The first two of seven double-decker buses arrived at STA on December 23 with five more expected in early February. The buses will begin serving Routes 6 and 66, connecting Spokane and Cheney, and are anticipated to be in service by September 2025.

The double-decker buses are a key component of the Cheney High Performance Transit (HPT) corridor identified in the STA Moving Forward strategic plan, for which voters approved funding in 2016. The plan calls for enhanced buses and more capacity on the corridor to meet growing mobility needs on the West Plains. It also calls for upgraded transit facilities, enhanced shelters, and passenger amenities. These buses are the final element of the HPT Cheney Line, which include the new Eagle Station on Eastern Washington University’s campus and the West Plains Transit Center, serving as a vital connection point for West Plains riders. Over the coming months, STA will focus on testing and driver training to ensure smooth integration into operations. 

Planning work that was conducted in 2019 and completed in 2020 evaluated “enhanced bus” options and singled out the double-decker bus option as preferred. The Corridor Infrastructure and Alignment Plan, adopted by the STA Board, also laid out the general schedule and location of enhanced stops and stations. The service structure was revised in September 2021 with the advent of Route 6 to complement the existing Route 66. Between 2021 and 2024, STA improved various stations and stops along the corridor. The double deckers will enhance the capacity and reliability of the corridor as originally envisioned in STA Moving Forward.

“Everyone’s excited. We’ve been getting many comments on the double deckers,” said Carly Cortright, STA Chief Communications & Customer Service Officer. “I’ll take this opportunity to point out that the buses are 13 feet and 6 inches tall, and they’ll be going under the Jefferson viaduct, which has over 14 feet of clearance. So no need to worry about stuck buses!”