RIDE TFT, Twin Falls’ first public micro-transit system, became available on July 1, 2023. RIDE TFT, or Twin Falls Transit, operates within city limits and is an alternative to fixed bus routes due to the city’s layout and the lack of density.
“The goal remains the same: to serve those individuals in Twin Falls that do not have adequate transportation options due to various factors including age, disability, and financial constraints,” said Mandi Thompson, Community Relations, Grant Director, and Assistant to the City Manager of Twin Falls.
To better suit individuals needing a public transport system, RIDE TFT is defined as a demand-response service offering door-to-door accessibility where drivers can pick up riders from their exact location. Clientele can schedule rides up to seven days in advance and access the service via the dispatch line or through the “RIDE TFT” app. The service is operable from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
“The community that needs this type of service is either elderly, handicapped, low income, doesn’t have a car, relies on family for rides, and otherwise wouldn’t be able to get around town. Those are the people trying to serve,” stated Ruth Pierce, Twin Falls City Mayor.
However, Maxine Durand, Transportation coordinator for the City of Twin Falls, wants the public to know that RIDE TFT is intended to help the community, regardless of who uses it. “The truth is it’s for everybody, and we want to work towards making sure people know that,” Durand commented.
Hired on June 20th, 2023, Maxine Durand has worked with the city council to start the program. As public transit moves forward, Durand and the Twin Falls City Council intend to grow the program, provide more vans and drivers, and extend beyond city limits to serve more of the community.
Twin Falls has been planning to implement a public transport system for over a decade, knowing that once the city’s population hits 50,000, federal funding would become available. When CSI announced the closing of “Trans IV,” a sister transport service, on September 30, 2022, the Twin Falls City Council began discussing options for transit the following year.
RIDE TFT is currently being funded by a grant from the Idaho Transportation Department with $3 million for the first two years. Once the pilot period ends, Funding will be supplied by federal, state, and local contributors.
Download the Ride Twin Falls Transit app at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.downtownerapp.twinfalls or call 208-974-7433 for service.
Steve or Debbie Buchko • Dec 23, 2023 at 7:50 pm
I have left a couple of messages with TFT in regard to being left on the street in the cold with no ride and sudden cancellations I’m so perplexed. I have a disability that leaves me to be immobile and a learning disability as well and I have planned all my trips out online but lately they just don’t pick me up or they pick me up and then they don’t come back and get me when I booked it online for 1 hour pick up. I’ve had to call several times to let them know that I am disabled I am standing waiting for my ride to pick me up only to see that there was a text saying the ride was canceled and when I call in absolutely nobody knows what’s going on or why this keeps happening.