Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade

Jefferson Park & Ride Lot Will Be Closed: May 18, 19 and 20, 2012

The Jefferson Park and Ride lot will be closed May 18, 19 and 20 to public parking for storage of the Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade floats.

A temporary bus stop will be added at Cedar Street and Fourth Avenue for passengers using the #62 Medical Lake, #66 Cheney/EWU and #165 Cheney Express.

The lot will reopen to the public at 1 p.m., Sunday May 20.

Bus Service: Saturday, May 19, 2012

Spokane Transit will operate Saturday bus service during and one trip after the parade on Saturday May 19. Additionally, the following service changes will be made to accommodate the parade and STA riders.

7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Spokane Falls Blvd. will be closed west of Stevens for a car show. Inbound routes #25 Division and #39 Mission will travel on Stevens to The Plaza.

3 p.m.
Washington Street between Boone and Main avenues, and Spokane Falls Blvd. from Bernard to Stevens streets will close for parade formation. Routes #25 Division, #27 Crestline and the #39 Mission will detour from these areas. All bus routes will continue to depart from The Plaza before 5 p.m.

5 p.m. Through the Evening
The Plaza will remain open; however, the bus routes will detour the downtown area and The Plaza to accommodate the parade. The buses will depart on schedule from the alternate zones (see map on reverse), located on Howard Street and 2nd and 3rd avenues. The buses will be routed toward the alternate boarding zones using Monroe Avenue, 2nd, 3rd, Division and Browne streets. The last regular Saturday service departure from the alternate zones is through 9:25 p.m. Refer to passenger schedules for departure times.

After the Parade
One additional trip will be available from the alternate zones 15 minutes after the parade ends. No additional trips will be provided on Spokane Valley routes beyond the Valley Transit Center.

Paratransit
The last return trip pick-up for paratransit passengers will be at 11 p.m.

Route Performance Report

The current report uses operating data from 2010 and 2011.

Annual Route Performance Report: 2010/2011 Operating Data

STA Moving Forward: Open House

STA Plaza: Wednesday, May 16, Second Floor Rotunda 4-6:00 p.m.

Find out more at www.stamovingforward.com

STA Board Meetings: Moving to Boone Facility

Click the link below to view all the public meetings schedules:

Public Meetings 2012

STA Linked

Check the boxes below to activate messaging for routes and/or STA information.

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Contact Information

Cell Phone Number:		- -
Cell Phone Carrier:
		You will receive 5 alerts/mo. Message & Data Rates May Apply, Text STOP to end or HELP for Help
Email Address:
First Name:
Last Name:
Route Detours/Notices:		#1 & #2 Shuttles #20 SFCC #21 West Broadway #22 Northwest Blvd #23 Maple/Ash #24 Monroe #25 Division #26 Lidgerwood #27 Hillyard #28 Nevada #29 SCC #32 Trent/Montgomery #33 Wellesley #39 Mission #42 South Adams #43 Lincoln/37th Ave #44 29th Ave #45 Regal #60 Airport via Browne's Add. #61 Hwy2 via Browne's Add. #62 Medical Lake #66 Cheney/EWU #68 Cheney Local #90 Sprague #94 East Central/Millwood #96 Pines/Sullivan #97 South Valley #98 Liberty Lake via Sprague #124 North Express #165 Cheney Express #173 VTC Express #174 Liberty Lake Express
STA Information:		Special Event Service (Bloomsday, Hoopfest etc.) Planning Initiatives/Updates Board Meeting Agendas Service Changes Employment Opportunities

2012-2014 Service Implementation Plan

Each year STA prepares a Service Implementation Plan to document route performance and identify pending and potential changes and improvements to fixed-route bus service for the next several years. The plan is intended to identify near-term strategies for service improvement to implement the Comprehensive Plan for public transportation.

Click on the link below to view the proposed 2012-2014 Service Implementation Plan. Please note that this is a draft and is subject to change. A public hearing to review the plan will take place at the June 21^st board meeting.

2012-2014 Service Implementation Plan (DRAFT)

____________________________________

2011-2013 Service Implementation Plan

A public hearing on the draft plan was held on June 15 and was approved by the STA Board of Directors on July 20, 2011.

To view a copy of the 2011-2013 Service Implementation Plan, click here.

STA Wins National Award for Safety & Security

STA Security Efforts Win National Praise

Photo Left: Board Chair Al French and CEO E. Susan Meyer accept a Gold Standard Award on behalf of STA from Ginny Wise, Director of Grants Programs at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), for achieving the highest standard of excellence in security.

"TSA recognizes the continued dedication individual transit agencies demonstrate every day to ensure the safety of travelers nationwide," said TSA Administrator John S. Pistole.

On Wednesday, March 21, 2012, representatives from the TSA presented Spokane Transit with the “Gold Standard” award, recognizing the highest rating a mass transit system can achieve on the agency’s most recent Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement (BASE). The presentation took place at the STA monthly board meeting.

TSA’s BASE program is designed to establish a security standard for individual system security programs and track progress. This voluntary comprehensive review of transit agency security programs focuses on multiple categories identified by the transit community as fundamentals for a sound transit security program. They include a review of topics such as an agency’s security plans, security training, drills/exercise programs, public outreach efforts and background check programs.

Bloomsday 2012

Ride STA to Bloomsday

Buy a Spokane Transit Bloomsday Shuttle pass when you register for the race online and it will be printed on your race number. Or, you can also purchase a Bloomsday Shuttle sticker pass at the STA booth at the Bloomsday Trade Show, The Plaza or the Bus Shop on Boone for just a dollar and a half. Stick it on your race number and be ready to show it to the driver or STA staff member as you board the bus. The pass on your number (if you purchase during online registration) and the sticker are both good for the shuttle routes and traditional fixed routes all day May 6, 2012. Visit Bloomsdayrun.org for more information about the big race.

STA will have a booth at Bloomsday Check-In (near the Corporate Cup booth) on May 4 and 5 to sell bus sticker passes and to provide any additional information.

Fare Information

Regular Sunday service fares remain the same. Passes, cash, transfers, as well as the $1.50 Bloomsday Shuttle sticker will be accepted on all regular service on Bloomsday. Without a pass, you can still use the shuttle service for $1.50 each way on race morning. Exact change required. Click the following link to view the Bloomsday Fare Information flier.

Downtown Detours and Alernate Zones

Due to the closure of many downtown streets for the race, The Plaza will be closed to bus traffic on Bloomsday morning. All downtown routes will detour and use an alternate boarding and alighting area. Click the following link to view the Downtown Bus Service Detours and Alternate Zones Map flier. STA operates earlier than normal inbound service on some routes. Click the following link to view the List of Routes with Earlier Service flier.

Remember the Two-Hour Rule
Due to Bloomsday’s staggered race start times, STA has coordinated its express shuttle pick- up and return times to shorten your wait time at the starting line and be there for you after the race. Be mindful of your race number’s color, which determines your starting time; arrive at your shuttle stop at least two-hours prior to ensure you get enough time to warm up or stretch.

Express Shuttles

Shuttles run to downtown: 6:30-8:30 a.m.
Shuttles run from downtown: 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Each Shuttle lot is serviced by regular fixed route operations until 7 p.m., catch the bus at The Plaza.

Click the following link to view the Express Shuttle Service flier.

Spokane Transit Bloomsday Express Shuttle Locations
• Spokane Valley Mall: Board near Winger’s eastbound on Indiana - Click the following link to view the NEW Valley Mall Passenger Staging Procedure
• Ferris High School: Board near 37th and Regal
• Northtown Mall: Board on east side of the mall near Lidgerwood and Wellesley
• Cheney/EWU: Board at the Red Barn near 7th and Washington Click the following link to viewmore information on Express Bus Service EWU/Cheney

Bloomsday Paratransit Service
STA Paratransit service is available on Bloomsday for people with disabilities. Regular fares apply. Paratransit will drop off and pick up passengers at Fire Station #1, at Browne and Riverside. For reservations, please call 328-1552 (TDD 327-6055).

Additional Early Service on Route #61 Highway 2 via Browne's Addition. Click the following link to view more information: Service From West Plains, Airway Heights, Fairchild AFB, Northern Quest Casino and Sunset Hill

Capital Improvement Plan

A public hearing on an amendment to Spokane Transit’s 2012 through 2017 Capital Improvement Plan – Fleet Replacement Schedule was held to receive public testimony at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15,2012 in the Council Chambers, City of Spokane, 808 West Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, Washington, 99201. A public hearing on the draft document was held on September 21, 2011, and approved by Spokane Transit’s Board of Directors at the October 19, 2011 meeting.

Proposed changes to the plan appear on page 8 of the Capital Improvement Plan and have to do with the procurement of fixed-route coaches.

Click the following link to view the page with the Proposed Changes to the Capital Improvement Plan.

Click the following link to view the adopted Capital Improvement Plan.

Presidents Day Holiday

Fixed-Route:

Spokane Transit will operate Holiday Service for Presidents Day, Monday, February 20, 2012. Holiday service is the same as Sunday service. Please check individual route schedules for exact holiday service times.

Paratransit:

Paratransit hours of service are comparable to the bus routes hours of service, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. If your trip begins early in the morning or ends late at night, ask the Paratransit Reservationists to help you identify the corresponding pick-up/drop-off times that will most closely meet your travel needs. Call (509) 328-1552 for trip reservations.

Driven to Excellence - A Progress Report

Although 2011 was a challenging year, it was also interesting and productive. Click here to take a look at some of the highlights in STA's 2011 Progress Report - Driven to Excellence.

City Of Spokane Declares Stage 2 Snow Condition

Spokane Mayor David Condon is announcing that the City is upgrading its snow declaration to a Stage 2, which means the City will complete a full-City plow of all arterials and residential streets. Private contract graders will be called in to supplement City Street, Water, and Wastewater employees in the plowing effort.

The City is changing it approach for plowing overnight based on conditions. Crews will focus on plowing the arterials again and will begin plowing streets in the Central Business District, racking the snow to the center of the street in most cases.

This work creates berms down the center of the downtown streets. Motorists should not attempt to cross the berms. Citizens must move vehicles from on-street parking downtown between 2 and 6 a.m. Additionally, parked cars must be moved from arterials and bus routes by 6:30 p.m.

Work around the medical district likely will not occur tonight.

“Street conditions required us to step up our snow removal efforts for a second time today and to adjust our plans,” says Mayor Condon.

Plowing is expected to begin in the residential areas in the early morning hours. Crews will begin in the residential hill routes, those numbered 20 and above on the residential plow route map: www.spokanestreetdepartment.org/documents/snowroutemap.pdf. On the south, they will begin in route 21 and then move to routes 20 and 24. On the north, they will begin in route 22 and then move to route 23.

Citizens should park on the odd side of the street in all residential areas. The requirement begins at 12:30 a.m. Friday in the residential hill routes, and at 6 a.m. Friday in all other residential areas.

The City has had more than 30 pieces of equipment out all day, including plows, graders, and de-icers. Additional crews from other City departments are joining the effort this evening, with more anticipated in the early morning hours. The additional City crews will more than double the plowing effort. And private contractors will add even more to that total.

Check the progress of City plows. Citizens also can call the City’s recorded Snow Removal Hotline at 456-2666. Citizens can be notified of updated information by following the City on Twitter or by liking the City’s official Facebook page.

When driving in these wintry conditions, the City is asking motorists to slow down, be patient, and drive according to the conditions. Don't follow plows closely, and please do not try to pass plow trucks; it is very dangerous.

Please assist your neighbors who may need help removing snow from their driveways and sidewalks. And don’t blow or shovel snow into the street, but back into your yard. That will prevent more snow and ice from being pushed onto sidewalks and the end of driveways by City plows.

Restricting parking during snow removal efforts allows plow drivers to clear away more snow, widening the area available for vehicles and generally improving driveability. In the residential areas, parking on one side of the street also allows plow drivers to move away from the curb, reducing the amount of snow and ice that ends up on sidewalks and at the end of driveways.

Special Board Meeting January 13, 2012

Date: Friday, January 13, 2012
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Place: Spokane Transit Boardroom, located at 1230 W Boone Avenue.

PUBLIC NOTICE: A continuation of the December 15, 2011 public hearing on amendments to Connect Spokane: A Comprehensive Plan for Public Transportation will be held during this board meeting.

To view the Public Notice for the continuation of the public hearing on amendments to Connect Spokane, click here.

To view the proposed amendments to Connect Spokane: A Comprehensive Plan for Public Transportation, click here.

Public Meetings 2012

Below are the Spokane Transit Board of Directors and each of STA's committee meeting schedules, agendas and minutes for 2012. Links to previous year's schedules, agendas and minutes appear at the bottom of this page.

Spokane Transit Board of Directors

Board Members

New Meeting Dates

Beginning May 17, 2012, STA Board meetings will be moved to the third Thursday of the month at the STA Boardroom, 1229 W. Boone Ave, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon. The April meeting will occur on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at City Hall Council Chambers. The only other exception is the July meeting, which will occur on Wednesday, July 25, 2012, at 12:30 p.m. at the STA Boardroom, 1229 W. Boone Ave.

Unless otherwise noted below, all meetings are on the third Thursday of every month from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon There is no Board meeting in August. Agendas are generally posted on this site the Friday before each meeting.

The broadcast of the video (see live link below) of the STA Board Meetings on City Cable Channel 5 occurs at 4:00 p.m. on the Saturday following the meeting, 10:00 a.m. on the Monday following the meeting and at 8:00 p.m. on the Tuesday following the meeting.

View the April 2012 Board Meeting Video: Click here.

Are you having problems viewing the videos at Vimeo? Click here.

JANUARY 13TH SPECIAL MEETING - A continuation of the December 15, 2011 Spokane Transit Authority public hearing on amendments to Connect Spokane: A Comprehensive Plan for Public Transportation will be held to receive public testimony at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, January 13, 2012, in the Spokane Transit Authority Special Boardroom located at 1230 W Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99201.

2012 Meeting Schedule	Meeting Agenda	Approved Minutes
January 13 (Special Meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the STA Boardroom)	Agenda	Minutes
February 15	Agenda	Minutes
March 21	Agenda	Minutes
April 18	Agenda	Minutes
May 17	Agenda
June 21
July 25 (4th Wednesday at 12:30 pm)
August/No Meeting
September 20
October 18
November 15
December 20

Meeting minutes are generally approved at the following month’s meeting.
*NA – not available

Board Operations Committee

The Board Operations Committee Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month, in the Southside Conference Room,1229 West Boone Avenue, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. unless noted otherwise.

2012 Meeting Schedule	Agenda	Approved Minutes
January 12, 2012	Agenda	Minutes
February 8, 2012	Agenda	Minutes
March 14, 2012	Agenda	Minutes
April 11, 2012	Agenda	Minutes
May 9, 2012	Agenda
June 13, 2012
July 18, 2012 (3rd Wednesday)
August - No Meeting Scheduled
September 12, 2012
October 10, 2012
November 7, 2012 (1st Wednesday)
December 12, 2012

*NA – not available

Planning & Development Committee

The Planning & Development Committee Meeting occurs on the first Wednesday of the month (unless noted otherwise) in the Southside Conference Room,1229 West Boone Avenue, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

2012 Meeting Schedule	Agenda	Approved Minutes
January 2012	NA	NA
February 2012	NA	NA
March 7, 2012	Agenda
April 4, 2012	Agenda
May 2, 2012
June 6, 2012
July 11, 2012 (2nd Wednesday)
August - No Meeting Scheduled
September 5, 2012
October 3, 2012
October 31, 2012 (November Meeting)
December 5, 2012

*NA – not available

Performance Monitoring & External Relations Committee

The Performance Monitoring & External Relations Committee Meeting occurs on the first Wednesday of the month (unless noted otherwise) in the Southside Conference Room,1229 West Boone Avenue, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

2012 Meeting Schedule	Agenda	Approved Minutes
January 2012	NA	NA
February 2012	NA	NA
March 7, 2012	Agenda	Minutes
April 4, 2012	Agenda
May 2, 2012
June 6, 2012
July 11, 2012 (2nd Wednesday)
August - No Meeting Scheduled
September 5, 2012
October 3, 2012
October 31, 2012 (November Meeting)
December 5, 2012

*NA – not available

Citizen Advisory Committee

CAC Members and Charter

All meetings are the second Wednesday of the month (except August) at 5:00 p.m. in the Southside Conference Room,1229 West Boone Avenue (unless otherwise noted).

2012 Meeting Schedule	Agenda	Approved Minutes
January 11, 2012	Agenda	Minutes
February 8, 2012	Agenda	Minutes
March 14, 2012	Agenda	Minutes
April 11, 2012	Agenda	Minutes
May 9, 2012	Agenda
June 13, 2012
July 18, 2012 (3rd Wednesday)
September 12, 2012
October 10, 2012
November 14, 2012
December 12, 2012

Meeting minutes are generally approved at the following month’s meeting.
*NA – not available

Operations and Customer Service Committee

Committee Members and Duties

All meetings are Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. in the Southside Conference Room, 1229 West Boone Avenue (unless otherwise noted).

2012 Meeting Schedule	Agenda	Approved Minutes
January (Cancelled)
February	Agenda	Minutes

Meeting minutes are generally approved at the following month’s meeting.
*NA – not available

2011 STA Public Meeting archive, click here.

2010 STA Public Meeting archive, click here.

2009 STA Public Meeting archive, click here.

2008 STA Public Meeting archive, click here.

EWU Route 66 Winter Break

While EWU is on winter break from December 12 through January 6, Route 66 will operate on non-school weekday schedule. Click on the link 66 EWU to view schedule details.

Draft 2012 Budget: Public Hearing November 16

STA's Draft 2012 Budget (click the link to view) is available to the public for review and consideration.

November 16: Board Meeting: Public Hearing on 2012 Budget

December 15 Board Meeting: Adoption of 2012 Budget

2010 Performance Measures Archive

2010 Performance Measures:

Each of the priorities stated above is tied to a set of objective, measureable Performance Measures. The goals/standards for each measure are set annually and approved by the Board of Directors. Our results are reported quarterly. Links to the most current quarterly report and the list of annual measures are listed below.

2010 Performance Measures: Goals and Objectives

First Quarter 2010 Performance Measures

Second Quarter 2010 Performance Measures

Third Quarter 2010 Performance Measures

Fourth Quarter 2010 and Year-End Performance Measures: Goals and Objectives

Fourth Quarter 2010 and Year-End Performance Measures

Zone & Schedule Changes: November 13th

Click on the links below to view the pdf files of the new schedules with the effective date of November 13, 2011.

Boarding Zone Changes:

On Sunday, November 13, routes boarding in Zones 2, 3 & 4 will move east one Zone for passenger boarding. Route 90 Sprague will now board in Zone 2 rather than Zone 5.

#25 Division will move to Zone 4

#26 Lidgerwood will move to Zone 5

#28 Nevada will move to Zone 5

#29 SCC will move to Zone 5

#39 Mission will move to Zone 5

#44 29^th Ave will move to Zone 3

#45 Regal will move to Zone 3

#90 Sprague will move to Zone 2

#94 East Central/Millwood will move to Zone 4 (weekdays) & Zone 3 (nights & weekends)

Arrival Zone Changes:

Due to the Boarding Zone changes, Route 20 SFCC will now arrive in Zone 3 as will the weekday arrival of the 21 West Broadway & 23 Maple/Ash. Routes 24 Monroe, 60 Airport, 66 EWU/Cheney & 165 Cheney Express will arrive in Zone 5.

Schedule Changes:

Routes 1 & 2 Downtown Shuttles, 22 Northwest Blvd, 27 Hillyard & 43 Lincoln/37th will have scheduled timepoint changes and some altered arrival Zones. New schedules for these routes will be printed for rider distribution as soon as possible.

Bus Passes at Retail Outlets

The stores listed below will be selling 31 Day Passes ONLY (Adult, Youth and Reduced Fare) beginning November 1, 2011. This will be a terrific venue to buy passes without having to go to The Plaza or the Bus Shop, Too on Boone. You will soon see the sticker on the front of the stores where the passes are sold.

Below are the following locations that will be selling the 31 Day passes at their customer service counters (not at each register):

Rosauers:

1808 W 3rd Avenue
10618 E Sprague Avenue
1724 W Francis Avenue
907 W 14th Avenue
2610 E 29th Ave
9414 N Division Street

Super One Foods:

830 E 29th Ave

Huckleberry's:

926 S Monroe

STA CEO Meyer Appointed to State Transportation Task Force

Governor Gregoire recently appointed E. Susan Meyer to the prestigious Connecting Washington Task Force. The assembly is made up of a group of locally elected officials, business and association leaders and various members of advocacy groups who are tasked with reviewing and recommending transportation projects and potential revenue sources. A complete press release from the governor's office with a list of the appointees can be found at the following link:

Gregoire announces appointments to Connecting Washington Task Force

September 2011 Service Change Schedules (TEST)

The September service change is the result of a long interaction between the STA Board of Directors, STA Staff and most importantly the riders and members of the community who use the STA fixed route bus system. To view an archive of the pages and information provided to the public during the process, click here. NOTE: Some bus stops may have incorrect route information or be marked for removal on some routes as STA prepares for the September service change. To review the Stop consolidation plan, click here.

To view a pdf copy of the trifold Service Change Notice distributed in the buses, click here.

The titles of the routes below are linked to pdf files for the new schedules that are being submitted for commercial printing. All but the City Loop schedules (20, 33 & 44) will fit on a regular 11x17 sheet of paper (use the "Reduce to Fit" option in your print dialog screen if you are printing the City Loop schedule). Look for individual pages for each route (similar to the way the current routes are displayed) to be available online soon and printed schedules to be available by the end of August.

