The secret is out about Spokane. The New York Times has covered the thousands of people moving to the Lilac City. As the home of the largest urban waterfall in the U.S., a metal goat that eats your trash, the only Chili’s in Washington State (outside of Sea-Tac), a great advocacy community led by Spokane Reimagined, and plenty of warm, welcoming folks, Spokane has a lot to offer.
Urbanist readers may know Spokane for getting rid of parking mandates and for allowing for more missing middle housing before House Bill 1110 passed statewide. But some folks might not be aware of Spokane’s highly effective transit agency, which gave the 2nd highest number of fixed route bus rides in the state, behind only King County Metro, while doing so at the lowest cost per passenger in the state when compared with other urban transit agencies. Spokane taxpayers are getting bang for their buck, and Spokane Transit Authority is seen as a model for mid-sized transit agencies across the country.
Now, voters in Spokane County have an opportunity to fund their mighty transit service with a 0.2% sales tax renewal on their August 4th ballot. Since the previous ballot measure passed in 2016, Spokane has added more frequent routes, increased bus service by 35%, launched the City Line Bus Rapid Transit, enacted tap-to-pay years before agencies west of the mountains, and made transit free for everyone under the age of 19. Because of that, ridership is up on bus routes across Spokane, recovering and surpassing pre-pandemic ridership.
That’s why the Yes for Buses campaign is encouraging Spokane voters to renew a sales tax that helps fund Spokane Transit Authority for the next 20 years by voting Yes on STA Proposition 1. This is not a tax increase. It commits the region to supporting STA for the next two decades and provides the funding to implement their Connect 2035 plan.
On top of funding fixed route, paratransit, and vanpool services, with this funding, STA will be able to leverage an $80 million federal grant to build bus rapid transit on Division Street, and transform a WSDOT-owned main street highway that is the busiest street in the City.
STA connects people to jobs, doctors appointments, groceries, social services, and school. It puts opportunity within reach of more people, and gives them a way to get out of traffic and enjoy cleaner air.
I recently joined a canvassing kick off with the Yes for Buses campaign that knocked on over 1,000 doors. We heard just how important STA is to helping folks get around.
I heard from Linda, who had spinal fusion surgery in 2021, how STA’s paratransit services allow her to have autonomy and get to her doctor’s appointments.
I heard from Tatiana, whose car got totaled and who needed to rely on Route 94 to get to work.
I heard from Betsy, who started riding the bus while working at the 1974 World’s Fair in Spokane and just never stopped. The bus allows her to be active in her gardening club and see her friends regularly.
For them and so many more that rely on the bus, we need to keep Spokane Transit Authority rolling. Now isn’t the time to cut back on these investments. That would mean longer waits for the bus at the end of a long shift for warehouse workers. It would mean bus service would end before the workday does. It would mean more trips to the pump. It would mean less reliable access to medical appointments and social services.
That’s why it’s so important to pass STA Prop 1 on the August ballot. If you’re feeling inspired, we could use your help. There are lots of ways you can get involved in the campaign. Join a canvass to talk with voters, hop on a phone bank from anywhere, textbank when ballots drop, or donate to support the campaign.
Spokane is a special place with a lot of great hardworking people who depend on a well functioning transit system to meet their transportation needs. Let’s make sure Spokane Transit Authority can keep delivering for them.
Holden Minor Ringer is the Advocacy Manager at Transportation Choices Coalition. In 2023 and 2024, Holden walked across the United States through 20 states while helping to raise awareness about walkability challenges. In his spare time, Holden organizes The Seattle Super Saunter and other long walks that build community.
Anthony Gill
Anthony Gill
