Spokane, WA – Spokane Transit Authority (STA) is launching Opportunity, a pilot program offering a reduced fare that is designed to enhance transportation access for low-income individuals across the region. The pilot program will last for up to two years, or until a $1.14 million funding cap is reached, as approved by the STA Board of Directors in July 2025. The pilot program is an initiative within STA’s Connect 2035 strategic plan adopted in 2024.
Opportunity joins STA’s other reduced fare options for seniors, disabled individuals, and military personnel, and provides eligible riders a discounted fare of $1, half off the standard fare of $2. Opportunity supports community members who rely on affordable, reliable transportation for work, school, medical appointments, and other essential daily needs. Opportunity riders will receive fare-capping benefits when they use STA’s Connect card, ensuring they never spend more than $2 a day or $30 a month for unlimited rides, in line with other reduced fare programs.
Individuals will need to verify eligibility before enrolling in Opportunity. Opportunity riders must have an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Eligibility is verified through enrollment in the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Basic Food program. Enrollees will need to recertify their eligibility on an annual basis.
“The Opportunity pilot program is one of the ways we are demonstrating our responsiveness to community input,” said Karl Otterstrom, STA CEO. “During our years-long strategic planning efforts, many stakeholders expressed interest in seeing STA offer reduced fares for low-income residents. Implementing Opportunity as a pilot program enables us to measure the potential rider and community benefits while remaining fiscally responsible, ensuring we can continue to deliver on our mission to provide safe, inclusive, convenient, and efficient public transportation services to Spokane area communities.”
To enroll, riders can apply online at spokanetransit.com/reducedfare or in person at the STA Plaza Customer Service Counter at 701 W Riverside. Customer Service is open Mondays through Fridays, 7 AM to 7 PM, and Saturdays, 12 PM to 5 PM. Individuals are encouraged to review all available reduced fare options to ensure they apply for the program that is the best fit for them.
For more information about the Opportunity fare, eligibility requirements, or how to apply, visit spokanetransit.com/opportunity or contact STA Customer Service at 509-328-RIDE.
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Spokane Transit provides public transportation services through fixed route (bus) service, Paratransit service, and Rideshare to the cities of Airway Heights, Cheney, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake, Millwood, Spokane, Spokane Valley, and parts of the unincorporated County.
The organization employs nearly 775 people and is overseen by a 14-member regional board: nine voting elected officials from jurisdictions within the Public Transportation Benefit Area, four non-voting elected officials from area small cities, and a non-voting labor representative.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Carly Cortright, Chief Communications & Customer Service Officer
Email: [email protected]
Office: (509) 344-1879 • Cell: (509) 768-3782