1 Plaza/Arena Shuttle Most trips continue as Route 2 Southside Medical Shuttle
2 Southside Medical Shuttle New weekend & night service; will continue as Route 1 on weekdays
20 SFCC Timepoint & zone changes; City Loop still in place
21 West Broadway Reduced late night and Sunday service to every 60 minutes
22 Northwest Blvd Extended routing to Five Mile Park and Ride; no North Loop
23 Maple/Ash New night & Sunday service; timepoint changes
24 Monroe Timepoint & zone changes
25 Division 15-minute service on Saturdays to/from Francis; timepoint changes
26 Lidgerwood New connections to Riverpoint Campus; timepoint changes
27 Hillyard Extended to provide service on Francis; no North Loop; timepoints
28 Nevada New connections to Riverpoint Campus; timepoint changes
29 SCC Timepoint & zone changes; discontinued service to Minnehaha
30 Francis DISCONTINUED (service provided by extended routes 22 and 27)
31 Garland DISCONTINUED
32 Trent/Montgomery Improved connections at SCC; timepoint changes
33 Wellesley Timepoint changes; City Loop still in place
39 Mission Increased service on Mission Avenue and new service to Minnehaha
41 Latah DISCONTINUED
42 South Adams Serves Deaconess Hospital & South Adams & Madison Streets
43 Lincoln/37th Ave Serves South Maple/Walnut couplet
44 29th Ave Timepoint & zone changes; City Loop still in place
45 Regal 15-minute service to/from 57th Ave. during peak periods; timepoints
46 Altamont DISCONTINUED
60 Airport via Browne’s Addition Timepoint & zone changes
61 Hwy 2 via Browne’s Addition New night & weekend service to Medical Lake
62 Medical Lake No night or weekend service
65 Cheney Becomes renamed commuter express service; see Routes 66 & 165
66 Cheney/EWU New service nights & weekends & increased frequency on weekdays
67 Medical Lake/Geiger DISCONTINUED
68 Cheney Local New local service in Cheney
72 Liberty Lake Express Service integrated into 174 Liberty Lake Express
73 VTC Express Becomes 173 VTC Express
74 Valley Limited Becomes 174 Liberty Lake Express
90 Sprague 15-minute service on Saturdays; route ends at VTC; timepoint changes
91 Mission Renamed as Route 39, serves Minnehaha
94 East Central/Millwood Later weeknight service
95 Millwood DISCONTINUED (service provided by route 94)
96 Pines/Sullivan New Night & Sunday service; service to Mirabeau & E. Wellesley
97 South Valley Timepoint & zone changes
98 Liberty Lake via Sprague New service to Liberty Lake from the VTC seven days a week
124 North Express Reduced frequency at beginning and end of peak travel times
165 Cheney Express New commuter service to Cheney
173 VTC Express Timepoint & zone changes
174 Liberty Lake Express New 15-minute frequency during peak periods, limited midday service

Vimeo Help

Vimeo is a video hosting service that allows users to "stream" video for online viewing, much like YouTube. The videos of the STA Board meetings are very lengthy, which can create problems due to variances in viewers’ internet connection speeds and video playing capabilities (determined by individual hardware and software configurations). The most common problem is with navigating through a video as the connection tries to “buffer” the playback by loading information into temporary memory storage, or cache. This can often cause the video to pause indefinitely.
If you are having problems and need to be able to view and navigate throughout an STA Board video hosted at Vimeo, try “right-clicking” and choosing the “Save-as” option and then download the entire video to your hard drive before viewing. If you still have problems, you can request a copy of the video on DVD be sent to you by contacting Jan Watson, Clerk of the Authority at 325-6096.

Return to Public Meetings 2011

September 2011 Service Change Schedules

To view a pdf copy of the trifold Service Change Notice distributed in the buses, click here.

Draft Service Implementation Plan

A public hearing on the draft plan was held on June 15 and was approved by the STA Board of Directors on July 20, 2011.

To view a copy of the 2011-2013 Service Implementation Plan, click here.

Josh Beckett: City of Liberty Lake

Attended North Idaho College and Eastern Washington University.

I met my wife Jamie in college and we have two daughters, Kylie and Makayla. Prior to relocating to Liberty Lake I worked for Safeco Insurance. My five years at Safeco I held a number of leadership positions, including the Director of Corporate Culture. I was one of the authors of Safeco's Diversity Strategy that positioned the company to be a market leader in emerging markets around the country. My last 2 years at Safeco I reported directly to the CEO, Mike McGavick.

Upon relocating to Liberty Lake I was hired as a Program Manager for Premera Blue Cross. I develop comprehensive billing systems to seek opportunity savings and efficiencies. I led a team of Program/Project Managers that were located in multiple offices.

Additionally, I spend as much time as possible volunteering and giving back to my community. My family and I cook a monthly dinner at the teen homeless shelter, Crosswalk, in downtown Spokane. I'm an advisory committee member for the Spokane Teachers Credit Union board of directors.

I was one of the founding board members of the Human Rights Education Institute, which is located in downtown Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. I've also served as a board member and vice president of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations. The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations is the oldest grassroots organization combating hate and violence in our community. The Task Force was instrumental with waging the lawsuit against the Aryan Nations, which led to the hate groups to disband. We worked very closely with Morris Dees of the Southern Poverty Law Center.

2003-2005 I was an elected board member of the Urban League of Metropolitan of Seattle.

I ran for the council, not because I thought I have all the great ideas, but rather to help influence the conversation. I know I will stumble from time to time, but I'm ready to ask the tough questions and take a strong leadership position. My goal is, by the end of my term, to have helped shape the future for our city and the greater Liberty Lake Community.

Nancy McLaughlin: Spokane City Council

Nancy McLaughlin is serving her second term on the Spokane City Council. In 1995, she co-founded the North Hill Neighborhood Observation Patrol in order to ensure the security and peace of her neighborhood. Nancy has also served as a block watch captain, former chair of District 81’s Citizens Advisory Committee, and a member of the Spokane County Domestic Violence Consortium Workshop. She brings to the Council the values of working hard, being a responsible neighbor, and staying true to her word.

Nancy is married to David McLaughlin and they own and operate a kitchen and bathroom remodeling company. In 1978, they purchased a home in the Northwest district of Spokane where they still live today. They have three grown children and three very special granddaughters.

Awards:

Chase Youth Commission's Champion of Youth Award
Spokane Outstanding Citizen Award
Community Oriented Police Service Award

Boards and Commissions:

Finance Committee
Public Safety Committee
Public Works Committee
Planning, Community and Economic Development Committee
Spokane County Growth Management Act Steering Committee (GMA)
Spokane Transit Authority
University District Advisory Council
Association of Washington Cities (AWC), Vice President
- Employee Benefit Trust, Vice Chair
- State Long-Term Legislative Committee, Chair
- Legislative Committee
- Education Advisory Committee
National League of Cities (NLC)
- Transportation Infrastructure and Services Steering Committee

Community and Volunteer Activities – Past and Present:

Life Services Board of Directors
Graduate of Leadership Spokane Class of 2008
Spokane College Women’s Association
Graduate of the Spokane Police Department’s Citizens Academy
Precinct Committee Officer
District 81’s Citizens Advisory Committee
Spokane County Domestic Violence Consortium Workshop
Co-founder of the North Hill Neighborhood Observation Patrol
Block Watch Captain
North Central High School Executive Committee
North Central High School Restructuring Committee

Richard Rush: Spokane City Council

Richard grew up in the segregated South in the 1950's. His hometown of Tuskegee was the first in the state of Alabama to see its public schools desegregated in 1963. Most of his former classmates fled desegregation for private all-white academies.

His father, who had helped minority citizens register to vote, and his mother, who accepted an appointment to the school board to replace a member who resigned in protest of desegregation, kept him and his sister in public school. He graduated from Tuskegee High in a class of 16.

Richard earned a bachelor's degree in 1973 and his MBA in 1986. He has been active in retail and property management, political activism and spent the last ten years as a full-time parent. He is a 16- year resident of Spokane with a record of civic engagement beginning in 1995 with participation in Spokane Horizons, the foundation of the City's Comprehensive Plan.

In 1999 he focused on resource protection work with Friends of the Aquifer, a process that raised awareness of the region's sole source aquifer.
This effort in part spawned a $3.5 million aquifer study (completed in 2008) deepening our understanding of the nature and limits of our region's water supply. Friends of the Aquifer also successfully turned back attempts by two speculative energy companies to use vast amounts of the region's water resource for electricity generation.

Richard served on the Cliff-Cannon Neighborhood Council Executive Committee from 2001-2008. He has championed compliance with the City's Comprehensive Plan since its adoption in 2001.

His interests include public policy analysis, mountain biking, yoga, transcendental meditation, gardening and cooking. He is married with two children.

Boards and Commissions:

Finance Committee
I.T. Governance
Planning, Community/Economic Development (PCED)
Public Works Committee, Chair
Spokane County Growth Management Steering Committee of Elected Officials (GMA)
Spokane Public Library Board of Trustees
Spokane Transit Authority (STA)
Solid Waste Advisory Committee
Solid Waste Liaison Board

Amber Waldref: Spokane City Council

Born and raised in Northeast Spokane, Amber holds undergraduate degrees in sociology and English from Georgetown University and a M.A. from Antioch University, Seattle. She has worked at the federal, state and local levels in the non-profit sector as an environmental and public health advocate, promoting effective clean-up of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation and the Spokane River, among other issues. Amber has partnered with educational and social agencies, including Eastern Washington University and United Way, in developing the Spokane Community Indicators Initiative, which aims to create a healthier, more vibrant community by using data to identify needs, priorities, and opportunities for economic, social, and environmental progress. She is a graduate of Leadership Spokane, Class of 2008.

Amber is an active volunteer in the Logan neighborhood, where she lives with her husband and daughters. She is committed to open communication and involving citizens at the neighborhood level in identifying ways to enhance our great city.

Her Priorities Are:

Increase community safety
Advance sustainable economic development and job opportunities
Encourage community involvement in decision-making
Support implementation of neighborhood planning efforts, especially in District 1

Current Council Related Boards, Committees and Commissions:

Finance Committee
Neighborhood Communications Committee
Planning, Community Economic Development
Spokane Regional Health Board
Public Works Committee
City Plan Commission
Charter Review Committee
Police Pension Board
Spokane Transit Authority Board
Spokane Regional Transportation Council
Spokane County Growth Management Act Steering Committee

Mark Richard: Spokane County

Mark is a second generation Spokane resident and son to retired Judge Richard J. Richard. He now has two beautiful daughters and a lovely wife of 14 years. Mark graduated from Eastern Washington University with a degree in Local Government. Mark has held jobs as a laborer, dishwasher, manager and realtor. He has volunteered his time coaching soccer and serving kids in a number of other capacities. Before his current role consumed all of his time, Mark served as a board member of Kiwanis N.E. Club, as a member of the South Side Rotary Club and an Optimist Club member.

Mark’s priorities in County Government are improving regional collaboration, making our county streets safer, strengthening and diversifying the region’s economy and caring for those who genuinely cannot care for themselves. Just a few of his initiatives to serve in these areas are:

Establishing the Spokane Regional Council of Governments where local elected officials now come together to iron out differences, establish one vision for the region and consolidate services to save taxpayer dollars. These efforts have also lead to a drastic reduction in lawsuits filed between government jurisdictions that were plaguing the Spokane community.
Initiating the dialogue and helping lead efforts to return Crime Check to Spokane County residents. In addition, and thanks to voter support, that legislation also includes funding for critical infrastructure that was failing our law enforcement and fire personnel as well as a Reverse 9-1-1 type system that will allow emergency services to call entire neighborhoods in times of emergency.
Serving as lead commissioner to tackle the crisis of an overcrowded jail and the pending closure of Geiger Correction facility with Sheriff Knezovich and a dedicated team of staff and community participants. Before proposing a new jail however, Commissioner Richard and stakeholders in law enforcement are implementing much needed reforms in the system that are saving taxpayer dollars and delivering swifter, fairer justice to the streets of Spokane County.
Partnering with AHANA (a minority business organization) and E.W.U. to help our small towns develop plans for infusing their communities with economic development. Partnering with G.S.I. (formerly the Greater Spokane Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council) to educate kids, teachers and parents about workforce opportunities available to them in the Spokane Region. Championing proposals to support the Valley Hub Project (recreation facility in Spokane Valley that serves kids and draws outside sports events, as well as the Spokane Aerospace museum.
Leading efforts to save and restore services to those suffering from mental illness, establishing a regional partnership to address Homelessness that plagues many of our mentally ill and Veterans, and serving on the Board of Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington that delivers services to at-risk seniors.

Mark also serves on the following Boards and Commissions as your representative, so feel free to contact him about any of these or other issues important to you.

Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington
Detention Services Project (Core Team) [Formerly Jail Expansion Team (JET)]
GMA Steering Committee
Spokane Regional Health Board
Spokane Regional Health District Executive Committee
International Trade Alliance (ex-officio)
Spokane County Solid Waste Liaison Board
Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC)
STA Board of Directors
Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC)
Legislative Steering Committee
WSAC Board of Directors
Spokane County Interstate Fair Board
Spokane County Golf Courses

Chuck Hafner: City of Spokane Valley

Chuck Hafner was appointed in May of 2011 to serve an interim term filling the late Bob McCaslin's seat on the City Council. A retired school administrator/consultant/businessman, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education/Business and a Master of Arts degree in Administration and Guidance from Eastern Washington University, as well as additional graduate supplemental courses. In addition to owning a small business as a licensed independent contractor, Hafner has served as an officer, board member, and active member in numerous community organizations.

New Country Homes Park & Ride

A new Park & Ride location, complete with a shelter, is now available for riders of STA's #124 North Express. The Country Homes Park & Ride is located just south of Shasta Ave on Wall Street at the Country Homes Christian Church.

Fare Vending Machine at VTC Out of Order May 4th

The ticket vending machine at the Valley Transit Center will be out of order for a telephone line upgrade on May 4th, 2011.

Al French: Spokane County

After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1969 to 1972, Al moved to Moscow, Idaho to attend the University of Idaho where he received his Bachelor of Architecture degree with a minor in Business Finance in 1977.

Prior to his election to the Spokane City Council in 2002, Al served on numerous boards and commissions throughout the region, especially donating his service and expertise to neighborhood committees in Spokane.

Al has more than 30 years experience as a successful businessman, architect, investment consultant, and developer in the Spokane region. He has both attracted and assisted new businesses in the region and will use that experience as the newest Spokane County Commissioner.

Awards:

Economic Development Service Award
Inland Empire Kiwanis “Man of the Year Award”
Spokane Police Department “Certificate of Appreciation”
Community Development Department “Certificate of Appreciation”
Northeast Community Center “Outstanding Service Award”
Spokane Transit Authority “Certificate of Appreciate” (twice)
GMA Steering Committee of Elected Officials “Certificate of Appreciation”
American Public Transportation Association’s National “Outstanding Board Member of the Year for 2008”

Boards and Commissions:

Downtown Spokane Partnership
County Growth Management Act Steering Committee (GMA)
Spokane Transit Authority
Community Groups:
Downtown Spokane Partnership
SNEDA, Secretary/Treasurer
Health Improvement Partnership
Northeast Community Center Board Member and Past Chair
Nevada-Lidgerwood Neighborhood Council, Past Chair
Community Development Board, Past Chair
Community Assembly, Past Chair
Economic Development Council, Board Member
FEMA Community Emergency Response Team, Trainer

Gary Schimmels: City of Spokane Valley

From 1998 to 2007, Gary Schimmels owned and operated a local locksmith business. Schimmels attended Eastern Washington University prior to serving two years in the Army, and was a construction industry employee/owner/ operator from 1964 to 1994. He was a member of the original City Council and in November 2009, was re-elected to a four-year term through December 31, 2013. Schimmels was selected by his Council colleagues to serve as Deputy Mayor for 2010-2011.

Bike Transit Survey

STA has created a survey to learn more about ways to enhance the transit experience for bicyclists. Please take the following survey to share your opinion about what we can do to better the connectivity between transit and bicycles.

Click on the link below to enter the survey.

Bike Transit Survey

To go to STA's Bikes on Buses page, click here.

Stop Consolidation Plan Phase 2

• What is the stop consolidation project?

In 2009 the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) began work on a comprehensive look at the current placement of bus stops and transit amenities for frequent service routes. Completed in September 2010, Phase I of the Stop Consolidation Plan evaluated what stops should be removed and what transit amenities should be included for the frequent service routes. Phase II of the Stop Consolidation Plan continues the process of reviewing the placement of existing stops and amenities.

• Why are we consolidating the number of bus stops?

The STA Board of Directors adopted the Service Design Guidelines which include a Stop Spacing and Placement Policy which states stops should generally be no closer than 800 feet, no further than 1,500 feet, and on average, a quarter mile apart.

• Stop consolidation will enable Spokane Transit Authority (STA) to:

Improve travel speeds for Fixed Route buses
Reduce travel time for passengers onboard Fixed Route buses
Allow more bus stops to be placed near crosswalks and signalized intersections
Reduce maintenance costs attributed to frequent stopping and starting of Fixed Route buses

• What routes will be affected?

The following routes have proposed stop plans for public comment. Please click the links to view maps of the routes with their associated stop changes as proposed.

In addition to the maps available on the website, customers may contact our hotline at (509) 343-1653 to request a copy of the materials regarding the Stop Consolidation Project.

• How can I give my input?

By contacting Mike Hynes - Transit Planner at (509) 325-6059 or via email at mhynes@spokanetransit.com.

• When will the changes take effect?

STA will be excepting initial comments from April 11, 2011 through April 24, 2011
Stops recommended for closure will have Rider Alerts posted on them beginning May 1, 2011. STA will take into account all comments received prior to making final recommendations beginning May 29, 2011
All changes will be effective as of Sunday, September 19, 2011

• Will you look at other routes in the future?

STA strives to continually improve service for the rider and operate in a more efficient manner. As such, additional routes will be considered for Stop Consolidation. STA will seek public comment to assist with developing the final plan.

Media Release: Central City Mobility Open House

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Molly Myers, Communications Manager - 509-325-6090 (office) or 509-435-3711 (cell)

CENTRAL CITY MOBILITY OPEN HOUSE

MARCH 29TH - 4:30 TO 7:00 P.M.

SPOKANE, WA– Spokane Transit, the City of Spokane and the University District will host the second Central City Mobility Open House on Tuesday, March 29, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the Chase Gallery (808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. – lower level of City Hall).

STA will present an overview of the Central City Transit Alternatives Analysis (CCTAA), a joint research project between STA and the City of Spokane that focuseson a high performance transit service to connect major activity centers within the central city area. This project will deliberate on several options such as streetcar, enhanced bus and electric trolley.

One of the goals for the CCTAA is to help create a vibrant central city, by encouraging development while supporting local and regional business. The project will compare the environmental impacts of the transit options and look at ways to increase regional resources and transit mobility. The finished product will be a single preferred alternative that can be submitted for local, state and federal funding and proceed into project development. Essentially, this plan will create a blueprint for transit that will help guide future development in Spokane.

The open house is a convenient opportunity for citizens to learn about this and other mobility development projects under study for the downtown area, including the City’s University District Pedestrian / Bicycle Bridge and the East Sprague Redevelopment Study. Additionally, representatives from SRTC Transportation Vision, Smart Routes and Pedestrian Plan, Spokane RoadFix, city-led Surviving Construction, Complete Streets Coalition, Spokane UCommute, and other mobility projects will be available to provide information and answer questions.

“We are very excited to share the latest developments in our research on the Central City Transit Alternatives Analysis,” said E. Susan Meyer, STA CEO. “The open house provides a perfect opportunity to educate people on this important topic and gather their input.”

A short program from 5:00 to 5:15 p.m. will feature Mayor Mary Verner and facilitators from the various projects.

For more information about the Central City Mobility Open House and featured projects, please visit the following websites; www.spokanetransit.com, www.developingspokane.org; www.connectspokane.org; www.spokaneuniversitydistrict.com.

Central City Mobility Open House

CENTRAL CITY MOBILITY OPEN HOUSE

MARCH 29TH - 4:30 TO 7:00 P.M.

A short program from 5:00 to 5:15 p.m. will feature Mayor Mary Verner and facilitators from the various projects.

Central City Transit Alternatives Analysis: Third Public Open House

Third Public Open House
March 29, 2011 in the Chase Gallery at Spokane City Hall: 4:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Over 140 people attended the second Public Open House for the project, held jointly with several other projects happening in the area, on Tuesday, October 26, 2010.

Follow the link below to the CCTAA website for more information:

Central City Transit Alternatives Analysis

Planning Initiatives Archive

Cheney Transit Service Evaluation

Spokane Transit is partnering with the city of Cheney, EWU and you on how it can improve service while making it more efficient.Read More...

Stop Consolidation Plan

In order to improve service efficiency and contain costs, a draft stop consolidation plan for six routes has been prepared for public comment.Read More...

Draft Service Implementation Plan

STA's annual Service Implementation Plan documents route performance and identifies pending and potential changes and improvements in fixed-route bus service. Read More...

Operations & Customer Service Committee Vacancy

Spokane Transit Authority (STA) is seeking to fill vacancies on the Operations & Customer Service Committee. This committee is comprised of STA Board members and qualified volunteer citizen members. The purpose of this committee is to advise and recommend action to the STA Board of Directors on planning, operations, marketing, and other policy level issues undertaken by Spokane Transit. The committee meets once a month. Members serve a two year term. To view the current roster and the duties of the committee, click here.

To view the Public Meetings page, click here.

How to Apply:

Persons interested in serving on the Operations and Customer Service Committee should contact Jan Watson, Clerk of the Authority, at (509) 325-6096 no later than February 28, 2011.

September 2011 Service Reductions Approved by STA Board

STA Board Adopts Recommended Service Reductions

The Recommended Service Reductions were adopted by the board as presented by STA staff with no changes. The general descriptions of the upcoming changes appear in the links below. To view the FINAL RECOMMENDATION on September 2011 Service Reductions, click here. Details about the routes and schedules as they will exist in September will be made available this summer.

Original Preliminary Proposal to the STA Board of Directors

The STA Board of Directors was presented with a preliminary proposal for the September 2011 service reductions at the Board meeting held on September 15, 2010. To view the webpage with all the original preliminary proposal information, click here. Information about both the draft and final recommendations can be found in the text below.

Recommended Service Reduction Presented to the STA Board of Directors: January 2011

The STA Board of Directors was presented with a recommendation for the September 2011 service reductions at the Board meeting held on January 19, 2011. To view the complete draft recommendation, click here.

Public Hearing:

A public hearing regarding the recommended service reductions was held February 16, 2011 at the STA Board Meeting.

