Endowment lands must be managed to generate the highest return, per the Constitution. Beyond that, I am uncertain why the Land Board would really care at all about the proposed land use. My suspicion is that Boise does not want to have to pay true market rent for the land, and the Land Board probably does not care about what goes on it, as long as it generates maximum return for the endowment.

I feel like I’m very supportive of the concept of “mass transit,” and hope the bus system improves and expands. But I’m certainly not convinced that Boise needs a transit center at this point. How’s about sinking that same $12 million into the bus system and increase ridership, and then build a transit palace once volume demands it?!!

Supporters should look to Spokane. They have a “transit center” that is apparently mostly serving as a place for the community’s homeless to hang out.

Not only d-u-m-b, but it’s an exceedingly ugly building design.

Interesting how VRT has spent money on a project on a site that they don’t control.

Imagine what they could do if they really knew what they were doing!

VRT is in charge of our buses (Valley Ride).
So VRT is pushing this building concept…Proving they are hosed! Any wonder our bus system is hosed?

I have talked to a couple bus drivers and they say Farris is the #1 problem. And once again the people that know the problem are in a good position to bring the problems to the surface- because either they will lose their union job with “stop the bus for a union 15 minute rest” or the route might actually become used and then they have to deal with customers instead of a quite empty bus.

And when a director serves a Board of 24 members- it’s impossible for 24 members to get any ‘management’ done. Farris has been there long enough to prove this is her ability to direct a bus system. It’s time to let someone else tackle it.

For example the “Advertise on a Bus Program” is managed by an ad agency in Reno. That’s nice- more quasi-govt money going out of state. $1400 a month to advertise on a bus- and how much of that goes back to VRT?

Does anyone think the bus system is being well managed?

I echo the sentiments posted above regarding Ms. Fairless’ (in)ability to manage this important facet of Treasure Valley living. For YEARS she’s thrown good money away to fund study after study that has done nothing to improve local transportation services. Meanwhile routes are getting cut, and I still can’t catch a bus after dinner or a happy hour cocktail (or 2), since the stinking bus system shuts down at 6:45.

Interesting how now the State cares about the historical character of the area…. but when it comes to building 6 story parking garages they don’t care a lick about the historical quality of an area… even if all other authorizing bodies say it is a no go.

This state…. smh

Is the $5 loss per rider a result of very low capacity utilization? Or do they always plan to run at a loss and be subsidized by taxpayers?