliens To Suck You Out Of Your Car That Way”. Pretty damned funny!

And makes a helluva lot more sense than those found on SUV’s (occupied by lone individuals) that urge: “No Blood for Oil”, “Coexist”, and so on, Ad Nauseam.

Until we discontinue rewarding the utilization of these infrastructure straining, resource wasting, Uber polluting vehicles and begin rewarding those who use sane vehicles and alternative transportation, nothing will change.

For God’s sake… The City Owned (spare me the CCDC distinction) Parking Garages can’t even bring themselves to enforce the “Compact Car ONLY” Parking Spaces. A Non-Policy Sorta-Secretly Mandated by Councilwoman cum Mayor Tertling-Payne who lives in the Washington Mutual Bank Building adjacent to the City Centre Garage.

Spaces which were “invented” back-in-the-day to reward conscientious citizens with choice parking spots, and are now just a way to “Up” the number of parking spaces available on the books.