Descriptions by Route:

Click here to view a list of descriptions of the approved route changes.

Maps:

To view a map of the recommended service reductions click here. NOTE: this is a large (2.2 MB) pdf file.

To view and open pdf files of smaller area maps (North Spokane, South Spokane, Spokane Valley, and West Plains) showing the recommended service reductions, click here.

To view the map of the recommended changes to service in Cheney, click here.

Background:

For nearly three years, Spokane Transit’s primary source of operating revenue, a locally imposed sales tax, has been in decline, reducing the agency’s ability to maintain its current level of service to the Public Transportation Benefit Area. Although transit ridership has seen strong growth over the last several years, increased revenue from fares alone cannot make up for the budget shortfall caused by the decline in sales tax revenue. Like most of its peer agencies, STA is faced with cutting service as one response toward helping the agency realize fiscal sustainability during these challenging times. For Spokane Transit, this means returning to 2004 service levels and jeopardizing much or all of the 45% ridership increase it enjoyed over the past few years.
As part of its 2010 Budget, the STA Board of Directors identified a service reduction strategy that would allow cuts to take place over several years, helping to ensure reductions are made strategically with allowance for new revenues that could help avoid the full effect of cuts. In total, the cuts required between 2010 and 2012 approximate a 16% reduction in fixed-route operations in order to maintain a sustainable service through 2015. The graph below illustrates the gap between what was once expected and where the system must go in terms of hours of fixed-route service provided.

Paratransit Services:

Paratransit is a wheelchair-accessible shared-ride transportation service for individuals whose disability prevents them from using the regular fixed route buses. This means that a person must be unable, because of a disability, to get to or from the bus stop, get on or off a lift or ramp equipped bus, or successfully travel by bus to or from their destination.
The Paratransit service area is comparable to the area served by the regular, fixed-route bus system. Paratransit is operated in the same service area and the same service hours and conforms to the Americans with Disabilities Act. The service area is a corridor with a width that extends ¾ of a mile on each side of and around each fixed route.

Archive:

To view the original summary of the preliminary proposal as presented to the Board on September 15, 2010, click here.

Recommended 2011 Service Reduction Maps By Area

Click on the images below to open a pdf file of each area map.

North Spokane:

South Spokane:

Spokane Valley:

West Plains:

September 2011 Service Changes By Route

Route	Approved Changes
1	1. Interline with Route 2 weekdays 2. Reduce frequencies during shoulders of peak period
2	1. Interline with Route 1 weekdays 2. Operate route 7 days a week 3. Retain current 15 minute peak frequency, but reduce mid-day frequency to 20 minutes 4. Modify route to travel on Wall St inbound thereby eliminating the 5th Ave and Lincoln St routing near Deaconess Hospital (new Route 48 would travel on 5th Ave in front of Deaconess with two-way service)
20	No changes are recommended to Route 20 SFCC.
21	1. Reduce frequency to 60 minutes weekday nights 2. Reduce frequency to 60 minutes Saturday nights 3. Reduce frequency to 60 minutes all day Sunday and on holidays
22	Extend Route 22 to the 5-Mile Park & Ride and terminate at that location. Additionally, modify the route to travel on Rowan Ave between Assembly St and Driscoll Blvd. This reroute would eliminate the service on Assembly St north of Rowan Ave and on Driscoll Blvd north of Rowan Ave.
23	Modify Route 23 to travel on Rowan Aveand Alberta St. This would eliminate service on Maple/Ash St north of Rowan Ave and on Francis Ave between Ash St and Alberta St. Route 23 would no longer serve the 5-mile Park & Ride. Extend weekday span of service and provide Sunday service to more fully compensate for the loss of Route 31. Weekday Plaza arrivals would switch to :15/:45 after the hour and departures would switch to :20/:50 after the hour during peak period (slight downtown routing change).
24	No changes are recommended to Route 24 Monroe.
25	Adjust headways on Saturday to provide 30 minute frequency of service mornings and 15 minute frequency during the mid day and late afternoon. Select trips would turn back at Francis Ave on Saturdays.
26	Modify Route 26 to serve the University District on Spokane Falls Blvd/Trent Ave and Hamilton St east of Gonzaga University. This would eliminate service on North River Dr and Sharp Ave north of Gonzaga University.
27	Extend Route 27 just past Monroe St to Madison St and Rosewood Ave and end the route. Modify route to travel on Dakota St between Illinois Ave and Indiana Ave.
28	Modify Route 28 to serve the University District on Spokane Falls Blvd/Trent Ave and Hamilton St east of Gonzaga University. This would eliminate service on North River Dr and Sharp Ave north of Gonzaga University.
29	Modify Route 29 to terminate at Spokane Community College.
30	Discontinue Route 30.
31	Discontinue Route 31.
32	Modify Route 32 to eliminate service on Mirabeau Parkway (service to YMCA). Change the location of the route number change (32-97) to Mirabeau Park & Ride.
33	No changes are recommended to Route 33 Wellesley.
41	Eliminate Route 41.
42	Discontinue Route 42.
43	Modify Route 43 to serve Maple St and Walnut St. This would eliminate service on 5^th Ave, Adams St, 10^th Ave, and Madison St. Add additional service between the Plaza and 14^th Ave during the peak periods. Create new Route 48 to operate 7 days a week with service on 5th Ave, Adams St, Cedar St, 10th Ave, and Madison St.
44	Modify Route 44 to eliminate circular routing around Manito Shopping Center on 29^th Ave and Grand Ave during outbound trips. Retain circular routing around Manito Shopping Center on inbound trips.
45	Modify Route 45 to serve 57^th Ave east of Regal St and eliminate service west of Regal St for regular routing. During the peak periods, retain service on 57^th Ave to Perry St and combine with the regular Route 45 to create 15 minute frequency between 57^th Ave and Regal St and the Plaza. Adjust the arrival and departure times of Route 45 to accommodate efficient interlining of service. End the route at Freya St and 55^th Ave.
46	Discontinue Route 46.
48	New Route 48 to operate 7 days a week with service on 5th Ave, Adams St, Cedar St, 10th Ave, and Madison St.
60	No changes are recommended to Route 60 Airport via Browne's Addition.
61	Eliminate service to the West Spokane Industrial Park along Lawson St, McFarlane Rd, and Garfield Rd. Serve the BX on Fairchild Air Force Base (FAFB) with select trips on weekdays only. On nights and weekends, Route 61 would continue to Brooks Rd and the Medical Lake Transfer Center and return along the same route.
62	Provide weekday service to Medical Lake. Serve the hospitals on every trip, either outbound or inbound depending on the time of day (one AM shift would be served) Provide limited late night and weekend service on Route 61.
65	Revise Route 65 to operate as commuter/peak service with six trips during both the morning and evening peak period.
66	Route 66 becomes the primary connection between Spokane and Cheney seven days a week. Headways will be reduced to 30 minutes or less during most weekday hours to improve service and handle passenger loads.
67	Eliminate Route 67.
68	Create new Route 68 to operate along First Street in Cheney and provide service seven days per week. The recommended option runs in a two-way pattern along First St, Betz Rd, and Washington St and connects key activity centers in Cheney.
72	Consolidate Route 72 with Route 74.
73	Revise the routing in Downtown Spokane to accommodate pickups and drop-offs on Riverside Ave instead of Sprague Ave. Plaza arrival and departure times will remain unchanged.
74	Modify Route 74 to exit I-90 at Evergreen Rd and continue service to Mirabeau Park & Ride. Route 74 will operate with 15 minute frequency during the peak periods only with limited mid day service (3-4 trips). Additionally, trippers will be added as necessary to handle demand. Molter Rd and Mirabeau Park & Ride will continue to be served with 30 minute service during peak periods in the reverse direction.
90	End Route 90 at the Valley Transit Center (VTC). The existing service east of the VTC will be replaced by Route 98. On Saturdays, Route 90 will operate with 30 minute frequency in the mornings and 15 minute frequency in the mid day and afternoon. Outbound trips would begin on Riverside Ave eliminating out-of-direction travel in downtown Spokane.
91	Reduce the headways of Route 91 to 30 minutes and modify the route to serve the Minnehaha area with the same one way loop operating on Jackson Ave, Marietta Ave, Myrtle St, Fredrick Ave, and Euclid Ave.
94	Offer two way service to Park Rd and 8^th Ave with Route 94. There would be no service on Broadway Ave west of Park Rd and on Havana St north of 5^th Ave, but it would serve Argonne Rd/Mullan Rd between Broadway Ave and Liberty Ave. The layover would move to Bridgeport Ave and Argonne Rd and the frequency would be reduced to 60 minutes on Saturdays. Additionally, the Plaza arrival times would change to accommodate efficient interlining of service.
95	Discontinue Route 95.
96	Modify Route 96 to serve the East Valley area and eliminate service through the Spokane Industrial Park. Additionally, this route would serve Mirabeau Park & Ride and the schedule would be adjusted to improve connectivity at the Valley Transit Center (VTC). Sunday service would be added to ensure consistency with the Basic Service span policy.
97	Modify Route 97 to stay on 32^nd Ave and eliminate service on 24^th Ave near Bowdish Middle School. Change the location of the route number change (32-97) to Mirabeau Park & Ride and adjust the schedule to improve connections at the Valley Transit Center (VTC).
98	Create new Route 98 to travel on Sprague Ave east of the Valley Transit Center (VTC) to the Green Acres area and continue on Mission Ave to Harvard Rd to end at the Liberty Lake Park & Ride. The recommended option connects the City of Liberty Lake and the VTC (with connections to downtown Spokane) with service seven days per week.
124	Reduce frequency to 30 minutes before and after each commute peak period in the mornings and evenings. The outbound trip would begin on Sprague Ave, which would eliminate out-of-direction travel in downtown Spokane.

New Year’s & First Night Spokane

STA will operate regular weekday service on New Year's Eve and will operate shuttle service for First Night venues. Shuttles will run on 10 minute intervals from 3:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Click here to view the First Night Shuttle map.

STA will operate Holiday Bus Service on New Year's Day, Saturday, January 1, 2011. Holiday Bus Service is the same as Sunday Bus Service.

NOTE: Make sure to view the Current Winter Operations page for the most up-to-date weather related service information.

Come to STA’s Google Transit Launch

Google Transit Launch

Come celebrate the launch of Spokane Transit's presence on Google Transit!

Time:
Friday, December 31 · 4:30pm - 5:00pm

Location:
STA Plaza
701 W. Riverside
Spokane, WA

Christmas, New Year’s & First Night Spokane

STA will operate Sunday/Holiday service on Christmas Day, December 25, and on December 26, 2011. Sunday/Holiday service will also be in effect on New Year's Day, January 1 and January 2, 2012. STA will operate shuttle service for First Night venues from 3:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Regular Service is NOT extended for First Night. Click the following link to visit First Night Spokane and view the shuttle map.

Holiday Bus Service is the same as Sunday Bus Service.

NOTE: Make sure to view the Current Winter Operations page for the most up-to-date weather related service information.

Public Meetings 2011

2011 Public Meetings

Below are the Spokane Transit Board of Directors and each of STA's committee meeting schedules, agendas and minutes for 2011. Links to previous year's schedules, agendas and minutes appear at the bottom of this page.

Spokane Transit Board of Directors

Board Members

Unless otherwise noted below, all meetings are now on the third Wednesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at the Spokane City Council Chambers, Spokane City Hall, 808 West Spokane Falls Boulevard. There is no Board meeting in August. Agendas are generally posted on this site the Friday before each meeting.

December 2011 Board Meeting Video: Click Here

Are you having problems viewing the videos at Vimeo? Click here.

2011 Meeting Schedule	Meeting Agenda	Approved Minutes
January 19	Agenda	Minutes
February 16	Agenda	Minutes
March 9 (Executive Committee)	NA
March 16	Agenda	Minutes
April 20	Agenda	Minutes
May 18	Agenda	Minutes
June 8 (Executive Committee)	NA
June 15	Agenda	Minutes
June 29 (Board Workshop)	Agenda	Minutes
July 15 (Board Workshop)	Agenda	Minutes
July 20	Agenda	Minutes
August/No Meeting	NA	NA
September 14 (Executive Committee)	Cancelled
September 21 (Special Meeting to discuss Board Governance before regular STA Board Meeting: 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.)		Minutes
September 21 Board Meeting	Agenda	Minutes
October 14 (Executive Committee:1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. at STA-NSB)
October 19	Agenda	Minutes
November 2 (Board Budget Workshop)	NA	Minutes
November 16	Agenda	Minutes
December 14 (Executive Committee)	Cancelled
December 15 (THURSDAY)	Agenda	Minutes

Meeting minutes are generally approved at the following month’s meeting. The Study Session meeting was eliminated following the Board meeting in March.

*NA – not available

Citizen Advisory Committee

CAC Members and Charter

All meetings are the second Wednesday of the month (except August) at 5:00 p.m. in the Southside Conference Room,1229 West Boone Avenue (unless otherwise noted).

2011 Meeting Schedule	Agenda	Approved Minutes
January 12	Cancelled	NA
February 9	Agenda	Minutes
March 9	Agenda	Minutes
April 13	Agenda	Minutes
May 11	Agenda	Minutes
June 8	Agenda	Minutes
July 13	Agenda	Minutes
August/No Meeting	NA	NA
September 14	Agenda	Minutes
October 12	Agenda	Minutes
November 9	Agenda	Minutes
December 14	Agenda	Minutes
January 11, 2012	Agenda	NA

Meeting minutes are generally approved at the following month’s meeting.
*NA – not available

Operations and Customer Service Committee

Committee Members and Duties

All meetings are Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. in the Southside Conference Room, 1229 West Boone Avenue (unless otherwise noted).

2011 Meeting Schedule	Agenda	Approved Minutes
January 5	Agenda	Minutes
February 2	Agenda	Minutes
March 2	Agenda	Minutes
April 6	Agenda	Minutes
May 4	Agenda	Minutes
June 1	Agenda	Minutes
July 6	Agenda	Minutes
August/No Meeting	NA	NA
September 7	Agenda	Minutes
October 5	Agenda	Minutes
November 2	Agenda	Minutes
December 7	Agenda	NA

Meeting minutes are generally approved at the following month’s meeting.
*NA – not available

NOTE: The January 2012 Operations and Customer Service Meeting is cancelled.

2010 STA Public Meeting archive, click here.

2009 STA Public Meeting archive, click here.

2008 STA Public Meeting archive, click here.

New Fares & 31-Day Passes For 2011

Fares will increase and new 31-Day rolling passes are available for some fare types. Click here to read all about the changes.

Current Winter Operations

CURRENT CONDITIONS

Fixed-route Bus Service:

There are no detours in place. All buses are on normal routing.

Paratransit:

Paratransit is operating under General Snow Conditions. To view the definitions of the Paratransit Winter Operating Guidelines, click here.

Updates:

To receive updates as detours are announced, sign up to follow us on our Facebook page, our Twitter feed or subscribe to SMS text messaging for your particular route.

Winter Contingency Plan and Detours: To view the Winter Contingency Plan, Snow Detours and the city plowing information, visit the Snow Detours page by clicking here.

STA will keep riders updated on detours and changes as quickly as possible but customers are also advised to listen to traffic and news reports that may affect their service. General traffic conditions, blocking accidents, or unannounced street closures may have immediate impacts on specific segments of bus routes.

Proposed September 2011 Service Changes By Route

Route	Proposed Changes	Explanation
1 Plaza/Arena Shuttle	Interline with Route 2	Reduces peak-hour bus requirement Improves schedule consistency with 15 minute frequency weekdays ( weekday peak frequency remains unchanged)
2 Southside Medical Shuttle	Interline with Route 1 Operate route 7 days a week	Improves connectivity with arena parking to the medical district Mitigates the negative impacts of the proposed elimination of Route 46 Adds Saturday and Sunday service to the medical district
20 Spokane Falls Community College	No change	N/A
21 West Broadway	No change	N/A
22 Northwest Boulevard	Extend route to 5-Mile Park & Ride (would not continue as Route 30) Modify route to travel on Rowan Ave (between Assembly St and Driscoll Blvd) thereby eliminating service on Assembly St north of Rowan Ave and on Driscoll Blvd north of Rowan Ave	Mitigate the negative impacts of the proposed elimination of Route 30 Mitigate passenger wait times by moving the layover to the end of the line and not mid-route Reduce travel time
23 Maple/Ash	Modify route to travel on Rowan Ave and Alberta St thereby eliminating service on Maple St/Ash St north of Rowan Ave and on Francis Ave between Ash St and Alberta St Eliminate service to 5-Mile Park & Ride	Mitigate the negative impacts of the proposed elimination of Route 31 Improve route productivity Improve operational capacity issues at 5-Mile Park & Ride
24 Monroe	No change	N/A
25 Division	No change	N/A
26 Addison	Modify route to serve the U District on Spokane Falls Blvd/Trent Ave and Hamilton St east of Gonzaga University thereby eliminating service on North River Drive and Sharp Ave north of Gonzaga University Modify route to travel on Nevada St to Wellesley Ave thereby eliminating service on Bridgeport Ave and Addison St south of Wellesley Ave	Improve connectivity and frequency to the U District Improve frequency on Hamilton St/Nevada St up to Wellesley Ave (15 min service weekdays with Routes 26/28)
27 Crestline	Modify route to travel on Indiana Ave (between Astor St and Hamilton St) and Hamilton St (between Indiana Ave and Illinois Ave) thereby eliminating service on Astor St and Montgomery Ave Extend route to Monroe St and Rosewood Ave (would not continue as Route 30)	Mitigate the negative impacts of the proposed elimination of Route 30 Reduce travel time
28 Nevada	Modify route to serve the U District on Spokane Falls Blvd/Trent Ave and Hamilton St east of Gonzaga University thereby eliminating service on North River Ave and Sharp Ave north of Gonzaga University	Improve connectivity and frequency to the U District Improve frequency on Hamilton St/Nevada St up to Wellesley Ave (15 min service weekdays with Routes 26/28)
29 Spokane Community College	Modify route to terminate at Spokane Community College.	Route 91 would serve the Minnehaha area
30 Francis	Discontinue route	Provides service to areas that generally are served or will be served by more cost effective service options (see Routes 22, 27)
31 Garland	Discontinue route	Provides service to areas that generally are served or will be served by more cost effective service options (see Route 23)
32 Trent / Indiana	Modify route to serve Buckeye between Vista and Argonne Roads	Mitigate the loss of Route 95 Millwood
33 Wellesley	No change	N/A
41 Latah	Discontinue route	Fails all three route performance standards
42 South Maple	Discontinue route	Consolidate with Route 43 to eliminate redundancy of coverage
43 Lincoln / 37^th Ave	Modify route to serve Maple St and Walnut St thereby eliminating service on 5^th Ave, Adams St, 10^th Ave, and Madison St	Modify routing through Cannon neighborhood to serve Maple / Walnut to mitigate proposed elimination of Route 42
44 29^th Ave	Modify route to stay on 29^th Ave thereby eliminating the loop around Manito Shopping Center on 29^th Ave/Grand Ave	Improve schedule reliability
45 Southeast Boulevard	Modify route to serve 57^th Ave east of Regal St thereby eliminating service on 57^th Ave west of Regal St	Low productivity along current routing west of Regal St
46 Altamont	Discontinue route	Fails two of three route performance standards Partially redundant service coverage with Routes 2 and 45
60 Airport / Browne’s Addition	No change	N/A
61 Hwy 2 / Browne’s Addition	Eliminate service to the West Spokane Industrial Park along Lawson St, McFarlane Rd, and Garfield Rd Modify route to end at the Fairchild Air Force Base (FAFB) gate thereby eliminating service on base (all outbound trips would end at the FAFB gate)	Low productivity on route segments proposed for eliminations Current service on FAFB challenged by unreliability resulting from insufficient operating recovery and elevated security requirements
62 Medical Lake Hospitals	Discontinue route	Low ridership response to improvements made in 2005
65 Cheney / EWU	Revise route to operate as commuter/peak service with six trips during each peak period (AM / PM)	Eliminate redundant service and underutilized trips
66 EWU	Route becomes the primary connection between Spokane and Cheney seven days a week, with headways reduced to 30 minutes or less during most weekday hours	Eliminate redundant service and underutilized trips
67 Medical Lake / Geiger	Discontinue route	Low ridership
68 First Street (Cheney)	New route operating along First Street in Cheney seven days per week with several routing options as depicted on the maps	Eliminate redundant service and underutilized trips and improve local circulation within Cheney
72 Liberty Lake Express	Consolidate with Route 74	Consolidate with Route 74 to maximize resources and eliminate low ridership service segments
73 VTC Express	No change	N/A
74 Valley Limited	Modify route to exit I-90 at Evergreen Rd (instead of Sullivan Rd) to continue service to Mirabeau Park & Ride Reduce headways to 20 minutes Eliminate mid day service	Consolidate with Route 72 Low mid day productivity
90 Sprague	End route at the Valley Transit Center (VTC) New route 98 would serve Sprague Ave east of the VTC and the Greenacres area with 30 minute frequency on weekdays (see Route 98 below)	Improve schedule reliability
91 Mission	Reduce headways to 30 minutes Modify route to serve the Minnehaha area with current one way loop along Jackson Ave, Marietta Ave, Myrtle St, Fredrick Ave, and Euclid Ave	Improve connectivity and frequency to SCC (15 min service weekdays with Routes 29/91) and mitigate loss of service on nearby Sharp Ave Route 29 would no longer serve the Minnehaha area
94 East Fifth	No change	N/A
95 Millwood	Discontinue route	Provides service to areas that generally are served or will be served by more cost effective service options (see Route 32)
96 Pines	Modify route to serve the East Valley area thereby eliminating service through the Spokane Industrial Park	Low ridership within Spokane Industrial Park Improve schedule reliability
97 South Valley	Modify route to stay on 32^nd Ave thereby eliminating service on 24^th Ave near Bowdish Middle School	Reduce travel time
98 Greenacres	New route to travel on Sprague Ave east of the VTC to the Greenacres area with 30 minute frequency on weekdays, hourly on nights and weekends	Route 90 is proposed to end at the VTC
124 North Express	Reduce frequency to 30 minutes before and after each commute peak period (AM/PM)	Low ridership on edges of peak period

Cheney Options Maps for 2011 Service Changes

Click on the images below (scroll down) to open a pdf file of each map.

