Ride TFT Year 1: Is Twin Falls Ready For Public Buses?
Ride TFT Year in Review: Interview with Maxine Durand, City Transit Coordinator
The Ride Twin Falls Transit program, featuring scheduled and on-demand ride services, marks Twin Falls' first step in providing affordable public transportation and has been running for just over a year. Rides to any of its service areas in Twin Falls cost only $3 or $1 for disabled and senior citizens. Since its beginnings, the program has grown, added vans, expanded service hours, and extended its destination area to include Magic Valley Regional Airport.
I interviewed Maxine Durand, the city transit coordinator, to get an update on the current state of the program, its challenges, and future plans, including the possibility of expanding the program to include fixed-route transportation.
Positive Feedback and Measurable Increases in Usage
Maxine Durand highlighted the positive reception the Ride Twin Falls Transit program has received from the community. She mentioned that the program's success stems from addressing a significant demand for public transportation, particularly among seniors and those who previously could not afford or did not use cabs.
'We didn't know how much demand we would have,' Maxine stated. 'But the response has been overwhelming. The majority of the community has been great, and we see high participation rates, especially among seniors.'
The data supports the assertion: The trend of growth continues, and as vans have been added, participation has kept pace. It’s worth noting that Idaho Falls launched a similar program and in just one year, Ride TFT has already surpassed its counterpart in Idaho Falls. In July 2024, Idaho Falls carried 8215 passengers, while Twin Falls beat that number, transporting 8802. Impressive numbers considering the population of Idaho Falls exceeds that of Twin Falls by about 10,000.
Challenges Faced
Despite the positive reception, the program faces several challenges. One significant issue is the limited number of vehicles and drivers, leading to capacity constraints. The current system isn’t able to sustain the number of ADA passengers who make up over 50% of riders, combined with those over age 60.
'We need more vans and drivers to meet the growing demand,' Maxine explained. 'Public participation is high, but our resources are limited. We're constantly trying to balance the demand with our available capacity.'
Future Plans - Will Twin Falls Ever See a Public Bussing System?
Looking ahead, Maxine outlined plans to expand the fleet from 8 to 10 vans and improve the service to keep up with demand.
'We are looking to add more vans and hire additional drivers to manage the current flow and meet future demand.'
Maxine also discussed the possible need to integrate more advanced transportation systems in the future.
'As Twin Falls grows, we'll need more than just vans. Fixed transportation systems might become necessary to handle the increasing demand efficiently.'
If you note the heat map below, Maxine points out the current demand pattern (based on current drop-off data) where a potential bussing system could be deployed along Pole Line and Blue Lakes. Could it be that Twin Falls is ready for a hybrid system that incorporates a fixed bus route into the current model?
Find More Information about Ride Twin Falls Transit
The Ride Twin Falls Transit program has made notable strides in its first year, providing much-needed, affordable public transportation services to the community. Maxine Durand remains optimistic about the future, focusing on growing the program to better serve Twin Falls residents.
For more information about the Ride Twin Falls Transit program, visit their website or contact Maxine Durand directly.