FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What services does Spokane Transit provide?
How many vehicles make up Spokane Transit's fleet?
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?
Can STA take me to the airport?
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 employs 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 (90)
61-Foot Articulated Diesel Buses (13)
Hybrid Buses (25)
Paratransit
Vans (70)
Vans under contract with MV (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