Cheney Option 1:

Cheney Option 2:

Cheney Option 3:

2011 Service Reduction Maps By Area

Click on the images below to open a pdf file of each area map.

North Spokane:

South Spokane:

Spokane Valley:

West Plains:

Proposed September 2011 Service Reductions

Preliminary Proposal to the STA Board of Directors

The STA Board of Directors was presented with a preliminary proposal for the September 2011 service reductions at the Board meeting held on September 15, 2010. To view the preliminary proposal, click here. To view a pdf version of the presentation made to the Board by Karl Otterstrom, STA Director of Planning, click here.

Public Input Summaries:

To view the first Public Input Summary Report, click here.

To view the second Public Input Summary Report, click here.

Public Presentations Schedule:

To view a schedule of upcoming public presentations regarding the September 2011 service reductions, click here.

Descriptions by Route:

Click here to view a list of descriptions of the proposed route changes.

Maps:

To view a map of the proposed service reductions click here. NOTE: this is a large (2MB) pdf file.

To view and open pdf files of smaller area maps (North Spokane, South Spokane, Spokane Valley, and West Plains) showing the proposed service reductions, click here.

To view the maps of the three options for proposed changes to service in Cheney, click here.

Hotline:

A hotline is set up for people to call and leave comments/suggestions or request an information packet be sent to them by mail. The hot line number is (509) 343-1653.

Survey:

The public survey regarding the Proposed 2011 Service Reductions was officially closed on December 31, 2010. STA received over 400 surveys.

Background:

Paratransit Services:

Archive:

To view the original summary of the proposal as presented to the Board on September 15, 2010, click here.

Media Notice: Proposed 2011 Service Reductions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Molly Myers
Communications Manager
509-325-6090 office
509-435-3711 cell

STA PRESENTS PRELIMINARY PROPOSAL FOR 2011 SERVICE REDUCTIONS

The preliminary proposal to reduce seven percent of STA’s current bus service in September, 2011, was presented to the Board of Directors at last night’s board meeting.

“We are in our third straight year of significant reductions in sales tax revenue, which provides more than two thirds of our revenue,” said Susan Meyer, STA CEO. “We’re taking a major hit, like so many others. But we believe in the service we provide and are working hard to do our best with less.”

STA has been able to maintain service at the same level until now because of careful planning and prudent financial policies. The organization is debt-free. Unfortunately, the recession continues. Even if the economy started to recover next year, STA would not return to 2007 sales tax revenue levels until early 2016 – an eight year period of reduced revenue that will never be re-captured.

“We must reduce expenses in order to live within our means,” Meyer said. “We’re going to be smart about making staffing and service reductions. We’re going to involve our employees, our riders, the Board and the community at large in our decision-making – because we’re all in this together.”

An extensive public process is being launched by STA to provide ample opportunity for people to share their thoughts and ideas about the proposed service reductions. The Board is not expected to make a final decision until March 2011. Service cuts wouldn’t go into effect until September 2011.

Beginning September 23, the Preliminary Proposal for 2011 Service Reductions, as well as a public meeting schedule and the process timeline, will be available online at www.spokanetransit.com. Detailed information about the proposal will be displayed in the STA Education Center, located at The Plaza on the second floor rotunda, beginning October 1.

Opportunities to provide ideas and comments are available on the STA web site and at The STA Plaza.

For more information about the Preliminary Proposal, click here.

Mission, Priorities & Performance Measures

STA Mission Statement:

We are dedicated to providing safe, accessible, convenient, and efficient public transportation services to the Spokane region’s neighborhoods, and business and activity centers;

We are leaders in transportation and a valued partner in the community’s social fabric, economic infrastructure, and quality of life;

We aspire to be a source of pride for the region.

STA Operational Priorities:

1. Safety

Emphasize safety of our customers and employees in all aspects of our operations.

2. Earn and Retain the Community’s Trust

Engender trust and accountability and satisfy and exceed the expectations of citizens, customers, and employees; increase ridership; operate an efficient, cost-effective operation; maintain tight control of operational, administrative, and capital expenditures of public resources; provide service that is responsive and tailored to the area’s needs.

3. Provide Outstanding Customer Service

Provide consistently high-quality service to customers at every interaction with Spokane Transit; be rated by customers, the community, and employees as providing excellent customer service as measured annually in surveys.

4. Employee and Organizational Development

Have a well-trained and highly productive workforce; promote healthy dialogue on important issues; reduce employee injuries.

Performance Measures:

First Quarter 2012 Performance Measures

2012 Draft Performance Measures

2011 Performance Measures: Goals and Objectives

First Quarter 2011 Performance Measures

Second Quarter 2011 Performance Measures

Third Quarter 2011 Performance Measures

Year End 2011 Performance Measures

2010 Performance Measures: Archived Documents

2012 Annual Strategic Plan:

Spokane Transit's 2012 Annual Strategic Plan was approved by the Board of Directors at their December Board Meeting. To view the plan, click here.

September 2010 Service Reductions

Effective September 19, 2010: Printed schedules will be available in September.

The STA Board of Directors approved a reduction of service on selected routes at the June 16, 2010 Board meeting. To view the Final Recommendation click here.

Information about the preliminary proposal is available here.

To view a summary of the Draft Recommendations click here.

To view a description of the actual service changes to be implemented on September 19, 2010, click here.

Public Notices

POSTPONED HEARING ON TDP: New Hearing to be Held at June STA Board Meeting

A public hearing on the 2012 through 2017 Transit Development Plan (TDP) to receive public testimony has been postponed to Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) Boardroom, 1229 W. Boone Ave, Spokane, Washington, 99201. Written comments should be sent to the STA Planning Department, 1230 West Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99201.

Spokane Transit Authority
2012-2017 Transit Development Plan

The proposed 2012-2017 TDP complies with the state requirements and contains the following key elements:

• Planned capital investments
• Major replacement activities
• Service improvements

Copies of this document will be available for public inspection beginning Monday, May 3, 2012 at: Spokane Transit Authority, Administrative Office, North Side, Second Floor, 1230 West Boone Avenue, Spokane, Washington, 99201, or visit www.spokanetransit.com. The TDP document is in draft form until adopted by the Spokane Transit Authority Board.

Upon request, alternative formats of this document will be produced for people with disabilities. The facility is accessible for people who use wheelchairs. For these and other accommodations, please call 325-6094 or TTY (509) 232-6555 or email smillbank@spokanetransit.com at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance.

Notice of Application and SEPA Review

Notice is hereby given that Spokane Transit Authority (STA) applied for a Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map Change on October 27, 2011. This application was complete on March 20, 2012. Any person may submit written comments on the proposed actions or call for additionalinformation at:

Planning Services Department
Attn: Marla S. French, City Planner
808 West Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, WA 99201-3333

Phone (509) 625-6638

mfrench@spokanecity.org

Agent: STA, Joel Soden, Phone (509) 325-6055

All documents relating to these amendments are available for viewing at: www.spokaneplanning.org/comp_plan_amendments.html

Location: 1230 and 1229 West Boone Avenue, including an abandoned railroad R-O-W to the immediate east of the second property on parcel #35182.0034.

Description of Proposal: The applicant is proposing a Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map amendment to change the Land Use Designation of properties, approximately 3.55 acres, located at the above locations, from Residential 10-20 and General Commercial to Institutional.

SEPA: These proposals will be reviewed under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) under Spokane Municipal Code Section 17E.050. Comments will be accepted on environmental issues and any environmental documents related to the proposed action.

Comment Deadline: This notice initiates a 60-day public comment period. Written comments may be submitted on this application and any environmental issues related to it by May 30, 2012. Written comments should be sent to the Planning Services Department address listed above.

Only the applicant, persons submitting written comments and persons testifying at a hearing may appeal the decision of the Plan Commission and City Council.

Upon request, alternative formats of this document will be produced for people with disabilities. Please call 325-6094 or TTY(509) 232-6555 or email smillbank@spokanetransit.com

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Public Notice

A public hearing on an amendment to Spokane Transit’s 2012 through 2017 Capital Improvement Plan – Fleet Replacement Schedule will be held to receive public testimony at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15,2012 in the Council Chambers, City of Spokane, 808 West Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, Washington, 99201. A public hearing on the draft document was held on September 21, 2011, and approved by Spokane Transit’s Board of Directors at the October 19, 2011 meeting.

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Spokane Transit Authority
Amendment to the 2012-2017 Capital Improvement Plan – Fleet Replacement Schedule

The 2012-2017 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) addresses both short and long-range capital needs including facilities, fleet and equipment, technologies, and system improvement. The CIP includes both funded and unfunded projects and is developed in concert with the Transit Development Plan and the Comprehensive Plan.

The current CIP was based on STA’s plan to reduce service by approximately 17% (3% in 2010, 7% in 2011, and 7% in 2013). This plan reduced the required number of buses in the fleet from 156 to 135. As a result, this plan required the replacement of only six (6) 40-foot coaches between now and 2018.

Two significant developments change our projected fixed-route vehicle demands contained in the CIP:

The 7% service reduction in 2013 is no longer anticipated;
Ridership Demand has increased, rather than decreased, after reducing service by 10%

The amendment, if adopted, will address the increased vehicle requirement by revising the program of acquisition of Fixed Route coaches from 2012 to 2014 to replace eleven 40-foot coaches that are over 15 years old and beyond their useful life.

Further information on the proposed amendment will be available for review and comment beginning Friday, February 10, 2012, at: Spokane Transit Authority, Administrative Office, North Side, Second Floor, 1230 West Boone Avenue, Spokane, Washington, 99201, or visit our website @ www.spokanetransit.com.

Written comments on the proposed amendment to the 2012 – 2017 Capital Improvement Plan should be sent no later than 1:00p.m. Wednesday, February 15, 2012 to: Molly Myers, Communications Manager, Spokane Transit Authority, 1230 W Boone Ave., Spokane, WA 99201, or mmyers@spokanetransit.com.

Upon request, alternative formats of this document will be produced for people with disabilities. The facility is accessible for people who use wheelchairs. For these and other accommodations, please call 325-6094 or TTY(509) 232-6555or email smillbank@spokanetransit.comat least forty-eight (48) hours in advance.

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Notice of Public Hearing: Spokane Transit Authority

A public hearing on amendments to Connect Spokane: A Comprehensive Plan for Public Transportation will be held to receive public testimony at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 15, 2011, in the Council Chambers, City of Spokane, 808 West Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, Washington, 99201.

Amendments to Spokane Transit’s Connect Spokane: A Comprehensive Plan for Public Transportation:

Proposed Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan

Connect Spokane: A Comprehensive Plan for Public Transportation sets forth a vision and policy framework to guide decisions made by STA’s Board of Directors, its staff, and partnering agencies that will further Spokane Transit’s mission for at least the next 20 years. Connect Spokane shall be fully updated no less than every three years. However, periodically Connect Spokane will require modifications to ensure that the document remains current and relevant between major updates. According to Connect Spokane Policy MI-3.2 Comprehensive Plan Amendments, “minor amendments to the Comprehensive Plan may take place at any time so long as the change does not significantly change the scope or direction of the plan.” Additionally, Policy CI 1.6 Comprehensive Plan states, “STA will undertake public outreach efforts for subsequent updates to the Comprehensive Plan and allow an opportunity for public testimony prior to any substantive amendments.” The changes associated with this amendment process include the addition of text in the Sustainability Element (previously referred to as Energy and Environment Element), modifications to the Transit Development Plan schedule in the “Monitoring and Improvement” chapter, and other minor changes. The proposed insertion of the Sustainability Element is the culmination of a multi-year public input process involving the Citizens’ Advisory Committee. Changes to the Monitoring and Improvement Element are required to reflect changes to state law related to Transit Development Plans.

Copies of this document will be available for review and comment beginning December 1, 2011 at: Spokane Transit Authority, Administrative Office, North Side, Second Floor, 1230 West Boone Avenue, Spokane, Washington, 99201, or you can view the document at the following link: Proposed Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan. The amendments to Connect Spokane: A Comprehensive Plan for Public Transportation are in draft form and will continue to be revised until adopted by the Spokane Transit Authority Board.

Written comments about the amendments to Connect Spokane: A Comprehensive Plan for Public Transportation should be sent to: Molly Myers, Communications Manager, Spokane Transit Authority, 1230 W Boone Ave., Spokane, WA 99201.

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JOB ACCESS & REVERSE COMMUTE AND NEW FREEDOM PROGRAM
2011 CALL FOR PROJECTS

Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) is issuing a call for projects for Section 5316 Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and 5317 New Freedom program funding.

The Safe, Affordable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) established funding for these programs. Spokane Transit Authority is the designated recipient for these funds to be used in developing local transportation programs in the Spokane Urbanized Area.

The 2011 Call for Projects is to award approximately $469,000 in JARC and $252,000 in New Freedom funds. See website: www.srtc.org for information and applications. For more information, contact SRTC at (509) 343-6370 or contact.srtc@srtc.org. Applications must be received on/before 2/15/11.

SRTC assures nondiscrimination in accordance with the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (P.O. 100.259) and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

SRTC is accepting applications for the 2011 Call for Projects. Spokane Transit Authority (STA) is the designated recipient for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5316 Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and Section 5317 New Freedom funding for the Spokane Urbanized Area (UZA). STA has requested that SRTC assist in developing and administering a competitive grants process before funds are awarded. The SRTC Board approved this request at its March 12, 2009 meeting.

Funds from the JARC and New Freedom programs can only be awarded to projects or programs that are included in a locally developed, coordinated public transit human services transportation plan after a competitive process. SRTC and STA cooperatively developed the Spokane County Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP) which was recently amended at the January 13, 2011 SRTC Board meeting. The 2011 HSTP can be found here:

Criteria for evaluation of Section 5316 and 5317 projects includes:

The proposed project meets one or more strategies of the HSTP
The applicant can provide the required match (20% for capital, 50% for operating)
The proposed project meets the funding and reporting requirements of JARC or New Freedom
Anticipated number of persons to be served by the project

The following apportionments have been made by FTA for fiscal years (FY) 2009 thru 2010 for the Spokane UZA:

	New Freedom	JARC
FY2009	$127,185	$239,526
FY2010	$124,824	$229,015

Funding is available for obligation up to two years following the end of the fiscal year for which it was apportioned.

For more information on the JARC grant program:http://www.fta.dot.gov/funding/grants/grants_financing_3550.html

For more information on the New Freedom grant program:http://www.fta.dot.gov/funding/grants/grants_financing_3549.html

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Title VI Requirements
Notice is hereby given that the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) intends to carry out Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Description

Title VI, as carried out, will ensure that no person shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin or disability, be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any STA program or activity receiving federal financial assistance from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

Summary of Requirements

Application of Title VI Requirements of Federal Financial Assistance of the Federal Transit Administration.

Examples: Nondiscrimination on FTA Projects.

The following examples, without being exhaustive, illustrate the application of the nondiscrimination provisions of this part to projects receiving federal financial assistance under the programs of certain Department of Transportation (DOT) operating administrations.

1. Any person who is, or seeks to be a patron of any vehicle which is operated as part of, or in conjunction with, a project shall be given the same access, seating, and other treatment with regard to the use of the vehicle as other persons without regard to their race, color, national origin or disability.

2. No person who is, or seeks to be an employee of the project sponsor or lessees, concessionaires, contractors, licensees, or any other organization furnishing public transportation service as part of, or in conjunction with, the project shall be treated less favorably than any other employee or applicant with regard to hiring, dismissal, advancement, wages, or any other conditions and benefits of employment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, or disability.

3. No person or group of persons shall be discriminated against with regard to the routing, scheduling, or quality of transportation service furnished as part of the project on the basis of race, color, national origin, or disability. Frequency of service, age and quality of vehicles assigned to routes, quality of stations serving different routes, and location of routes may not be determined on the basis of race, color, national origin, or disability.

4. The location of projects requiring land acquisition and the displacement of persons from their residences and businesses may not be determined of the basis of race, color, national origin, or disability.

Spokane Transit Authority's 2008-2010 Title VI Update

Click on the links below to view the official STA 2008-2010 Title VI Program documents.

Section 1:

Guide to Location of Required Reporting Information

Certifications and Assurances

Section 2:

Complaint Procedures and Policy

Section 3:

Recording of Investigations, Complaints and Lawsuits

Section 4:

Access to Services by Persons with Limited English Proficiency

Section 5:

Public Notice

Section 6:

Inclusive Public Participation

Section 7:

Collection of Demographic Data

Section 8:

Systemwide Service Standards

Section 9:

Systemwide Service Policies

Section 10:

Evaluation of Service and Fare Changes

Section 11:

Monitoring Transit Service

Procedures for Filing a Complaint

A complaint must be filed within 180 days after the date of the alleged discrimination and it is recommended that complaints be initially filed with The Community Ombudsman, Spokane Transit Authority, 1230 West Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99201.

In cases where the complainant is dissatisfied with the resolution by STA, the same complaint may be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration.

Complainants may submit written complaints to the FTA Director, Office of Civil Rights, the FTA Region Ten Civil Rights Officer, and/or the Departmental Director of Civil Rights at the following addresses:

Director, Office of Civil Rights
Federal Transit Administration
400 Seventh St. SW, Rm. 7412
Washington, DC 20590

Federal Transit Administration
915 Second Ave., Ste. 3142
Seattle, WA 98174

Departmental Director of Civil Rights
Office of the Secretary
Department of Transportation
400 Seventh St. SW, Rm. 10215
Washington, DC 20590

In cases where the complainant is unable or incapable of providing a written statement, but wishes DOT to investigate alleged discrimination, a verbal complaint of discrimination may be made to the FTA Director, Office of Civil Rights, or the FTA Region Ten Civil Rights Officer. The complainant will be interviewed by an FTA Civil Rights official authorized to receive complaints. If necessary, the FTA Civil Rights official will assist the person in converting verbal complaints to a written statement. All complaints must, however, be signed by the complainant or his/her representative.

The Federal Transit Administration will answer all complaints within 10 working days.

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EWU: Eagle Pass Notice

Start: June 13, 2011

Beginning Monday, June 13, the EWU Eagle Pass will no longer be accepted in Spokane Transit fareboxes.

The EWU Eagle pass program is valid through Sunday, June 12, 2011. After Sunday, June 12, 2011, EWU Student, Faculty and Staff identification cards are not valid for a ride. Passengers will be required to pay a fare. The Eagle Pass will be valid again when fall quarter begins

Cheney Transit Service Evaluation

Spokane Transit is partnering with the city of Cheney, EWU and you on how it can improve service while making it more efficient. STA is considering changes to Cheney service as part of changes it is planning for September 2011. A community survey followed by work sessions over the summer will precede a preliminary list of options to be presented to the STA board in the fall 2010.

Click here to fill out a survey on Cheney bus service. Go to information pages for Route 65 and Route 66 to see more information on how we serve Cheney and EWU today.

Transit Development Plan

As a public transportation benefit area authority, Spokane Transit is required to prepare a six-year transit development plan and annual report. This document provides updated information to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) on the development of the various transit activities undertaken by STA.

Current TDP

The Transit Development Plan (click here to view the current DRAFT TDP) provides background information on Spokane Transit, accomplishments during 2011, and planned projects and programs from 2012 to 2017. The DRAFT version above is a draft document and is subject to revision prior to adoption.

To view the 2011 Transit Development Plan, click here.

To view the 2010 Transit Development Plan, click here.

To view the 2009 Transit Development Plan, click here.

Public Transportation Benefit Area

Much like a fire or school district, the Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA) is a special taxing district established by Washington State for the purpose of providing public transportation. Our PTBA includes the cities of Airway Heights, Cheney, Medical Lake, Millwood, Liberty Lake, Spokane, and Spokane Valley, as well as portions of the unincorporated county surrounding those muncipalities. Originally established in 1980, the PTBA was redrawn in 2006 to more closely reflect the urban nature of public transportation. The redrawn boundary (248 square miles) was based closely (but not entirely) on the Spokane County Urban Growth Area (UGA), urban growth reserve boundaries, and on current precinct and school district boundaries. View a Map of the PTBA.

Spokane Transit is the provider of public transportation services within the PTBA and is considered a municipal government much like any city, county, fire district or school district. It is governed by a Board of Directors composed of nine elected officials from the jurisdictions within the PTBA.

Funding for Spokane Transit's services is largely provided by a local sales tax levied within the PTBA only. (By state law, the only legal means of public funding for transit agencies in Washington is through local sales and use tax of no more than 0.9%. Spokane Transit currently levies 0.6%. Voter approval is required before a tax can be levied.)

Rules Of Conduct

The official complete version of the STA rules of conduct can be downloaded in pdf format by clicking here.

If you would like a copy sent to you, contact Jan Watson, Clerk of the Authority, at jwatson@spokanetransit.com or by calling her at (509) 325-6096.

RULES OF CONDUCT FOR TRANSIT VEHICLES, FACILITIES AND PROPERTIES

ARTICLE I.--INTRODUCTION

Spokane Transit Authority (STA”) transit vehicles, facilities and properties are intended to provide public transportation services for the benefit of STA the general public and STA employees. To maintain public transportation services that are orderly, safe, secure, comfortable and convenient, the following Rules of Conduct for STA Transit Vehicles, Facilities and Properties (the “Rules of Conduct”) have been adopted by the STA Board of Directors. The Rules of Conduct are intended to regulate conduct occurring on STA transit vehicles, within or upon STA facilities and properties, and in connection with STA’s provision of public transportation services.

The Rules of Conduct consist of five separate articles, which include the following: Article I -- Introduction; Article II -- Definitions; Article III -Regulation of Conduct; Article IV -- Public Communication Activities: STA Transit Vehicles, Facilities and Properties; and Article V -- Public Communication Activities: The Plaza. Unless otherwise provided herein, reference to the phrase “Rules of Conduct” shall collectively include Articles I through V.

If any one or more of the provision(s) in the Rules of Conduct shall be declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be contrary to law, then such provision(s) shall be null and void and shall be deemed separable from the remaining provisions in the Rules of Conduct and shall in no way affect the validity of the other provisions of the Rules of Conduct.

