Division Street Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
A New Vision for Transit in the Region's Busiest Corridor
One of the busiest streets in Spokane, Division Street is the main north-south roadway connecting communities between downtown and the “Y” in north Spokane. Every day, more than 50,000 vehicles travel on Division Street, with close to 3,000 people riding STA buses.
STA currently operates the Route 25 bus along Division Street between downtown Spokane and Hastings Park & Ride, carrying nearly one million passengers each year – the second highest ridership of any route in the system.
Division Street BRT will convert the existing Route 25 to bus rapid transit service, with new stations and roadway modifications that will provide faster and more reliable zero-emission bus service.
STA Route 25 bus: Google Streetview
Division Street BRT concept drawing displaying BAT lane: DivisionConnects Project Team
Project Background and History
In late 2019, STA and the Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC), in partnership with the City of Spokane, Spokane County, and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), led a study to look at how the current Division Street corridor could be improved and enhanced. The study, called DivisionConnects, looked at transportation and land use in the Division Street corridor. Phase 1 involved engaging the public widely and performing an in-depth analysis of BRT and Division corridor. Using the results of this evaluation along with input from panel members from the STA and SRTC boards, the Board of Directors of STA and SRTC adopted a locally preferred alternative for an approximately nine-mile BRT route in the Division Street corridor.
DivisionConnects project excerpts: DivisionConnects Project Team
Building on the findings from DivisionConnects, STA began preliminary design and engineering for Division Street BRT in early 2022.
Past Milestones:
- 2019: In late 2019, SRTC and STA, in partnership with the City of Spokane, Spokane County, and WSDOT, led a study to look at how the current Division Street Corridor could be improved and enhanced.
- 2021: Phase I of DivisionConnects adopted, selecting the locally preferred alternative for the Division Street BRT project.
- 2022:
- The US Department of Transportation awarded STA a $405,000 grant to support Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) planning work to be undertaken by City of Spokane and Spokane County.
- Phase 2 of DivisionConnects is completed.
- STA begins preliminary engineering and design phase of Division Street BRT project.
Locally Preferred Alternative
The LPA is the vision for future BRT service, identifying the route for future BRT service, with one end in downtown Spokane and the other in north Spokane, near the North Spokane Corridor (NSC).
A locally preferred alternative, or LPA, is a preferred transit vehicle and route that best meets the needs of the corridor.
The first phase of the DivisionConnects study focused on identifying the LPA for the Division Street Corridor.
Division Street BRT LPA cross sections: DivisionConnects Project Team
In 2021, the LPA was adopted by the STA Board of Directors. It included six key elements:
- Proposed Route: The Division Street BRT route will begin in downtown Spokane and run to an area near the North Spokane Corridor.
- Roadway cross sections.
- Station Locations between the Spokane River and the Y.
- Service Schedules: Division Street BRT buses will arrive every 10 minutes or better on weekdays and every 15 minutes during most nights and weekends.
- BAT Lanes: Division Street BRT will convert one existing general-purpose lane in each direction to a business access and transit (BAT) lane between North River Drive and the “Y.”
- Buses: Division Street BRT will use zero-emission 60-foot buses.
STA anticipates Division Street BRT will operate in BAT lanes, facilitating a quick transit experience. BAT lanes are designated for use by buses and vehicles making right turns in and out of businesses and at intersections.
Division Street BRT concept drawing displaying BAT lane: DivisionConnects Project Team
Division Street BRT: LPA route and station locations: Division Street BRT Project Team
Note: Protected bicycle lanes on Ruby Street as well as improvements for pedestrians, ADA accessibility, and bicycles were identified for future evaluation. Selection of routing south of the Spokane River and north of the Y was not included with adoption of the LPA
Benefits of BRT
Bus rapid transit (BRT) is a public transportation system that provides faster and more reliable transit service than traditional buses. BRT includes distinct stations with enhanced passenger amenities including pay-before-you-board-technology, real-time bus arrival information, and raised platforms to make getting on and off the bus faster and easier. BRT buses arrive more frequently, so riders can just show up and go without needing to check a schedule. Zero-emission buses would help improve air quality and provide a smoother ride.
BAT lane concept drawing displaying right-turning vehicles
What makes BRT faster?
BAT lanes: BRT buses often travel in special lanes designed to help them travel faster. This can include business access and transit(BAT) lanes, which are designated for buses and vehicles making right turns at intersections or to and from businesses. BAT lanes are less congested by design, allowing buses to travel more quickly along the corridor and stay on schedule.
Example BRT station and amenities: Community Transit
Example BRT bus and station: Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
Fewer stops: BRT buses generally make fewer stops, speeding up trips.
Transit signal priority: When a BRT bus arrives at an intersection, it can provide advanced notice to traffic signals to either extend a green light to allow the bus to keep going or shorten a red light to minimize delays.
