Spokane has a population of 198,081. Spokane Transit - funded in part by a small local option sales tax - offers 40 bus routes that run all day long, plus evenings and weekends, including Sundays.
Boise has a population of 198,638. Valley Ride has 15 city bus routes, none running past 7 p.m. nor on Sundays, and only eight of which run on Saturday. Some routes run only once an hour.
Boise City Council candidate TJ Thomson recognizes that our city could do much better when it comes to public transit, and that's a key reason I will be voting for him on Nov. 3. What we really need to do is elect TJ to the Idaho Legislature where - eventually, along with enough other forward-thinking people from the western part of the Treasure Valley who are not now serving - he can pass local-option legislation that allows Boiseans and other Treasure Valley citizens to make our own transit decisions.
For now, however, let's get TJ on Boise City Council, where he will pursue better, more usable bus service; promote safer biking and walking routes; and lay the groundwork for light rail in our growing Valley.
JULIE FANSELOW, Boise