ARTICLE II.--DEFINITIONS

As used in these Rules of Conduct, the words herein shall have the meanings provided in this Article II. Words of the masculine gender shall be deemed and construed to include correlative words of the feminine and neuter genders. Words imparting the singular number shall include the plural numbers and vice-versa, unless the context shall otherwise dictate.

A. “ADA” shall mean the Americans With Disabilities Act.

B. “Bus shelters” shall mean those structures located in transit vehicle loading zones that provide cover for the general public to board and alight transit vehicles.

C. “Commercial activity or activities” shall mean any enterprise or venture by groups or individuals for the purpose of promoting or selling products or services to STA employees or the general public, whether for profit or not.

D. “General public” shall mean any person or group of persons, including STA employees not acting in an official capacity at the time.

E. “Lower Level” shall mean the underground level of The Plaza where authorized parking and storage and maintenance areas are available. The Lower Level is not open for access/egress by the general public.

F. “Park-and-ride lots,” shall mean locations officially designated by STA at which persons may park their individual vehicles or bicycles and transfer to an STA transit vehicle or car/vanpool vehicles. The term shall include all physical improvements and landscaping connected with a Park-and-ride lot.

G. “Permit” shall mean a permit that gives a Permittee authority to conduct public communication activities in a manner consistent with applicable endorsements, rules and procedures in Articles IV and V herein.

H. “Permittee” shall mean the holder/signatory of a Permit issued in accordance with the rules and procedures in Articles VI and V herein.

I. “Person” shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, organization, association or entity of any kind.

J. “Public communication activity or activities” shall mean the posting or distributing of flyers, pamphlets, brochures, books or other written material, collecting petition signatures, political campaigning, demonstrating, displaying signs, picketing, unscheduled playing of musical instruments or other performances, public speaking, conducting surveys, soliciting or receiving of funds or contributions of any kind for any purpose, or otherwise communicating or attempting to communicate to the general public.

K. “Public transportation services” shall include the definition of public transportation services in RCW 36.57A.010(8), together with vanpools and fixed route and paratransit services, whether operated by STA or any governmental agency, private person, firm or corporation contracting with STA pursuant to chapter 36.57A. RCW.

L. “Rules of Conduct” shall mean the rules of conduct adopted by the Board of STA on May 24, 1995, and amended on November 27,1996, December 17,1997, July 24, 2002, and February 25,2004, April 19, 2007, October 15 2009, and March 17, 2010 which regulate conduct occurring on STA transit vehicles, within or upon STA facilities and properties, and in connection with STA’s provision of public transportation services. Unless otherwise provided herein, such definition shall include, collectively, Articles I through V.

M. “Skywalk Level” shall mean the second floor of The Plaza, including any and all skywalk bridges connecting The Plaza to adjoining buildings.

N. “STA” shall mean Spokane Transit Authority, a Washington municipal corporation and Public Transportation Benefit Area (“PTBA”) organized and operating under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Washington.

O. “STA employee” shall mean any part-time or full-time, temporary or regular, exempt or non-exempt, represented or non-represented person, including an intern or contracted party, who is compensated by STA for services by wages, salary, or other remuneration.

P. “STA facilities and properties” shall mean all facilities, structures, schedule and news racks, kiosks, fare vending machines, bulletin and information boards, bus stop signs, lands, interest in lands, air rights over lands, and rights of way of all kinds that are owned, leased, held, or used by STA for the purpose of providing public transportation services, including, but not limited to, park and ride lots, transit centers, bus shelters, public streets and sidewalks that are used by the general public to board and alight transit vehicles.

Q. “Street Level” shall mean the interior first floor of The Plaza and adjacent exterior zones where the general public boards and deboards transit vehicles. The interior Street Level is open for general public access/egress only when The Plaza services are operating or for authorized post-service period events.

R. “Table Endorsement” shall mean a written endorsement that grants to a Permittee permission to use tables and chairs as part of their authorized activity, consistent with applicable rules and procedures in Article V herein.

S. “The Plaza” shall mean the downtown transit center located at 701 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane, WA 99201, consisting of the Lower Level, Street Level and Skywalk Level, as such levels are defined herein.

T. “Transit Centers” shall mean locations where bus routes have a common terminus and facilities are provided to facilitate general public boarding and alighting of transit vehicles, including all physical improvements and landscaping, except that such definition shall not include The Plaza.

U. “Transit-related activities” shall mean activities associated with the provision or support of STA public transportation services, the use of those services by the general public, or STA sales, promotion and maintenance activities in support of STA public transportation services.

V. “Transit Vehicle” shall mean a municipal transit vehicle defined in RCW 46.04.355.

ARTICLE III.--REGULATION OF CONDUCT

A. PROHIBITED CONDUCT

The following conduct is prohibited on STA Transit Vehicles, within or upon STA facilities and properties, and in connection with STA’s provision of public transportation services:

Engaging in any conduct prohibited by RCW 9.91.025 or Spokane Municipal Code (SMC) 10.10.100;
Use of chewing tobacco except at a designated place; use of any nicotine or smoking device, which causes any smoke, mist, vapor or the like to be emitted through its use, within twenty-five (25) feet of any STA transit vehicle, shelter, or other public transportation facility, or within twenty-five (25) feet of any entrance, window, or air intake opening of STA buildings; smoking or carrying a lighted or smoldering pipe, cigar, or cigarette within twenty-five (25) feet of any STA transit vehicle, shelter or other public transportation facility, or within twenty-five (25) feet of any entrance, window, or air intake opening of STA buildings (RCW 9.91.025);
Discarding litter other than in designated receptacles (RCW 9.91.025/SMC 10.10.100);
Dumping or discarding, or both, any materials on transit property, including but not limited to hazardous substances and automotive fluids(RCW 9.91.025);
Playing any radio, recorder, or other sound-producing equipment, except that nothing herein shall prohibit the use of such equipment when connected to earphones or an ear receiver that limits the sound to individual listeners or the use of communication devices by STA employees, STA contractors or public safety officers in the line of duty, or the use of private communication devices used to summon, notify, or communicate with other individuals (e.g., “pagers beepers” or cellular telephones) (RCW 9.91.025);
Spitting, expectorating, urinating, or defecating; except in the appropriate plumbing fixtures in restroom facilities (RCW 9.91.025/SMC 10.10.100);
Carrying any flammable liquid, explosive, acid, or other article or material likely to cause harm to others except that nothing herein shall prevent a person from carrying a cigarette, cigar, or pipe lighter or carrying a firearm or ammunition in a way that is not otherwise prohibited by law (RCW 9.91.025/SMC 10.10.100);
Obstructing or impeding the flow of STA transit vehicles or passenger movement, hindering or preventing access to STA transit vehicles or property, including causing unreasonable delays in boarding or alighting, blocking or partially blocking an aisle or stairway with a package or object, reclining in more than one seat, or in any way interfering with or seriously disrupting the provision or use of transit services (RCW 9.91.025/SMC 10.10.100/ADA);
Disturbing others by engaging in loud, raucous, unruly, aggressive, violent, harmful, or harassing behavior (RCW 9.91.025/SMC 10.10.100/ADA);
Destroying, defacing, or otherwise damaging STA property or any signs, notices, or advertisements on transit property (RCW 9.91.025/SMC 10.10.100);
Consuming an alcoholic beverage, or is in possession of an open beverage container holding alcohol in any Transit Vehicle. Carrying any alcoholic beverage or controlled substance in any Transit Vehicle, unless otherwise authorized by law (RCW 46.61.519);
Consuming an alcoholic beverage, or is in possession of an open container of alcohol on transit property or facilities, except where permitted to do so by virtue of possession of a valid state and/or local liquor license and authorized by STA;
Carrying, exhibiting, displaying, or drawing any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons, unless otherwise authorized by law (RCW 9.41.270);
Throwing an object at STA vehicles, facilities, or property, or at any person on STA property;
Allowing any animal to occupy a seat on transit property, to run at large, to unreasonably disturb others, leave waste matter on STA property, or interfere with transit-related activities;
Roller-skating, rollerblading or skateboarding (SMC 16.61.787);
Riding bicycles, unicycles, mopeds and motorcycles, except where vehicle travel and access is permitted (SMC 16.61.787);
Using STA property for residential or commercial parking purposes except as authorized by STA or its designee;
Operating, stopping, standing or parking a vehicle in any roadway or location restricted for use only by STA transit vehicle or otherwise restricted;
Eating on STA transit vehicles or in prohibited areas of STA facilities and properties; STA permits transportation and consumption of beverages on transit vehicles when the beverage is in a reusable, leak-proof container with a resealing lid;
Using a public address system, loudspeaker or other sound amplifying device, except as authorized by STA or its designee;
Sitting or lying on floors of STA transit vehicles; and floors, sidewalks, asphalt, or other ground covering in or on STA facilities and properties;
Sleeping, camping or storing personal property on benches and floors on or within STA transit vehicles or STA facilities and properties, unless otherwise authorized by law;
Entering or remaining upon any nonpublic areas of STA facilities and properties, including, but not limited to, staging areas, work areas and equipment rooms, except when authorized by STA or its designee;
Entering or remaining in an area marked as reserved for senior citizens or paratransit customers without proof of age or current paratransit ID card;
Entering STA transit vehicles or STA property without wearing a shirt and shoes;
Engaging in commercial activities, except as such activities are authorized by STA or its designee in a written permit, license, concession contract, lease or other written authorization;
Engaging in public communication activities, except as such activities are authorized by Articles IV and V herein;
Engaging in any civic, cultural and other special event, not included in the definitions of commercial or public communication activities in Article II herein, except as such activities are authorized by STA or its designee in a written permit, license, concession contract, lease or other written authorization;
Committing any act which tends to create or incite, or creates or incites, an immediate breach of peace, including, but not limited to (a) fighting, (b) racing, (c) obscene language and noisy or boisterous conduct tending to cause a breach of the peace, and (d) personally abusive epithets, or words or language of an offensive, disgusting or insulting nature, which epithets, words or language when addressed to the ordinary citizen are, as a matter of common knowledge, inherently likely to provoke a violent reaction of fear, anger or apprehension;
Engaging in sexual activity with self or others while accessing or riding an STA transit vehicle; in a transit facility, or on STA property;
Engaging in gambling or any game of chance for the winning of money or anything of value;
Use of STA transit vehicles, facilities and properties for nontransit-related activities, except as authorized by STA;
Entering STA transit vehicles, facilities and properties when lacking the ability, because of illness, intoxication, or medication(s), to care for one’s self;
Extending an object or a portion of one’s body through the door or window of an STA vehicle;
Hanging or swinging on bars or stanchions, with feet off the floor, inside a transit vehicle or other transit property; hanging onto or otherwise attaching oneself at any time to the exterior of a transit vehicle or other transit property;
Engaging in any physical sport activity on transit property;
Failing to pay the appropriate fare as required by STA (RCW 36.57A.230);
Falsely representing oneself as eligible for a special or reduced fare or obtaining any permit or pass related to the STA transit system by making a false representation;
Falsely claiming to be a transit operator, other transit employee, or volunteer; or through words, actions and/or the use of clothes, insignia or equipment resembling department-issued uniforms and equipment, creating a false impression that he or she is a transit operator, other transit employee, or volunteer;
Refusing to allow proper securement of a wheelchair on STA transit vehicles;
Refusing to use appropriate personal restraints/seatbelts on an STA transit vehicle providing paratransit services;
Interfering or tampering with mobile data computers, fare boxes, or any other equipment on STA transit vehicles or property;
Exceeding the number of no shows allowed under the paratransit procedures for shared-ride service; provided that trips missed for reasons beyond the customer’s control shall not be counted as no shows;
Impeding paratransit service through non-compliance with the procedures set forth in the Paratransit Rider’s Handbook;
Violating an exclusion order issued pursuant to B.2 of Article III herein; (RCW 9A.52.070/080) and
Violating any federal, state, or municipal civil and criminal laws.

B. ENFORCEMENT

1. Removal from STA Transit Vehicles, Facilities and Properties.

Any person engaging in prohibited conduct under the provisions of Article III may be refused entrance upon or ordered to leave STA transit vehicles, facilities and properties by a commissioned law enforcement official, STA personnel as authorized by the Chief Executive Officer of STA, or authorized personnel of a contracted service provider in accordance with the terms of the applicable service contract. Failure to immediately comply with such a removal order may be grounds for prosecution for criminal trespass and/or unlawful transit conduct.

2. Exclusion from Service.

Except as provided in STA’s Code of Conduct (Article III, Section B(2)(d) - Immediate Refusal or Removal), STA employees shall not refuse service to anyone who has not been formally excluded from STA service pursuant to the application of STA’s Rules of Conduct or a court order.

(a) Basis for Exclusion. Engaging in prohibited conduct under Article III shall be cause for excluding a person from the privilege of entering and using all or any part of STA transit vehicles, facilities and properties for a period of time as determined by STA based on the conduct and circumstances leading to an exclusion.

(b) Notice Procedure. The STA Chief Executive Officer, or his/her designee, shall give written notice, by personal delivery or by mailing a copy by regular U.S. Mail, addressed to the person’s last known address to any person to be excluded from STA transit vehicles, facilities and properties. The notice shall specify the reason for exclusion, places and duration of the exclusion, the effective date of the exclusion, the appeal process, and provide the person an opportunity to respond in person, by telephone or in writing, to the proposed action within five (5) calendar days of actual or constructive receipt of the notice by the person being excluded.

An exclusion shall commence on the sixth calendar day after actual or constructive receipt of the notice by the person being excluded, unless the person has timely requested an administrative review of the notice, in which case the STA Chief Executive Officer, or his/her designee, shall review the exclusion and shall render a written decision determining whether exclusion is warranted, within five (5) calendar days from the date of the person’s request for review. Such written decision shall be delivered personally to the requesting person or delivered by mailing a copy by regular U.S. Mail, addressed to the person’s last known address.

If the STA Chief Executive Officer, or his/her designee, determines that exclusion is warranted, such exclusion shall commence and be effective upon actual or constructive receipt of the written decision by the person to be excluded.

(c) Constructive Notice. Receipt of a notice is construed to have been accomplished if the person knew or reasonably should have known from the circumstances that he/she is excluded from STA transit vehicles, facilities and properties. Receipt of a notice is also presumed to have been accomplished three (3) calendar days after the notice has been placed in the U.S. mail.

(d) Immediate Refusal or Removal. The notice procedure described in Article III, Section B 2(b), (c) above may be waived, if, in STA’s discretion, immediate conditions exist that pose safety or security risks, interfere with or impinge on the rights of others, impede the free flow of the general public, impede the orderly and efficient use of STA transit vehicles, facilities and properties, or otherwise interfere with or seriously disrupt STA’s transit related activities. In such immediate conditions, persons engaging in prohibited conduct under the provisions of Article III may be immediately reseated, refused transportation, or removed from STA transit vehicles, facilities and properties. The notice and administrative review provisions of Article III, Section B 2(b) shall not be available to a person immediately refused transportation or removed from STA transit vehicles, facilities or properties for any period less than thirty (30) calendar days.

(e) Refusal to Comply. The refusal to immediately comply with an order excluding a person from STA transit vehicles, facilities and properties shall be grounds for prosecution for criminal trespass.

(f) Length of Exclusion. The following suggested exclusion lengths are guidelines to be used by STA in determining the duration of a particular exclusion under the provisions of Article III. The actual exclusion period imposed may be shorter or longer depending on the circumstances of each case, and the circumstances that form the basis for determining the length of exclusion shall be stated in STA’s written report(s) of the incident(s) leading to exclusion. Circumstances considered by STA in determining the length of exclusion may include, without limitation, the immediate incident, STA’s documented history of prior incidents involving the excluded person, STA security records, supervisor records and any other public records available to STA regarding the individual’s conduct while using or accessing STA’s public transportation facilities.

First Offense: 1-90 days

Second Offense: 91-180 days

Third Offense: 181-365 days

Each Subsequent Offense: 365 or more days

(g) Appeal Procedure. The following appeal process shall be provided to any person excluded from STA transit vehicles, facilities or properties for a period of thirty (30) days or more. Not later than ten (10) calendar days after commencement of the exclusion, an excluded person may appeal in writing to the STA Director of Operations, or his/her designee, for de novo review of the exclusion. Commencement of the exclusion shall be defined as the date upon which the exclusion became effective and shall be determined by STA’s official records. The appellant may request a hearing or may request review without a hearing based on a written statement setting forth the reasons why the exclusion is invalid or improper. If the excluded person is unable to respond in written format, STA will make reasonable accommodation to allow due process. If no hearing is requested, the STA Director of Operations, or his/her designee, shall render a written decision within twenty (20) calendar days after receipt of the appeal.

(h) Hearing. If a hearing is requested, the hearing shall be held within twenty (20) calendar days after receipt of the appeal, and a written decision shall be rendered within twenty (20) calendar days after the hearing. Exclusions shall not be stayed during the appeal process, unless the exclusion is for missing scheduled trips under Article III, Section A., 26 herein. If an appellant requires public transportation services to attend the hearing, the appellant shall contact the STA Director of Operations, or his/her designee, five (5) business days prior to the hearing date, and STA shall make arrangements to provide the necessary public transportation services for the appellant.

3. Other Laws not Limited.

The enforcement of Article III herein is not intended to limit, in any manner, the enforcement of any applicable federal, state or municipal laws, provided STA is not authorized to assist a patron or employee in enforcing a court order prohibiting or restricting contact with any other person other than to notify appropriate law enforcement personnel via STA’s dispatcher or STA Security.

C. LIABILITY

Nothing in Article III herein shall create a duty to any person on the part of STA or form any basis for liability on the part of STA, its officers, agents or employees. The obligation to comply with Article III is solely that of any person entering and using STA transit vehicles, facilities and properties and STA’s enforcement of Article III is discretionary not mandatory.

ARTICLE IV.--PUBLIC COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES AT STA TRANSIT VEHICLES, FACILITIES AND PROPERTIES OTHER THAN THE PLAZA

A. PURPOSE AND SCOPE

1. Non-Open Public Forums.

As a provider of public transportation services, STA makes a variety of transit vehicles, facilities and properties available to persons who use such public transportation services. Although these transit vehicles, facilities and properties may be accessed by the general public, they are not open public forums either by nature or by designation. They are intended to be used solely for transit-related activities and provide little, if any, space for other nontransit-related activities.

2. STA’s Legitimate Interests.

Most public communication activities are prohibited on STA transit vehicles and within or upon STA facilities and properties, regardless of viewpoint expressed, because they are incompatible with STA’s legitimate interests, including but not limited to:

(a) securing the use of scarce parking spaces and shelter space for persons who are using public transportation services;

(b) maintaining safe, clean and secure transit vehicles, facilities and properties to retain existing, and attract new, users of public transportation services;

(c) reducing litter pick-up and other maintenance or administrative expenses so as to maximize the provision of public transportation services; and

(d) preventing delays and inconvenience to the general public by minimizing congestion, and expediting their boarding, transferring, and alighting of STA transit vehicles.

3. Purpose of Article IV.

STA’s intent and desire is to allow members of the general public to engage in public communication activities on STA transit vehicles and within or upon STA facilities and properties to the extent such activities are compatible with STA’s legitimate proprietary functions and interests, but expressly does not hereby designate its transit vehicles, facilities and properties as public forums. It is the purpose of Article IV to describe the limited extent to which the general public is allowed to engage in public communication activities on STA transit vehicles and within or upon STA facilities and properties. Article IV does not apply to STA employees engaged in authorized activities in the course of their employment or to events or commercial activities previously authorized by STA.

4. Facilities Governed by Article IV.

STA transit vehicles, facilities and properties, as defined herein, except the Plaza, are governed by Article IV. The Plaza is governed by Article V herein.

B. REGULATION OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES

Persons engaging in public communication activities involving signs, boxes, receptacles, easels or other similar apparatus of any kind, must first obtain an STA Permit in accordance with the rules and procedures set forth in Article IV herein. Otherwise, no permit will be required for public communications activities as otherwise provided herein.

STA personnel may require that any public communication activity not be conducted within ten feet of persons in transit vehicle queue lines, bus entrances or exits or permanent waiting fixtures unless invited closer by a transit patron.

1. Limitations.

Public communication activities which are otherwise lawful are permitted on STA transit vehicles and within or upon STA facilities and properties, subject to the following exceptions and limitations:

Posting or affixing flyers, pamphlets, brochures, leaflets, written or graphic material of any kind is prohibited.

Selling or offering for sale or donation books, pamphlets, or any other written or printed material is prohibited.

Soliciting funds is prohibited; provided that solicitation for donations for non-profit causes may be conducted under Article V within designated areas of The Plaza, and are otherwise subject to the Rules of Conduct and laws applicable to such fundraising.

Signs, banners, structures or other paraphernalia may not be affixed to or erected on STA transit vehicles and within or upon STA facilities and properties, except as authorized by STA or law.

Signs carried by or on a person are permitted provided the signs are not constructed of a size or material which could inadvertently or intentionally cause injury to a person or property, except signs are not permitted on STA transit vehicles. Signs may not be of a size that obstructs the free flow of the general public and may not exceed 32 inches by 32 inches. A “Sandwich board” sign may not extend beyond the carrier’s shoulders or, if used by a Permittee, beyond the permitted area.

Public communication activities will not be permitted in parking areas or roadways. Public communication activities may not block any loading zone, signage, stairway, escalator, elevator, customer service counter, ticket or automatic teller machine, authorized commercial activity, any fire safety system component, telephone, information board or the normal general public paths to and from such areas.

Public communication activities otherwise permitted under Article IV are prohibited if the number of persons engaged in the activities, their location or their manner of conducting the activities is found to create safety or security problems; interfere with the free flow of persons onto STA transit vehicles, or into, within or from STA facilities and properties; or interfere with the operation of such transit vehicles, facilities and properties, or STA’s provision of public transportation services.

Persons engaged in public communication activities within or upon STA facilities and properties shall not use any parking spaces provided at such facilities and properties unless they are also using STA’s public transportation services.

