How's the transit in Spokane? (Seattle, Vancouver: house, live, buses)

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Hi folks!
Spokane is on a short list of places I may move in 1.5 years. Wherever I move, a requirement will be the ability to get around town via transit and/or bike.

The bike paths and lanes seem well established in Spokane based on this message board - So how is the bus system? Are the routes smart or will the average rider smack himself in the head and shriek "WHAT ON EARTH WERE THEY THINKING WHEN THEY DREW THIS ROUTE???? (as I do every time I get on a bus here in Baltimore ).

Also, I read on Spokane's Wikipedia page that a light rail route was planned but shelved. Any thoughts/news on this?

Thanks for all your help and enjoy your snow!

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Wow, big response to my post! Is the fact that nobody has responded indicitive of the state of transit in Spokane in that nobody rides?!?

[WendyK]

sorry HandsUp, but I drive everywhere I need to go. I know the bus system is pretty extensive within the county, but I have no personal experience with using the system. You have probably already checked this but here's the STA website with info on their services. Spokane Transit Authority (STA): Home Page
I know that with the recent snow, some of the STA routes have been changed or cancelled until the buses are better able to navigate some of the hills & tougher roads.

[kena]

I think the bus system does a pretty good job in general. They have seen record ridership in each of the past few months and (after getting past a debacle over their downtown hub) the system has been supported by users and taxpayers. Spokane, like many western cities, is certainly a car city but the bus is typically clean, affordable and reasonably well routed. Light rail hasn't gone away for good, I think we'll see another shot at it in the next few years.

You may also want to check this link which has good info on transit in Spokane: Spokane Regional Transportation Council- Home Page

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Hey thanks a lot!! Maybe I'll see you folks in a couple of years.

[david33]

I want to know about Electric Trolleybus system in Spokane area, so tell me more about Spokane with ETB. I am a 100% Electric Trolleybus system supporter along with Streetcar and Light Rail both works fine. Let support electric trolleybus system! I pray for Spokane should install electric trolleybus are a model for efforts to reduce the pollution that automobiles generate. Also, Electric Trolleybus are zero emission uses in Seattle, Vancouver, BC, and other cities in East Coast, and San F. Thank you for helping! David

[2lizards]

I ride the STA busses a fair amount. I came here from Knoxville, and the bus system is far superior here (which isn't a difficult task, I'm afraid). The morning commute is quick, easy and pleasant, for the most part. I find, however, that the afternoon return takes about twice as long as my morning commute. This is really because of the routes I take. The bus between my house and the plaza downtown only runs twice an hour. The second route I take runs every fifteen minutes, but it is often running late in the afternoon. That usually means I miss my connection at the plaza and have to wait 20 mins or more to get the next bus. Overall, it's a decent system, especially if you live closer in to downtown.

[LM1313]

The bus system is excellent, the routes are very thorough in covering the city. Most buses run every half hour, a couple run every 15 minutes. (They run less on the weekends.)

[fractured_kidult]

Yes the STA is great. I have used now for about 5 years.