Faster passenger boarding: Paying fares ahead of time and having multiple doors for riders to enter or exit significantly shortens the amount of time a BRT bus is stopped at a station. At BRT stations, raised platforms nearly level to the floor of the BRT bus increase accessibility for riders with strollers, carts, or mobility devices to board and alight from any door without needing a ramp. That said, all BRT buses will continue to have front door ramps to provide access for any person who needs it to enter and exit the bus. BRT would also provide benefits to the region like improved air quality, transportation equity, and reduced traffic congestion.
Example BRT station and amenities: Valley Transportation Authority
City Line station: Spokane Transit
BRT in Spokane
While BRT is a new level of transit service in Spokane, the Division Street BRT project will be the second of its kind in the region. CityLine, traveling east and west across central Spokane from Browne’s Addition to Spokane Community College, will begin service in July 2023.
Find out more about City Line here.
Timeline
Past Milestones:
2019: SRTC and STA organize partnership to conduct DivisionConnects study, involving WSDOT, City of Spokane, and Spokane County.
2021: Phase I of DivisionConnects adopted, selecting the preferred alternative for the Division Street BRT project.
2022: STA awarded $405,000 to support TOD planning work to be undertaken by City of Spokane and Spokane County.
STA begins preliminary engineering and design phase of Division Street BRT project.
Phase 2 of DivisionConnects is completed.
Common questions
The North Spokane Corridor (NSC) is a 10.5-mile multimodal corridor that will connect I-90 in the south to US 2 and US 395 in the north. Located approximately 2.3 miles east of Division Street, it will become the primary north-south route between north Spokane and I-90. Regional travelers are expected to shift from Division Street to the NSC, changing traffic patterns and improving access for local trips.
The NSC will free up roadway space that can be used to make improvements to support BRT service, including the addition of BAT lanes to Division Street. Once completed, the NSC will become the primary north-south route between north Spokane and Interstate 90. Much of the traffic that currently uses Division Street is expected to shift to the NSC, reducing the number of cars and congestion on Division Street and allowing for roadway changes that can help to facilitate faster and more reliable bus service.
Provided that preliminary engineering work is completed, construction work is expected to begin between 2023 and 2024. Construction is expected to last 4-5 years. Provided that all decisions are made and approved, and funding is received, construction is expected to be completed by 2029. More details about the timeline and plans for construction will be shared as they are developed.
The DivisionConnects study identified several ways to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists that want to access BRT service. STA is working with project partners to identify bicycle and pedestrian facilities along Ruby Street and throughout the Corridor.
There are many ways that Division Street BRT buses will be faster than the current bus system:
- BAT lanes: Division Street BRT buses will travel in business access and transit (BAT) lanes, which are designated for buses and vehicles making right turns at intersections or to and from businesses, for the majority of the route. BAT lanes are less congested by design, allowing buses to travel more quickly along the corridor and stay on schedule.
- Fewer stops: BRT buses generally make fewer stops, speeding up trips.
- Faster passenger boarding: Paying fares ahead of time and having multiple doors for riders to enter or exit significantly shortens the amount of time a BRT bus is stopped at a station.
- Raised platforms: At BRT stations, raised platforms nearly level to the floor of the BRT bus increase accessibility for riders with strollers, carts, or mobility devices to board and alight from any door without needing a ramp. That said, all BRT buses will continue to have front door ramps to provide access for any person who needs it to enter and exit the bus.
In addition to routing and stations, STA is working with the City of Spokane, Spokane County, WSDOT, and other project partners to identify layover areas in or near downtown where buses can park so drivers can take breaks between trips. Buses will layover at the northern and southern ends of the route. Layover locations will be identified in Spring 2023.
Buses are planned to run every 10-minutes during weekdays and every 15 minutes at nights and on weekends.
BRT stations will be located at major intersections and near destinations. Preliminary station locations were identified with the adoption of the Locally Preferred Alternative for Division Street BRT. Final station locations will be determined and presented in Spring 2023.
Division Street BRT will run along Division Street and Ruby Street from North River Drive to the Cleveland Avenue and on Division Street from Cleveland Avenue to the Y. Routing through downtown Spokane and north of the Y will be determined in Spring 2023.
A project of this magnitude requires constant collaboration and feedback sharing opportunities to ensure its success. Five partner agencies are coordinating and providing direction and insights to this project:
- Spokane Transit Authority (STA)
- Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC)
- City of Spokane
- Spokane County
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
One of the busiest streets in Spokane, Division Street is the main north-south roadway connecting communities between downtown and the “Y” in north Spokane.
Every day, more than 50,000 vehicles travel on Division Street, with close to 3,000 people riding STA buses. STA currently operates the Route 25 bus along Division St between downtown Spokane and Hastings Park and Ride, carrying nearly one million passengers each year – the second highest ridership of any route in the system.