C. GENERAL

1. Liability for Clean-up.

Any person engaged in public communication activities and found responsible for litter, damages or destruction of property, whether by accident or intent, shall be responsible for the clean-up and/or liable for the cost of repairing or replacing the property.

2. Liability of STA.

Nothing in Article IV or in the permission of public communication activities on STA transit vehicles and within or upon STA facilities and properties shall create a duty to any person on the part of STA or form any basis for liability on the part of STA, the members of the Board, its agents or employees. The obligation to comply with the requirements of Article IV is solely that of any persons engaging in public communication activities and STA’s enforcement of Article IV is discretionary, not mandatory.

3. Non-STA Uses.

Notwithstanding the limitations and prohibitions contained in Article IV, STA reserves the right to enter into leases or other use agreements permitting non-STA uses of STA transit vehicles, facilities and properties that are found to be compatible with STA’s proprietary functions and interests.

ARTICLE V.--PUBLIC COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES: THE PLAZA

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Purpose of The Plaza.

The Plaza, including, but not limited to, the Lower Level, Street Level and Skywalk Level, is first and foremost intended for STA public transportation services and the use of those services by the general public. Safe and efficient movement of STA transit vehicles and customers within and upon The Plaza is paramount to achieving safety, security, maintenance and operation objectives and meeting general public expectations concerning The Plaza and STA’s provision of public transportation services. Selected areas of The Plaza may accommodate public communication activities unrelated to the provision of public transportation services at the discretion of STA. To the extent public communication activities can be accommodated at The Plaza, the rules and procedures stated in this Article V shall apply.

2. Purpose of Article V.

The Plaza is primarily intended for persons making use of public transportation services, although many of the areas of The Plaza are also open to the general public and patrons of the commercial establishments located in The Plaza.

The public areas of The Plaza include the Street and Skywalk Levels. With respect to these public areas, STA is (within reasonable limits) authorized to regulate the time, place, and manner in which persons conduct themselves.

Without regard to content, individuals or groups involved, some activities might be denied altogether or made subject to the Rules of Conduct. Such activities would include, but are not necessarily limited to, those that are inconsistent with the intended purpose of a given area, pose safety or security risks, interfere with or impinge on the rights of others, impede the free flow of the general public, affect the orderly and efficient use of The Plaza, or otherwise interfere with STA’s public transportation services, operations and maintenance activities.

Accordingly, the express purpose of Article V is to accommodate freedom of expression and maintain the operational function of The Plaza as a Transit Center. Article V should be construed and interpreted to achieve that end.

B. RULES AND PROCEDURES

1. STA Intent.

It is the intent of STA to accommodate, to the extent practicable, public communication activities that are not associated with the purposes for which The Plaza was intended. While attempting to accommodate such activities, STA must extend some control over them to achieve the goals and objectives described above. Accordingly, persons will be allowed to engage in public communication activities within The Plaza, provided such activities are conducted in accordance with the following rules and procedures, as applicable, and are not in violation of the Rules of Conduct and existing laws.

2. Public Communication Activities.

(a) Permit. Persons engaging in public communication activities at The Plaza must first obtain a Permit from STA. Provided, that persons engaging in public communication activities not involving signs, boxes, receptacles, easels or other similar apparatus of any kind, on the sidewalks surrounding The Plaza may do so without obtaining a Permit in accordance with the rules and procedures set forth in this Article V. STA personnel may require that such activity not be conducted within ten feet of persons in sidewalk queue lines, bus exits or permanent waiting fixtures unless invited closer by a transit patron.

(b) Application for Permit. Any person that desires to obtain a Permit shall submit an application (“Application”) to STA’s Director of Operations or his/her designee. A copy of the form of the Application is attached hereto as “Appendix 1” and by this reference is incorporated herein. Applications may be obtained in-person, Monday - Friday (except holidays), 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., from STA’s Business Office, 1230 W. Boone Ave., Spokane, WA 99201, or The Plaza Bus Shop, 701 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane, WA 99201.

(c) Issuance of Permit. Within a period of no more than two (2) business days of receipt of a completed Application, a Permit shall be issued by STA’s Director of Operations or his/her designee, or the applicant shall be furnished a written statement setting forth the reason why the Application for a Permit has been denied. A Permit will not be issued more than seven (7) calendar days prior to the commencement of intended use and will be valid only for the specific dates, times and designated areas identified on the Permit. A Permit shall be effective for a period of no longer than seven (7) calendar days and will be limited to the normal hours and days that the designated area(s) identified on the Permit is open for public access. No Permit shall be issued for more than five (5) hours in each seven (7) calendar days for any individual or group. Applications shall be processed in the order of their receipt.

(1) A Permit may be renewed prior to its expiration for up to seven (7) additional calendar days by filing with STA’s Director of Operations or his/her designee, a notice that the Permittee intends to continue his/her activity, together with any amendments necessary to keep the information required by the Application current and accurate. A Permit shall not be renewed if the notice and information herein required are not timely filed or if the continued presence of the Permittee cannot be accommodated under the rules and procedures in this Article V.

(2) Permittees will be required to have the Permit on their person (or with group) when engaged in their activity. A copy of the form of the Permit is attached hereto as “Appendix 2” and by this reference is incorporated herein.

(d) Areas of Permit Exercise. Permitted public communication activities, as defined in Article II herein, are permitted in certain designated places in the Street and Skywalk Levels of The Plaza, which are shaded and identified on “Appendix 3” attached hereto and by this reference incorporated herein.

(e) Denial of Permit. If a Permit is denied, STA’s Director of Operations or his/her designee, shall serve on the applicant personally or by regular U.S. Mail, return receipt requested, a written statement of reasons for denial. A Permit shall not be denied unless:

(1) The applicant has not furnished the information required by the Application, or has failed to agree to the conditions of the Permit;

(2) The applicant is subject to: (i) an exclusion order issued to the applicant or participant pursuant to Article III herein; (ii) a revocation of a previous permit issued to the applicant; or (iii) a failure to comply with the terms and conditions of a permit previously issued to the applicant;

(3) The nature of the activity that the applicant wishes to conduct constitutes a commercial activity as defined in Article III herein and is subject to other requirements of STA;

(4) Emergency conditions exist that make the applicant’s proposed activity at the date, time and location proposed by the applicant incompatible with the operational function of The Plaza; or

(5) More applicants than herein provided for have requested permitted activities for the same date, time and location and the applicant is not entitled to priority in accordance with the rules and procedures in this Article V.

(6) Where feasible, the Director or his/her designee may propose measures for curing any defect in the application for a permit.

(f) Revocation of Permit. A Permit shall be revoked immediately by STA’s Director of Operations or his/her designee, when evidence exists that:

(1) A Permittee has violated the provisions of the Rules of Conduct, has been duly warned of the violation at least once, but has not complied; or

(2) The activity has attracted a crowd of sufficient size so as to begin to adversely impact the safety, security or rights of others, the free flow of the general public, or the normal operation requirements of The Plaza. Under this circumstance, the Permit may be returned for use if the crowd disperses and the adverse conditions that existed at the time of revocation are no longer present.

(g) Notice of Revocation.

(1) Notice of revocation shall be in writing supported by a statement of facts and a list of witnesses to the facts stated, and the notice shall be personally served upon the Permittee or mailed to the Permittee by certified mail, return receipt requested. A notice of revocation need not be in writing, if immediate conditions exist that pose safety or security risks, interfere with or impinge on the rights of others, impede the free flow of the general public, affect the orderly and efficient use of The Plaza, or otherwise interfere with STA’s public transportation services, operations and maintenance activities. If written notice of revocation is not given because of such immediate conditions, the STA Director of Operations or his/her designee, shall within one (1) calendar day from the date of revocation, prepare a written notice of revocation as required above.

(2) Once a Permit has been revoked, a person shall not continue their activity until another Permit has been obtained or the revoked Permit returned by the STA Director of Operations or his/her designee. If the Permit has been revoked on a permanent basis, all materials involved in the terminated activity must be removed immediately, by the individual(s) involved.

(h) Appeal from Denial or Revocation.

(1) Upon notification of the denial of a Permit, or revocation thereof, an applicant or Permittee may file with STA’s Chief Executive Officer a notice of appeal.

(2) Upon receipt of the notice of appeal, the matter shall be set for a hearing before STA’s Chief Executive Officer within ten (10) calendar days thereof and STA shall issue a notice of hearing which shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the applicant or Permittee, and which shall contain the date, time and place of the hearing.

(3) At the hearing, the applicant or Permittee may be represented by legal counsel. Testimony shall be taken upon oath or affirmation first of witnesses in support of the denial or revocation of the Permit. The applicant or Permittee may testify and present witnesses on his behalf. A record shall be made of the proceeding and kept on file with STA.

(4) The findings and order of STA’s Chief Executive Officer shall, within seven (7) calendar days of the conclusion of the hearing, be forthwith sent to the applicant or Permittee by certified mail, return receipt requested.

(5) An applicant denied a Permit may immediately appeal the order of STA’s Chief Executive Officer to any court with jurisdiction. Filing an appeal stays the order of STA’s Chief Executive Officer until a final judicial decision has been rendered. A denied applicant, who desires to file an appeal, shall have seven (7) calendar days from the date the applicant receives the order to file such appeal before the order becomes final.

(i) Availability of and Limit Upon Permits.

(1) Permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability. If more persons are requesting issuance of Permits than can be accommodated for the area, date and time requested, STA’s Director of Operations shall give preference to the applicant or applicants who have had the least opportunity during the preceding thirty (30) calendar days to conduct public communication activities. Permits shall be issued without regard to the identity of the person or cause for which the Permit is being requested

(2) For safety and security reasons, to ensure that the free flow of the general public and the intended transportation functions of The Plaza are met, and to accommodate other activities competing for the limited available space, a maximum of four (4) individuals, representing the same groups or causes, will be allowed to engage in public communication activities at each of the designated areas in the Street or Skywalk Levels of The Plaza, at any given time.

(j) Table Endorsement. Persons requesting a Permit to engage in public communication activities may, at their option, indicate a desire to use tables and chairs to store, display, and distribute materials in conjunction with their activity. Permits requiring the use of a table or other furniture will be annotated by a “Table Endorsement.” Subject to the availability of space, no more than two (2) tables will be permitted at each designated area in the interior Street or Skywalk Levels. Table Endorsements will not be issued for use on the sidewalks surrounding The Plaza. Tables may only be used in accordance with the following conditions:

(1) Only tables/chairs supplied by STA are permissible. STA provides tables/chairs for a charge based on commercial rental of similar equipment in Spokane. The table/chairs will be set up and dismantled by STA staff. A table must be attended at all times, unless the Permittee is physically present within the area and can maintain sight of the table at all times.

(2) Materials must be stored on top of or beneath each table. Under no circumstances may the table, chair, stored articles or person(s) staffing the table obstruct the free flow of persons moving within or through The Plaza.

(3) Signs, leaflets or other materials may be affixed to the table. No signs, leaflets or other materials may be posted to or erected within The Plaza unless space has otherwise been provided for such use.

(4) STA will not be held responsible for damage to or loss of any materials under or upon the table.

(k) Transferability. Upon written approval by STA’s Director of Operations, a Permit may be transferred to another person engaged in the same activity; provided the receiving party complies with the conditions of the Permit and retains it on his/her person during the activity.

(l) Reproduction. Permits may not be reproduced or altered in any manner. Reproduced or altered Permits will be considered invalid and confiscated. The holder of the invalid Permit will be required to cease their activity until a valid Permit is obtained.

(m) Signs, Banners, Literature, Etc. Signs, banners, literature, leaflets, posters, structures or other paraphernalia may not be affixed to The Plaza or any property in The Plaza or erected in conjunction with an activity, unless space has otherwise been provided for such purpose at The Plaza or under provisions stated elsewhere in Article V. Signs carried by or on a person are permitted provided the signs are not constructed of materials which could inadvertently or intentionally cause injury to another individual. Signs must not be of a size that obstructs the free flow of the general public (e.g., a maximum of 32 inches by 32 inches or a “sandwich board” worn by an individual which does not extend beyond the carrier’s shoulders is acceptable). Permittees may offer literature to the general public, but shall refrain from attempting to distribute literature to any member of the general public who indicates he or she does not desire to receive said literature.

(n) Responsibility for Clean-up. The Permittee shall be responsible for cleaning up litter that they personally (or as a group) generate in the course of their activity. If, at the end of the Permittee’s activity, the Permittee fails to clean up such litter, STA shall cause the clean up of the Permittee’s litter and the Permittee shall reimburse STA for all costs incurred therefore.

(o) Unattended Distribution and Storage of Materials. No Permittee shall leave unattended distribution or storage of materials, placards, boxes, or other supplies used in support of public communication activities.

(p) Liability for Damaging Property. Any person or organization engaged in public communication activities and found responsible for damaging, injuring, or destroying STA property within or upon The Plaza, whether by accident or intent, shall be liable for the cost of replacing and/or repairing such property.

(q) Hold Harmless. Any Permittee, including Permittee’s personal representatives, successors in interest, and assigns, shall, as a precondition to the issuance of the Permit, agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless STA, and its officers, agents and employees from all suits, claims, actions and damages of whatsoever kind or nature arising out of or resulting from the Permittee’s use of the premises, except to the extent caused by the negligence of STA and its officers, agents and employees. Permittee shall further covenant and agree to specifically assume potential liability for actions brought by Permittee’s own employees against STA and its officers, agents and employees and, for that purpose only, Permittee specifically waives any immunity under workers’ compensation act, Title 51 RCW; provided, however, that said waiver shall not apply to such actions in which Permittee’s employee alleges that the claim arises through the fault of STA and its officers, agents and employees and through no fault of Permittee, unless the fault of Permittee is established through discovery or at trial.

(r) Interaction with the General Public. STA and its officers, agents and employees, shall not unnecessarily interfere with any consensual conversation between Permittees and members of the general public. Permittees shall forthwith terminate any conversation with any member of the general public when requested to do so by the addressee. No person, while engaged in public communication activities, shall physically touch or contact a member of the general public, unless the person has previously consented to the contact or unless the person has previously agreed to contribute to the Permittee or the organization which he represents.

(s) Misrepresentations. No person, while engaging in solicitation of funds, shall misrepresent the true purposes for which the resources thus obtained will be utilized by the person. In the solicitation of funds, the person shall inform the person being solicited of the true intent of the organization for which said funds are solicited. No false, fraudulent, or misleading statements or representations shall be made.

(t) Permits and Licenses. The Permittee shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary permits and licenses from any other regulatory agencies required for the Permittee’s use of The Plaza. Permittee shall provide copies of said permits to STA upon its request.

(u) Compliance with the Rules of Conduct and Laws. Permittees shall abide by the Rules of Conduct and all state, federal and municipal criminal and civil laws applicable to them.

Comprehensive Plan

Connect Spokane

During the last several years, STA has been working with local jurisdictions and members of the community to create Connect Spokane: A Comprehensive Plan for Public Transportation. Adopted by the STA Board of Directors on July 21, 2010 and revised on September 15, 2010, this document is a guiding policy document, an educational tool, and a description of what transit may start to look like throughout the Spokane Region over the coming decades. Please take an opportunity to read through the plan and feel free to contact us if you have any questions or thoughts.

Please click on the link below to view the final board adopted version of the plan.

Connect Spokane: A Comprehensive Plan for Public Transportation

Please click on the links below to view background information on STA's Comprehensive Plan, CONNECT SPOKANE.

Click here to take a survey and leave comments about STA's Comprehensive Plan.

September 2010 Service Reductions Preliminary Proposal

The information below represents the original preliminary proposal presented to the STA Board of Directors in February 2010. This information remains accessible for reference only. Since that time, STA has developed a Draft Recommendation that is different from the information below and has presented the recommendation to the STA Board of Directors. To find out more about the Draft Recommendation, click here.

For nearly two years, Spokane Transit’s primary source of operating revenue, a locally imposed sales tax, has been in decline, reducing the agency’s ability to maintain its current level of service to the Public Transportation Benefit Area. Although transit ridership has seen strong growth over the last several years, increased revenue from fares alone cannot make up for the budget shortfall caused by the decline in sales tax revenue. Like most of its peer agencies, STA is faced with cutting service as one response toward helping the agency realize fiscal sustainability during these challenging times. For Spokane Transit, this means returning to 2004 service levels and jeopardizing much or all of the 45% ridership increase it enjoyed over the past few years.
As part of its 2010 Budget, the STA Board of Directors identified a service reduction strategy that would allow cuts to take place over several years, helping to ensure reductions are made strategically with allowance for new revenues that could help avoid the full effect of cuts. In total, the cuts required between 2010 and 2012 approximate a 16% reduction in fixed-route operations in order to maintain a sustainable service through 2015. The graph below illustrates the gap between what was once expected and where the system must go in terms of hours of fixed-route service provided.

Beginning Fall 2009, the Spokane Transit Planning Department analyzed routes, trips and schedules that could be discontinued, reduced or modified. The Fixed-Route Service Design Guidelines adopted by the Board in December 2009 acted as a handbook for this analysis (this document can be viewed here). There were three primary considerations for this analysis effort:

Are the potential reductions consistent with the Service Design Guidelines?
Are the potential reductions feasible to implement by September 2010?
Are there other feasible service restructures or modifications that could be made within the timeline that could result in both cost savings and ridership gains?

Paratransit Services

Decision-Making Process

STA has been seeking input from the public on the preliminary proposal. Input was gathered through the online survey and targeted meetings with affected neighborhoods and institutions. Staff will consider input in preparing a draft recommendation for the STA Board that will be available to the public no later than April 22, 2010. A public hearing will be held May 19, 2010, with board action on a final recommendation from staff expected no later than the June 16, 2010, STA Board meeting. Please take time to review the information below to understand how the preliminary proposal may affect the routes you use.

Summary of Proposed Changes

CLARIFYING NOTE: The proposal would increase the hours of service of Route 66 on weekdays to run from about 5:30 am to 11:00 pm. Hours of service on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays will be generally consistent with the current service hours of the Route 65.

Route Eliminations

Maps

To view a map of the Route 35 changes, click here.

To view a map of the Route 47 changes, click here.

Trip and Frequency Reduction

Maps

To view a map of the Route 20/33 changes, click here.

To view a map of the Route 23 changes, click here.

Maps

To view a map of the Route 27 changes, click here.

To view a map of the Route 44 changes, click here.

Map

To view a map of the Route 44 and 33 changes, click here.

Trip and Frequency Restructures

Maps

To view a map of the Route 2 changes, click here.

To view a map of the Route 29 and 31 changes, click here.

Map

To view a map of the Route 65 and 66 changes, click here.

Map

To view a map of the Route 91 changes, click here.

To view a copy of the Service Change Proposal presentation given to the STA Board of Directors, click here.

To view the complete Preliminary Proposal as presented to the STA Board of Directors, click here.

Summer Construction Projects to Cause Detours

STA will have to detour some routes as construction projects throughout the region get underway.

Look for Rider Alerts on the Routes listing page and information relating to your specific route(s) in the right hand column of the each Route and Schedules page.

#27 Hillyard
DATE UNKNOWN: A rebuild of east Francis from Market to Division will occur in three phases. The first phase will not affect the route but the last two will force the #27 Hillyard to detour. The detour will change as the project switches from Phase 2 to Phase 3. Other routes in the area such as the #25 Division and #26/28 Lidgerwood/Nevada may also have minor detours because of this project.

#43 Lincoln/37th Ave & #44 29th Ave
LATE JUNE/EARLY JULY: A rebuild of 29th Ave from Grand to High Drive will occur in two phases. The first phase will force the #44 29th Ave route to detour but the second phase will require detours to occur on both the #43 Lincoln/37th Ave & the #44 29th Ave routes.

#97 South Valley
DATE UNKNOWN: A rebuild of Evergreen from 16th to 32nd will close traffic and require the #97 South Valley route to detour. The anticipated detour route will use Hwy 27/Pines between 16th and 32nd.

#124 North Express
LATE MAY: A roundabout will be installed at the intersection of Mill Rd. and Waikiki Rd. forcing the intersection to close from June to August. Look for Rider Alerts or subscribe to our Facebook, Twitter or text messaging feeds for specific detour notices as they become available

2012 Regional Road Construction Projects Map

Union Representation

Spokane Transit employs more than 500 people, many of whom are represented by one of three bargaining units.

Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1015

This is the largest union and represents about 320 fixed route (bus) drivers, mechanics, facilities crew, servicers, cleaners, and some clerical positions. Online at www.atu1015.org

AFSCME, Local 3939

This union represents about 75 paratransit drivers and paratransit clerical and technical positions. Online at www.afscme.org

Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1598

This is the smallest of all three unions. It represents the 19 operational supervisors/dispatchers in the fixed route and paratransit divisions. Online at www.atu.org

2008 Public Meetings Archive

Below are the Spokane Transit Board of Directors and each of STA's committee meeting schedules, agendas and minutes for 2008.

Spokane Transit Board of Directors

2008 Meeting Schedule	Meeting Agenda	Approved Minutes
January 17	Agenda	Minutes
February 21	Agenda	Minutes
March 20	Agenda	Minutes
April 17	Agenda	Minutes
May 15	Agenda	Minutes
June 12	Agenda	Minutes
July 17	Agenda	Minutes
August/No Meeting	NA	NA
September 18	Agenda	Minutes
October 1 (Board Budget Workshop)	Agenda	Minutes
November 5 (Board Budget Workshop)	Agenda	Minutes
October 16	Agenda	Minutes
November 20	Agenda	Minutes
December 18	CANCELLED	NA
December 19	Agenda	Minutes

Citizens Advisory Committee

2008 Meeting Schedule	Agenda	Approved Minutes
January 9	Agenda	Minutes
February 13 (special meeting)	Agenda	Minutes w/Presentations
February 25	Agenda	NA
March 12	Agenda	Minutes
April 9	Agenda	Minutes
May 14	Agenda	Minutes
June 11	Agenda	Minutes
July 9	Cancelled	NA
August/No Meeting	NA	NA
September 10/Public Forum	NA	NA
October 8	Agenda	Minutes
November 12	Agenda	Minutes
December 10	Agenda	Minutes

Operations and Customer Service Committee

2008 Meeting Schedule	Agenda	Approved Minutes
January 9	Agenda	Minutes
February 6	Agenda	Minutes
March 5	Agenda	Minutes
April 2	Agenda	Minutes
May 7	Agenda	Minutes
June 4	Agenda	Minutes
July 2	Agenda	Minutes
August/No Meeting	NA	NA
September 3	Agenda	Minutes
October 1	Agenda	Minutes
November 5	Agenda	Minutes
December 3	Agenda	Minutes

Privacy Policy

Thank you for visiting the STA Web site and reviewing our Privacy Policy. Your privacy is one of our top priorities. We view this Privacy Policy as a privacy partnership between the STA and you, our valued customer. The following policy applies only to the use of the STA's Web site. Other Web sites operated have different policies. We strongly suggest that you read the privacy policies for each Web site that you visit, and any external site that you visit through a link appearing at this site.

We seek to protect your privacy to the maximum extent possible. However, because some of the information that we receive through this Web site is subject to the Washington State Public Records Law, and due to the nature of Internet communications, we cannot ensure absolute privacy. Information that you provide to us through this site may be made available to members of the public under that law. This Privacy Policy is designed to explain the specific privacy protections we provide to you at our Web site. This policy informs you of the information that we collect from you at this site, what we do with it, to whom it may be disseminated, and how you can access it. Based on this information, you can make an informed choice about your use of this site. You can maximize the benefits of your privacy partnership with the STA by making informed choices about whether to share personally identifiable information with us through this site.

Acceptance of this Privacy Policy

By using this website you agree to the terms and conditions of this Privacy Policy. Without limitation of the foregoing, you understand and agree that (1) the information collected by STA may be stored indefinitely, (2) STA may store, access and use the information in any jurisdiction, including jurisdictions in which the privacy laws may be different and less protective than those in your home jurisdiction and (3) STA will not share any information submitted to this site with any other organization or individual. Please do not use this website if you do not agree to the terms and conditions of this Privacy Policy.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

STA reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy at any time but will not do so without posting the modified Privacy Policy on our website. We encourage you to review our privacy policy whenever you visit our website to make sure you understand how your information will be used.

What information does STA automatically collect about you and how is it used? When you visit our website, we automatically collect some basic information about your computer as part of the software operation of our website. The type of information we collect includes:

User name;
IP address (your computer's unique signature);
Information about purchases made on our site or affiliated sites;
Navigation information;
Operating system (e.g., Windows 98, Macintosh);
Browser software (e.g., Netscape, Internet Explorer); and
Internet Service Provider (e.g., AOL, MSN).

We may use this information to compile statistics for the purpose of understanding the number of daily visitors, type and number of passes sold, the pages most frequently visited and how long visitors stay at each page. These aggregated statistics are used to help us to understand the needs of our users and to develop and continually improve our products and services to better serve those needs. We may also share this information in the aggregate with other third parties.

What are "Cookies" and how does STA use them?

Cookies are small text files that are sent to your computer from the server(s) hosting STA’s site and saved on your computer's hard drive. Cookies allow STA to personalize your experience on our website to make your experience more useful by enabling you to conveniently navigate around our website. We use cookies to track registration and transactional information regarding use of our website. Most browsers are initially set to accept cookies. If you prefer not to have cookies placed on your computer, most browsers allow you to decline cookies. However, if you do so, some of the conveniences they make possible may not be available, and certain portions of our website may not be accessible to you.

What information does STA request you provide and how is that information used?

When you place a request for a trip or other product or service on our website, STA asks you to provide certain personal information. The types of personal information STA collects include the following: your first and last name, telephone number, postal address, email address. We will also ask for credit card information from you in connection with purchases you may make through our website. This information is used to process any orders placed by you on the website, to customize our website and to understand the needs of our users so that we may better serve you better. When you indicate that you want to purchase a pass through the STA website, we will provide your order information to our Customer Service staff for processing. We do not sell or rent your personal information to others. We may provide to certain third parties aggregate statistics about our sales, products and services purchased though our web. This data will not contain any personally identifying information about you.

STA reserves the right to disclose your personal information if required to do so by law or in the good-faith belief that such action is reasonably necessary to (1) comply with legal process; (2) respond to any claims; or (3) protect the rights, property, or personal safety of STA and our customers.

How You Can Opt Out

If, at any time, you wish to have your name and other personal information removed from our database, please let us know by writing to us at STA, West 1230 Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA, 99201, Attention: Customer Service.

How is your personal information stored and protected?

The personal information you provide when you purchase any merchandise through our website is retained indefinitely by STA and electronically stored in secure environments that are made as inaccessible to the public as is reasonably possible. When you place orders or access your account information, we offer the use of a secure server. You may review, update or correct your personal information at any time by writing to us at STA, West 1230 Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA, 99201, Attention: Customer Service.

Links to Other Websites

Links from our website are provided for your convenience only. STA is not responsible for the content of any third party website or the privacy practices of such third parties. In addition, any link from our website to another website does not indicate that STA endorses the services or policies of such third party website. You should always investigate the information practices of all websites that you access and carefully examine the privacy policies, if any, of any websites appearing on or linking to or from our website. Personal information collected from the linked websites will be subject to the information practices of those websites.

Use of this Website by Minors

STA does not intend to collect information from individuals who identify themselves as under eighteen (18) years of age. If you are under eighteen (18), you should not provide information on this website and should ask your parent or authorized guardian to do so for you. STA will not collect information from those individuals who identify themselves as less than eighteen (18) years of age without verifiable consent from a parent or other authorized guardian. Credit card transactions initiated by minors are governed by your cardholder agreement.

Questions or Concerns

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is used, please write to us at STA, West 1230 Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA, 99201, Attention: Customer Service.

Does STA share the information with anyone?

Unless a user consents to such distribution, STA will not sell, lease, or give away personally identifiable information to other governments, organizations, or private businesses within the limits of the law.

It’s important to know the law, as state and federal laws place a special burden on public entities such as STA to assure the public’s right to access public records and information. Public information (as opposed to private information) involves information about activity that is regulated. For example, in purchasing a birth certificate online, a person’s name and birth date is public information (because births are regulated by the state), but the fact that you bought it with a certain credit-card number is not (because means of purchasing is not regulated). Furthermore, public information would include correspondence with other agencies, including e-mails and website comments about shared processes, policies, activities and other types of general correspondence. However, certain subjects fall under exemptions of the state's public disclosure act, including employee benefit questions, welfare information, and other types of client-specific data.

For details, see Revised Code of Washington 42.56.070, Documents and indexes to be made public," and the federal "Freedom of Information Act."

Outside of legal requirements and extreme emergencies, information on the STA website will not be released to anyone without the consent of the user.

Disclaimer Notice

The Spokane Transit Authority (STA) makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, currency, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this website and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in its contents. In the event of a conflict between this Privacy Policy and the Public Records Act or other law governing the disclosure of records, the Public Records Act or other applicable law will control.

No warranty of any kind, implied, express or statutory, including but not limited to the warranties of non-infringement of third party rights, title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and freedom from computer virus, is given with respect to this website or its links to other Internet resources. Although we have put in place security systems (as described in this Policy) that are designed to prevent unauthorized disclosure of your personally identifiable information, due to the nature of Internet technologies we cannot provide firm assurances as to the security of this information, and expressly disclaim any such obligation.

Site Privileges

You agree to refrain from activity that imposes an unreasonable burden on the Site, and we reserve the right, in our discretion, to limit the order quantity on any item and /or to refuse service to any customer who violates these provisions.

Choice of Law and Jurisdiction

This Site is controlled and operated by the STA from its location in Spokane, Washington. This Policy shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington, without regard to any conflict of law provisions. Any dispute arising under this Policy shall be resolved exclusively by the state or federal courts sitting in Spokane County, Washington.

Community Event Application

Some special events qualify for special services to support a community event. Contact Molly Myers at mmyers@spokanetransit.com or at (509) 325-6090 for details.

Community Event Application

Executive Team

E. Susan Meyer

Chief Executive Officer
Contact: SMeyer@spokanetransit.com

The Board of Directors appointed Ms. Meyer Spokane Transit’s Chief Executive Officer in June 2005. Ms. Meyer brings 20 years of business leadership and management experience to the organization. She was previously Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Relations at Telect, Inc.; Director of Community Relations at Pacific Gas Transmission (now TransCanada); and Executive Director of the non-profit economic development organization Momentum. Ms. Meyer also operated her own firm, Meyer Consulting, providing business planning, human resources and communications consulting services.

A life-long resident of the region, Ms. Meyer earned her Bachelor’s degree and MBA from Eastern Washington University. Many local civic boards have benefited from her service, including the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, YMCA, Association of Washington Business, Physician Hospital Community Organization and Life Services of Spokane.

Ms. Meyer's top priority is to earn the community’s confidence as a responsive and accountable steward of public resources. Her specific plans focus on increasing Spokane Transit’s ridership, enhancing customers’ ease of access to services, and constraining operating costs.

Lynda Warren

Director of Finance
Contact: LWarren@spokanetransit.com

Lynda Warren came to Spokane Transit in August 2011 from Rogue Community College in southern Oregon where she was Chief Financial Officer and Vice-President of College Services for the last ten years. In addition to Finance, Ms. Warren’s responsibilities included Auxiliary Services, Contracts, Facilities, Human Resources, Information Technology, Procurement and Public Safety. Prior to that, she served as Business Services Director at Chemeketa Community College in Salem Oregon for 13 years. Ms. Warren earned Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Finance from the University of Illinois.

Ms. Warren is looking forward to making Spokane her home where she will be able to spend more time with her granddaughter, Kayla.

Steve Blaska

Director of Operations
Contact: SBlaska@spokanetransit.com

Mr. Steve Blaska became part of the Spokane Transit executive team in February 2004. He brings 24 years of experience managing transportation, maintenance, logistics, infrastructure, and strategic and budget operations in a variety of organizations within the US Army. Mr. Blaska rose to the rank of Colonel and has earned two Bachelors degrees and two Masters degrees.

Mr. Blaska and his wife, Dianna, are Pacific Northwest natives and considered Spokane to be the perfect place to make a permanent home for them and their four children.

Karl Otterstrom

Director of Planning
Contact: KOtterstrom@spokanetransit.com

Karl Otterstrom joined Spokane Transit’s executive team in January 2009. Mr. Otterstrom’s relatively brief yet intensive career in transit planning has included work for the Federal Transit Administration and King County Metro as well as an internship during his undergraduate studies with STA. He received his masters in urban planning from the University of Washington and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Mr. Otterstrom’s first date with his wife, Kate, was in Seattle on a mild November Saturday, where they explored downtown and the waterfront by foot, streetcar and trolleybus. They are pleased to be in Spokane as they raise their young family.

Core Values

Thank you for your interest in Spokane Transit. It’s important for us to share our core values with you during this process, to give you a sense of who we are, and who we strive to be. Please review these core values. We would be glad to provide additional information if you have any questions or comments.

Spokane Transit’s Core Values

Recognizing that every person who lives in or visits the Spokane Public Transportation Benefit Area is our customer, Spokane Transit employees aspire to live and work the values of T R A N S I T.

Team Players

By nurturing integrity, responsibility, respect, and trust in our customers and ourselves, we recognize that our success is achieved when all employees work toward common goals.

Respect

We are open and honest in our internal and external communications.

Accountable

We are accountable to each other, all our customers, and our community to demonstrate these core values in our daily work life.

Neighbors

We care about our community. We are involved in our community and provide numerous opportunities for our community to be part of Spokane Transit.

Service

We fulfill both our internal and external customers’ needs with responsive, selfless service.

Innovative

We encourage and reward continuous improvement and creativity.

Trained

We are professionals, who are talented in our jobs, exhibit a strong work ethic, and constantly seek to improve our skills and the safety of our services.

We are proud of our region and seek to be partners in its growth and vitality.

History of Transit in Spokane

An Evolution

Street Car Image

Transit service in the Spokane area began in 1883, as a series of independent transit companies with horse-drawn vehicles. In 1922, the Washington Water Power Company, together with other operators of transit facilities in Spokane, established the Spokane United Railway Company and provided a unified transit network throughout the area. The electric trolley and streetcar system was maintained through the early 1930's when a gradual conversion to motor coaches extended to all routes within the metropolitan area. In 1946, transit ridership in Spokane had reached a peak of 26 million passengers per year, due in a large part to the effects of World War II and gasoline rationing.

In 1945, Washington Water Power sold its interests in the transit system to Spokane City Lines Company, a private entity, and a part of National City Lines Company. The expanded usage of the private automobile following World War II contributed to a gradual decline in transit ridership. Due to this and pressures of declining revenues, control of the publicly operated transit system was transferred to the City of Spokane in 1968, in order to obtain public funding.

Street Car Image

Initially, public funding was derived from a household tax approved by the voters. Increasing costs and a need for better funding precipitated a statewide effort to provide a more stable and responsive public funding source. Spokane voters subsequently approved a three-tenths of one percent (0.3%) retail sales tax within an expanded service area. A municipal corporation was formed in 1980, to administer mass transit services throughout a newly established Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA), with levy of the sales tax beginning in April 1981. In May of 2004, voters approved an increase in the sales tax of an additional 0.3% for a total 0.6% levied in our PTBA. This additional sales tax replaced revenue lost when the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax was repealed with the passage of Initiative 695 in 1999.

At present, Spokane Transit Authority is a regional public transportation agency, and as such provides a variety of transportation services, including fixed-route service on routes to the cities of Airway Heights, Cheney, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake, Millwood, Spokane, and Spokane Valley. These services include connections between downtown Spokane and the Spokane International Airport, major shopping malls, area colleges and universities, and Fairchild Air Force Base.

Beginning in early 1995, in a joint effort with the private sector, a shuttle service operating between The Plaza and the Arena was implemented. This special service incorporates the use of rubber tired, vintage vehicles that are complimentary to the downtown revitalization efforts currently in process.

Operations and Customer Service Committee

The Spokane Transit Operations and Customer Service Committee meets the first Wednesday of each month (except August) at 1:30 p.m. at the Southside Conference Rooms, 1229 West Boone Avenue, Spokane. All meetings are open to the public.

Members

Council Member Nancy McLaughlin
Spokane City Hall
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201

Council Member Amber Waldref
Spokane City Hall
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201

Council Member Gary Schimmels
City of Spokane Valley
11707 E. Sprague Avenue
Spokane Valley, WA 99206

Rick Jacks/Citizen
Mike Brewer/Citizen
Nan Kelly/Citizen
Ann Campeau/Citizen
David Driscoll/Citizen
Andrew Rolwes/Citizen
Tim Dompier/Empl. Rep. ATU #1015
Guy Smith/Empl. Rep. ATU #1598
Judy Cassell/Empl. Rep. AFSCME #3939

Duties of the Operations and Customer Service Committee

Approve:

Specifications for purchases exceeding $100,000

Review and recommend STA Board action on:

Scheduling and monitoring of fixed route transit, paratransit, and vanpool services
Land disposal
Equipment acquisition and disposal
Construction of facilities
Implementation, expansion, reduction, and/or alteration of routes and services (including annual service change review cycle)
Marketing strategy and promotion activities
How the ADA paratransit plan appeals process (for service denials) is working The committee will review decisions of the person or persons responsible for considering such appeals in accordance with STA's ADA paratransit plan
Establishment of rules and regulations for conducting the investigations provided for in the paratransit plan
Filling of vacancies on the committee
Other additional duties as assigned by the Board Chairperson

Citizen Advisory Committee

The Spokane Transit Citizen Advisory Committee meets the second Wednesday of each month (except August) at 5:00 p.m. in the Southside Conference Rooms, 1229 West Boone Avenue, Spokane. All meetings are open to the public.

To view the Final CAC Charter Approved by the STA Board in October 2009, click here.

To view the October 2009 signed Resolution revising the Charter, click here.

Members

Fyrne Bemiller
Susanne Croft
Will Flanigan
Victor Frazier
Charles Hansen
Resa Hayes
Ted Horobiowski
Margaret Jones
Larry Luton
Dean Lynch
Fran Papenleur
Philip Rudy

Brenda Smits*

*Chair

Citizen Advisory Committee Charter
Spokane Transit Authority

ARTICLE I – NAME OF GROUP

The name of this group shall be Spokane Transit Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC).

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

The mission of the Spokane Transit Citizen Advisory Committee, hereinafter referred to as CAC, is to:
• Increase public participation in the functions of Spokane Transit.
• Ensure accountability of the organization’s actions.
• Act as an educational arm of the organization to reach out to the public.
• Act as a focused, educated forum for public input and feedback to the organization.
• Represent a wide range of stakeholders and transit service employees.

The CAC is advisory to the Spokane Transit Board of Directors and not to the agency itself.

The CAC will represent the interests of the community and assist staff and the Board of Directors in making the region proud of its public transportation system.

ARTICLE III- SCOPE OF WORK

The CAC will:
• Assess performance of Spokane Transit.
• Examine where Spokane Transit is heading.
• Explore emerging public transportation issues.
• Assess Spokane Transit’s progress in achieving its measurable goals and objectives.
• Make recommendations, at its discretion, and present them to the Board.

When requested and for new members, Staff will provide information and orientations to CAC members in specific areas including, but not limited to, defined responsibilities and legal requirements, nomenclature, history, mission, vision, services, policies, budget, strategic communications plan, Transit Development Plan, partnerships, and community outreach practices.

ARTICLE IV – COMPOSITION

The CAC shall be composed of no more than 15 members appointed by the Spokane Transit Board of Directors. Membership shall reflect Spokane Transit’s service area and strive for broad, inclusive, regional, and diverse representation to increase the reach and effectiveness of its purpose. This is to include proponents and opponents and/or critics of public transportation

ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP SELECTION PROCESS

Selection of the members of the CAC shall be through an application process, followed by an appointment from the Board Chair subject to confirmation from the Board .

Members of the CAC must be registered voters and reside within the Spokane Transit boundaries. The residency requirement is waived if the applicant or member is a consistent user of STA’s fixed route buses, paratransit, or vanpool service.

The Board of Directors expects that the CAC members will introduce and talk about the STA in as many venues as are open to the member. To this end, during the membership selection process, weighted value will be given to those who are active participants in other area organizations.

The following list represents groups from which participation will be sought:

• Business Owners
• Chambers of Commerce
• Citizens-at-Large
• College Students
• Faith Community
• Higher Education/Administration/Faculty
• Medical Community/ Public Health
• Neighborhood Associations
• Persons with Disabilities
• Public Agencies/Law Enforcement
• Rotary, Kiwanis, Ahana, Martin Luther King and/or other Fraternal and Civic Associations
• Rural Community
• Senior Citizens
• Service Users (Fixed Route, Paratransit, Vanpool)
• Social Service Agencies
• Youth

ARTICLE VI – MEMBERSHIP ROTATION PROCESS

Annually, the CAC members will select the Chair of the CAC. An annual membership recruitment will follow. Membership recruitment and filling vacancies is an ongoing process.

As per STA bylaws, membership on the CAC is for a two-year term with at least one member appointed each year. The chair of the CAC will poll the members each May as to their desire to remain on the Citizen Advisory Committee.

Membership applications will be sent to all who have requested an application, to people suggested by CAC members, other citizens, and to groups representing the previously stated participation list.

ARTICLE VII – OPERATING GUIDELINES

The CAC will conduct its business in accordance with Washington State’s Open Public Meetings Act, RCW 42.30 and Public Disclosure Laws RCW 42.56. The CAC has adopted the following operating procedures:

• The CAC shall meet monthly except for the month of August.
• The Chair, or the Chair’s designee, will be the appointed spokesperson for the CAC.
• As designated on the Board of Directors monthly Board agenda, the CAC Chair, or a delegated CAC member, may provide the Spokane Transit Board of Directors with the CAC's input and advice.
• The CAC shall provide meeting minutes to the Clerk of the Authority to be forwarded to the Spokane Transit Board of Directors. All CAC records will be open to public review.
• A charter review will be conducted at least once every three years.
• The members of the CAC serve in a voluntary role and without salary. Travel is reimbursed according to STA Bylaws.

ARTICLE VIII – STAFFING

As authorized by the Board, the CEO shall appoint staff members to serve as the CAC Staff Liaisons. Staff shall acquire meeting facilities and equipment, record, transcribe, and distribute minutes, and distribute other materials, including the agenda. Other duties include preparation of agenda forms and attachments to communicate CAC issues and recommendations to committees and the Spokane Transit Board of Directors.

Spokane Transit Board of Directors

The Board of Directors provides the policy and legislative direction for Spokane Transit and its administrators and approves its actions, budgets and long-term plans. It also has the authority to levy taxes as authorized by state law (with voter approval).

By state law, the Board is composed of up to nine elected officials (and one non-voting STA labor representative) chosen from the jurisdictions served by the Public Transportation Benefit Area, which includes the cities of Airway Heights, Cheney, Medical Lake, Millwood, Liberty Lake, Spokane, Spokane Valley and some unincorporated portions of the county surrounding those municipalities.

Members

Click on the Board Members' names to view their personal profiles.

Commissioner Al French* Spokane County Courthouse 1116 West Broadway Avenue Spokane, WA 99260-0100	Council Member Chuck Hafner** City of Spokane Valley 11707 East Sprague Avenue, Suite 106 Spokane Valley, WA 99206
Council Member Amber Waldref Spokane City Hall 808 West Spokane Fall Blvd. Spokane, WA 99201	Council Member Gary Schimmels City of Spokane Valley 11707 East Sprague Avenue, Suite 106 Spokane Valley, WA 99206
Council Member Mike Allen Spokane City Hall 808 West Spokane Falls Blvd. Spokane, WA 99201	Council Member Nancy McLaughlin Spokane City Hall 808 West Spokane Fall Blvd. Spokane, WA 99201
Commissioner Mark Richard Spokane County Courthouse 1116 West Broadway Avenue Spokane, WA 99260-0100	Council Member Richard Schoen Millwood City Hall 9103 E. Frederick Millwood, WA 99206
Counci Member Art Kulibert City of Medical Lake P.O. Box 1210 Medical Lake, WA 99022-0369	Rhonda Bowers Labor Representative: c/o Spokane Transit 1230 West Boone Avenue Spokane, WA 99201
* Chair **Chair Pro Tempore

Please direct correspondence for Board Members to the Clerk of the Authority, Jan Watson at 325-6096.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program

The Spokane Transit Authority (hereinafter referred to as "STA"), recipient of federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration (hereinafter referred to as "FTA") is committed to a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26.

It is the intention of STA that all businesses have equal access to Spokane Transit’s contracts without discrimination and regardless of race, color, national origin or gender. Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), as defined in part 26, shall have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in the performance of work relating to all of STA's activities.To this end, STA shall take all necessary steps in accordance with 49 CFR, Part 26, and as amended, to ensure Disadvantaged Business Enterprises an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT-assisted contracts.It is STA’s policy to:

Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT assisted contracts;
Create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT assisted contracts;
Ensure that the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;
Ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs; and
Help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT assisted contracts.

In order to ensure equal participation, Spokane Transit Authority has established, and will review on an annual basis, an overall goal for participation by firms who are, in accordance with 49 CFR Part 26, socially or economically disadvantaged. Spokane Transit Authority will require that prime contractors make good faith efforts to utilize disadvantaged business enterprises and to remove obstacles to DBE participation on all procurement, construction, and consultant contracts for which federal funds are received.

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program has been established for STA and is adopted by the STA Board of Directors.The program is reviewed and updated on an annual basis.The program outlines the overall goals established by STA for the contracting year, the review and update process, and how the program is administered.To assist in administration of the program, STA has designated a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Liaison.The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Liaison is responsible for provision of technical assistance to Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms and will assist STA staff in their efforts to comply with STA's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program. Implementation of the DBE program is accorded the same priority as compliance with all other legal obligations incurred by the Spokane Transit Authority in its financial assistance agreements with the Department of Transportation.

Those disadvantaged businesses interested in receiving additional information or inclusion in STA's program, community organizations or agencies interested in giving or receiving program information, and individuals interested in giving or receiving program information are invited to contact the STA Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Liaison at the STA Administrative Office, 1230 West Boone Avenue, Spokane, Washington, 99201-2686, or telephone (509) 325-6032.

View STA’s DBE Program and Goals for fiscal year 2009.

View STA’s DBE Program and Goals for fiscal year 2010.

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2009 Public Meetings Archive

2009 Public Meetings

Below are the Spokane Transit Board of Directors and each of STA's committee meeting schedules, agendas and minutes for 2009.

Spokane Transit Board of Directors

2009 Meeting Schedule	Meeting Agenda	Approved Minutes
January 15	Agenda	Minutes
February 19	Agenda	Minutes
March 19	Agenda	Minutes
April 16	Agenda	Minutes
May 21	Agenda	Minutes w/Transcript
June 18	Agenda	Minutes
July 16	Agenda	Minutes
August/No Meeting	NA	NA
September 17	Agenda	Minutes
October 7 STA Board Budget Workshop STA Boone Southside Conference Room 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.	NA	Minutes
October 21	Agenda	Minutes
November 17 STA Board Budget Workshop STA Boone Southside Conference Room 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.	NA	Minutes
November 18	Agenda	Minutes
December 16	Agenda	Minutes

Meeting minutes are generally approved at the following month’s meeting. The Study Session meeting was eliminated following the Board meeting in March.

*NA – not available

Citizen Advisory Committee

All meetings are Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. in the Northside Conference Room (unless otherwise noted)

2009 Meeting Schedule	Agenda	Approved Minutes
January 14	Agenda	Minutes
February 11	Agenda	Minutes
March 5 Special Meeting	Agenda	Minutes
March 11	Agenda	Minutes
April 8	Agenda	Minutes
May 13 - Cancelled	NA	NA
June 10	Agenda	Minutes
July 8 - Cancelled	NA	NA
August/No Meeting	NA	NA
September 9	Agenda	Minutes
October 14	Agenda	Minutes
November 11	Agenda	Minutes
December 9	Agenda	Minutes

Meeting minutes are generally approved at the following month’s meeting.
*NA – not available

Operations and Customer Service Committee

All meetings are Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. in the Southside Conference Room, 1229 West Boone Avenue (unless otherwise noted).

2009 Meeting Schedule	Agenda	Approved Minutes
January 7	Agenda	Minutes
February 4	Agenda	Minutes
March 4	Agenda	Minutes
April 1	Agenda	Minutes
May 6	Agenda	Minutes
June 3	Agenda	Minutes
July 1	Agenda	Minutes
August/No Meeting	NA	NA
September 2	Agenda	Minutes
October 7	Agenda	Minutes
November 4	Agenda	Minutes
December 2	Agenda	Minutes

Meeting minutes are generally approved at the following month’s meeting.
*NA – not available

2008 STA Public Meeting archive, click here.

Public Meetings 2010

2010 Public Meetings

Below are the Spokane Transit Board of Directors and each of STA's committee meeting schedules, agendas and minutes for 2010.

Spokane Transit Board of Directors

Board Members

View The December 2010 Board Meeting (2 Parts): Click Part 1 Part 2

2010 Meeting Schedule	Meeting Agenda	Approved Minutes
January 20	Agenda	Minutes
February 17	Agenda	Minutes
March 12 (Executive Committee quarterly meeting)	Cancelled	NA
March 17	Agenda	Minutes
April 14 - Board Workshop on High Performance Transit Network (HPTN) and Sustainability Plan Southside Conference Room, 1229 W. Boone Ave., 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.	Agenda	Minutes
April 21	Agenda	Minutes
May 19	Agenda	Minutes
June 16	Agenda	Minutes
June 30 - Board Workshop on Comprehensive Plan		Minutes
July 21	Agenda	Minutes
August/No Meeting	NA	NA
September 10 (Executive Committee)	Agenda	NA
September 15	Agenda	Minutes
October 20	Agenda	Minutes
November 17	Agenda	Minutes
December 10 (Executive Committee)	Agenda	NA
December 15	Agenda	Minutes

To view the minutes from the October 7, 2010 STA Board Budget Workshop click here.

Meeting minutes are generally approved at the following month’s meeting. The Study Session meeting was eliminated following the Board meeting in March.

*NA – not available

Citizen Advisory Committee

CAC Members and Charter

All meetings are the second Wednesday of the month (except August) at 5:00 p.m. in the Southside Conference Room,1229 West Boone Avenue (unless otherwise noted).

2010 Meeting Schedule	Agenda	Approved Minutes
January 13	Agenda	Minutes
February 10	Agenda	Minutes
March 10	Agenda	Minutes
April 14	Agenda	Minutes
May 12	Agenda	Minutes
June 9	Agenda	Minutes
July 14	Agenda	Minutes
August/No Meeting	NA	NA
September 8	Agenda	Minutes
October 13	Agenda	Minutes
November 10	Agenda	Minutes
December 8	Agenda	NA

Meeting minutes are generally approved at the following month’s meeting.
*NA – not available

Operations and Customer Service Committee

Committee Members and Duties

Now recruiting for new positions: Contact Jan Watson, Clerk of the Authority, at (509) 325-6096.

All meetings are Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. in the Southside Conference Room, 1229 West Boone Avenue (unless otherwise noted).

2010 Meeting Schedule	Agenda	Approved Minutes
January 6	Agenda	Minutes
February 3	Agenda	Minutes
March 3	Agenda	Minutes
April 7	Agenda	Minutes
May 5	Agenda	Minutes
June 2	Agenda	Minutes
July 7	Agenda	Minutes
August/No Meeting	NA	NA
September 1	Agenda	Minutes
October 6	Agenda	Minutes
November 3	Agenda	Minutes
December 1	Agenda	Minutes

Meeting minutes are generally approved at the following month’s meeting.
*NA – not available

2009 STA Public Meeting archive, click here.

2008 STA Public Meeting archive, click here.

STA Organizational Information

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Financial Information

The Adopted 2012 Operating and Capital Budget can be viewed here.

Supplemental Information for the 2012 Budget can be viewed here.

The 2011 Operating and Capital Budgets can be viewed here.

The Spokane Transit 2010 Operating, Capital and Staffing Budget can be viewed here.

The Spokane Transit 2009 Operating, Capital and Staffing Budget can be viewed here.

STA's 2008 Operating, Capital and Staffing Budget can be viewed here.

Planning Initiatives

Comprehensive Plan

What could public transportation look like in our region in the near and distant future? Read More...

High Performance Transit Network

STA is developing long-term plans for a regional public transportation system defined by a network of corridors and offering optimal services. The term STA uses to describe this this progressive method of public transportation is High Performance Transit Network. Read More...

Central City Transit Alternatives Analysis

The City of Spokane and Spokane Transit Authority have completed a Central City Transit Alternatives Analysis. Read More...

Transit Development Plan

Find out more about STA's Transit Development Plan. Read More...

2012-2014 Service Implementation Plan

STA's annual Service Implementation Plan documents route performance and identifies pending and potential changes and improvements in fixed-route bus service. Read More...

Route Performance Report

As a snapshot of the system and individual routes, this report is an essential tool for evaluating and planning for improvements in transit service.Read More...

Planning Initiatives Archive

A recent record of STA planning inititiatives.Read More...

What’s New

STA Moving Forward: Open House

STA Plaza: Wednesday, May 16, Second Floor Rotunda 4-6:00 p.m. Come join the conversation with STA, SRTC & The City of Spokane as we begin to plan the High Performance Transit Network of the future.Read More...

Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade

The Jefferson Park & Ride lot will be closed May 18-20 and on Saturday, May 19, many changes in bus service will occur during the Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade.Read More...

STA Board Meetings: Moving to Boone Facility

Beginning May 17, 2012, STA Board meetings will be moved to the third Thursday of the month at the STA Boardroom, 1229 W. Boone Ave, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon.Read More...

Service Changes: May 20, 2012

Effective May 20, 2012, STA is making adjustments to improve reliability and route connections to the Cheney routes. Three other routes also have minor changes.Read More...

Driven to Excellence - A Progress Report

See how STA is working to fulfill its dual responsibilities to customers and taxpayers in the 2011 Progress Report.Read More...

Summer Construction Projects to Cause Detours

Check the Rider Alert status on your route as listed below to see if it is currently on detour.Read More...

Downtown Shuttles Replaced With Hybrids

You can read about the new Hybrid Shuttles in a Spokesman-Review article published in December, 2009. Click the link below:

Shuttles are green indeed, Mike Prager, Spokesman Review

Downtown Hybrid Shuttle

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You agree to refrain from activity that imposes an unreasonable burden on the Site, and we reserve the right, in our discretion, to limit the order quantity on any item and /or to refuse service to any customer who violates these provisions. You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless STA and its officers, directors, and employees from and against all fines, suits, proceedings, claims, causes of action, demands, or liabilities of any kind or of any nature arising out of or in connection with your unauthorized use of the Site or Content, should you use this Site or Content in a manner that is contrary to these Terms Of Use.

Severability and Waiver
The invalidity of any term or provision of these Terms will not affect the validity of any other provision. Waiver by STA of strict performances of any provision of these Terms will not be a waiver of or prejudice STA’s right to require strict performance of the same provision in the future or of any other provision of these Terms.

Choice of Law and Jurisdiction
This Site is controlled and operated by the STA from its location in Spokane, Washington. These Terms shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington, without regard to any conflict of law provisions. Any dispute arising under these Terms shall be resolved exclusively by the state or federal courts sitting in Spokane County, Washington.

Entire Agreement
These Terms constitute the entire agreement between the parties as to their subject matter, and there are no other terms, conditions or obligations between the parties relating to the use of the Site, other than those contained in these Terms.

Questions or Concerns
If you have any questions or concerns about these Terms or use of this Site, please write to us at STA, West 1230 Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA, 99201, Attention: Customer Service.

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Central City Transit Alternatives Analysis

Central City Transit Alternatives Analysis
The City of Spokane and Spokane Transit Authority have completed a Central City Transit Alternatives Analysis. The purpose is to identify ways to enhance connectivity between key destinations.

The Process Summary Report on the Spokane Central City Transit Alternatives Analysis may be viewed here.

To view an overview of the Central City Project (2012), click here.

To see the historical perspective of the project, click here.

September 2010 Service Reductions Draft Recommendation

Spokane Transit has recommended several service reductions and route modifications in order to reduce operating costs. This action is being taken in response to a significant decline in local sales tax revenue, STA’s primary funding source. If approved, the proposed service changes will go into effect in September, 2010. The Draft Recommendations have been developed following extensive public input on a preliminary proposal released to the public in February, 2010.

To view a summary of the Draft Recommendations click here.

To view the complete Draft Recommendation as presented to the STA Board of Directors, click here.

A Public Hearing on the Draft Recommendation will take place on Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at 5:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, 808 W. Spokane Falls Boulevard.

Written comments will be accepted through May 20. Please send to:

Attn: Molly Myers, Communications Manager
Spokane Transit Authority
1230 W Boone Ave
Spokane, WA 99201

To view details of the original preliminary proposal, click here.

High Performance Transit Network

A High Performance Transit Network (HPT Network) is a series of local and regional transportation corridors offering frequent, reliable, all day mass transit service. As a whole, the HPT provides a higher level of mobility, allowing customers greater access to the public transportation system and the ability to reach more destinations.

One main goal of the HPT is to establish a high level of connectivity. As always, bus, Paratransit and Vanpool services are provided, but will operate with enhanced efficiency.

What will public transportation look like in the next 5, 10, and 25 years?

The vision for HPT will be defined in the Comprehensive Plan, a living document and planning tool that guides our decisions in preparing for the future while meeting the needs of today. To learn more about the Comprehensive Plan, click here.

To view a map of the HPT Network Plan, as adopted by the STA Board of Directors, click here.

To view the characteristics of the various types of service that may be available in a High Performance Transit Network, click here.

Stop Consolidation Plan

• What is the stop consolidation project?

The Stop Consolidation Project involves a comprehensive look at the current placement of bus stops and transit amenities for frequent service routes. The project evaluates what stops should remain, what stops should be removed and what passenger amenities should be included at high ridership bus stops.

• Why are we consolidating the number of bus stops?

In December 2009 the Spokane Transit Board of Directors adopted the Service Design Guidelines. In part, these guidelines include a Stop Spacing and Placement policy which states stops should generally be no closer than 800 feet, no further than 1500 feet, and on average, a quarter mile apart. Stop consolidation will enable Spokane Transit Authority (STA) to:

Improve travel speeds for Fixed Route buses
Reduce travel time for passengers onboard Fixed Route buses
Allow more bus stops to be placed near crosswalks and signalized intersections
Reduce maintenance costs attributed to frequent stopping and starting of Fixed Route buses

• What routes will be affected?

The following routes have proposed stop plans for public comment. Please click the links to view maps of the routes with their associated stop changes as proposed.

In addition to the maps available on the website, customers may contact our hotline at (509) 343-1653 to request a copy of the materials regarding the Stop Consolidation Project.

• How can I give my input?

By contacting Mike Hynes - Transit Planner at (509) 325-6059 or via email at mhynes@spokanetransit.com.

• When will the changes be made?

STA will evaluate the public comments and recommendations received and incorporate any necessary changes into the final Stop Consolidation Plan. All changes will be effective on or before Sunday, September 19, 2010.

• Will you look at other routes in the future?

STA strives to continually improve service for the rider and operate in a more efficient manner. As such, additional routes will be considered for Stop Consolidation over the next several years. As with this current Stop Consolidation Project, STA will seek public comment prior to making significant changes to bus stops along each route.

Advertising

Spokane Transit contracts with an external vendor for the advertising on the sides and inside of buses. There is no advertising on Paratransit vans or Vanpool vans.

Local contact information for advertising is provided below.

ooh media

Contact:

Ted Carroll, 509-951-8305

Website: http://oohmediaspokane.com/

Standards and Restrictions

Follow this link to view the Spokane Transit Vehicle Advertising Policy with definitions for Standards and Restrictions.

Bus Benches: Bus benches are not owned or maintained by Spokane Transit.

Bidding Opportunities

There are no bidding opportunities at this time.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

For information about Spokane Transit's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, click here.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Overview of STA

What services does Spokane Transit provide?

How many vehicles make up Spokane Transit's fleet?

Who rides Spokane Transit?

When was Spokane Transit established?

What is the Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA)?

What is the Board of Directors' authority?

What is the Composition of the Board of Directors?

How are Board Members Appointed?

What is the Make-up of STA’s Workforce?

What is Spokane Transit’s estimated 2008 operating budget?

Where are STA's Park & Ride lots located?

What is larger text view?

Can STA take me to the airport?

Need to Contact Us?

Don't see the question you're looking for?

Overview of STA | Top

Spokane Transit Authority (STA) is a municipal corporation formed in 1981 when voters approved the establishment of the Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA). The PTBA is 248 square miles and includes 85% of Spokane County’s population.
Spokane Transit Authority (STA) is a municipal corporation formed in 1981 when voters approved the establishment of the Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA). A nine-member regional Board of Directors governs Spokane Transit. E. Susan Meyer is the Chief Executive Officer responsible for overseeing Fixed Route, Paratransit and Vanpool operations.

STA employes 544 individuals, with 71% working in fixed route (bus), 16% in Paratransit and Vanpool and 13% in Administration.

In 2009, STA provided 11,100,000 bus rides.

What services does Spokane Transit provide? | Top

Spokane Transit provides Fixed Route bus service on 38 different routes with 156 buses, 22 of which are hybrid (diesel-electric) vehicles.

STA’s Paratransit Service provides shared-ride, wheelchair accessible transportation for ADA eligible persons who are unable to use regular lift-equipped buses.

Vanpool is an STA service that groups commuters together to share the ride and expense of commuting to work in an STA van.

Mobility Training is a free STA program that helps seniors and persons with disabilities gain more independence by learning to ride the bus.

How Many Vehicles Make Up Spokane Transit’s Fleet? | Top

The 2010 fleet:

      Fixed Route Bus
      Diesel Buses (127)
      61-Foot Buses (10)
      Hybrid Buses (22)
      Vans (7)

    Paratransit
      Vans (70)
      Vans under contract with
      First Transit (42)

Vanpool
Vans (88)

Who Rides Spokane Transit? | Top

Ridership is evenly split between males and females.

The majority of riders are between the ages of 19 and 34.

Most riders use the bus five days a week and have ridden for three years.

Our riders: 33% students, 46% employed, 11% unemployed, 10% retired or homemakers.

Sixty-eight percent of riders would not have regular transportation without STA.

When was Spokane Transit established? | Top

Spokane area voters approved the formation of a public transportation benefit area in 1981.

What is the Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA)? | Top

Much like a fire or school district, the PTBA is a special taxing district established by Washington State for the purpose of providing public transportation. Spokane Transit is the provider of public transportation services within the PTBA and is considered a municipal corporation.

The PTBA serves urbanized areas in Spokane County, encompasses approximately 248 square miles and includes 85% of Spokane County's population.

What is the Board of Directors' Authority? | Top

The Board of Directors provides legislative direction for STA and its administrators and approves its policies, budgets and long-term plans. The Board has the authority to levy sales taxes with voter approval up to 0.9%. The current tax is 0.6%.

What is the Composition of the Board of Directors? | Top

By state law, the Board is composed of a maximum of nine elected officials from the jurisdictions in the PTBA. These include Spokane County and the cities of Airway Heights, Cheney, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake, Spokane, Spokane Valley and Millwood. A non-voting Labor Representative also serves on the STA Board.

How are Board Members Appointed? | Top

Each city’s governing body and the Spokane County Commissioners appoint elected officials to serve on the STA Board.

What is the Make-up of STA’s Workforce? | Top

STA employs 544 individuals. The fixed route bus division accounts for 71% of the employees. Sixteen percent work in Paratransit and Vanpool and 13% of STA’s employees are in administrative positions.

E. Susan Meyer has been the Chief Executive Officer of Spokane Transit since June 2005.

Approximately 84% of Spokane Transit’s employees are represented by unions. Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1015, is the largest union and represents fixed route bus drivers, mechanics, facility workers, customer service and some clerical positions.

AFSCME, Local 3939, represents all Paratransit operating positions.

Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1598, represents fixed route and Paratransit supervisors.

What was Spokane Transit’s Estimated 2011 Operating Budget? | Top

Click here to view STA's estimated operating budget for 2011.

Where are STA's Park & Ride lots located? | Top

STA offers 10 Park and Ride lots throughout the region. Find the one that best meets your commuting needs:

North Spokane:

Ash Street & Five Mile Road

Hastings Road & Mayfair Road

South Spokane:

East 24th Avenue & Grand Blvd.

Southeast Boulevard & 31st Avenue

Downtown Spokane:

Jefferson Street & 4th Avenue

Arena/City Ticket Parking at 433 W. Boone Avenue

Cheney:

K Street & 1st Street

Spokane Valley:

4th Avenue & University Road

Mirabeau Parkway at 13209 East Indiana Avenue

Liberty Lake:

Mission Avenue & Country Vista Blvd.

What is Enlarged text view? | Top

This viewing option gives the user a choice on how they would like to view the STA website. The "Normal View," and the "Larger Text" (also visually reduced) contain the same content. "Larger Text" removes some graphics and increases the font size of most text. Try it out - you can always switch back by selecting "Normal View."

Can STA take me to the airport?| Top

Yes, service to the airport is available on Route #60. To view the full schedule click here.

Need to Contact Us? | Top

Route and Schedule Information

Call Center - 328-RIDE (7433), TTY 232-6555
Hours: Mon - Fri - 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays - 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sundays - 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Customer Service Center

The Bus Shop (Passes, IDs, lost & found)
The Plaza
701 West Riverside Avenue
Spokane, WA 99201
456-PASS (7277)
Hours: Mon - Fri - 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays - noon to 5:00 p.m.
*Closed Sundays and Holidays

Ombudsman and Accessibility Officer

Susan Millbank
smillbank@spokanetransit.com
Spokane Transit
1230 West Boone Avenue
Spokane, WA 99201
325-6094, TTY 232-6555

Paratransit Service

Information and reservations: 328-1552, TTY 327-6055
Open seven days a week, including holidays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Vanpool Program

326-POOL (7665), TTY 456-4327

Administration

West 1230 Boone Avenue
Spokane, WA 99201
325-6000