Sta Proposing New Routes Plan Includes Quicker North-South And Valley Loop Routes

North Side bus riders could be getting faster and more frequent service under a proposal to revamp routes throughout Spokane.

But in exchange, the Spokane Transit Authority would cut some of its neighborhood loop routes.

The proposal is the first big reorganization of STA routes in 16 years, said STA Director Allen Schweim.

STA is seeking public comment on the proposal, and top officials said they expect changes in the final plan after they hear from the public.

The switch probably won’t occur until a year from now.

“We want to try to compete more effectively with the automobile,” Schweim said.

That means moving passengers more quickly and giving better service to major destinations such as the colleges, the airport and shopping centers.

STA is paying $125,000 to a Portland consultant to design the new bus plan.

Pamphlets with questionnaires are available at The Plaza and other locations.

Schweim said the plan also emphasizes moving people to and from work more quickly and providing cross-town service throughout the urban area.

For example, the Portland firm observed that with just a single crosstown route along Wellesley, “some routes are very circuitous.

“The single crosstown line provides transfer opportunities without traversing downtown Spokane but does not fully cover north Spokane crosstown travel demands,” the report said.

The report said that next to downtown, north Spokane receives the highest volume of bus riders.

The STA also wants to start a new city loop route to more easily connect riders trying to get from the North Side to the South Hill and Valley.

The loop route would connect to the North Side and NorthTown via Wellesley. It would provide direct service between the two community colleges and link the colleges to neighborhoods and downtown.

Buses would travel every 15 minutes in each direction on the city loop. Two-way 15-minute service will also begin on East Sprague Avenue. The city loop would replace all of Route 15 on the North Side.

Direct service to the Valley Transit Center, now provided once an hour by Route 15, would be terminated.

Instead, the new loop line would connect with Route 9 at Sprague and Havana, providing a connection every 15 minutes from north Spokane to the Valley instead of once every hour.

The STA is also considering merging Route 1 (North Nevada) and Route 5 (North Standard) into one line offering 15-minute service all day as far north as Francis.

Few changes are proposed for Route 6, which serves North Division.

Theresa Steuckle, spokeswoman for STA, said the changes may force some riders to walk farther to catch buses.

“Are you willing to walk a couple extra blocks to get faster service?” she asked. “I think the answer is yes.”

Still, about 98 percent of all riders will be within four to five blocks of a bus stop.

Schweim said STA can make the changes without adding any new buses or drivers to its operating costs. In fact, the plan as proposed by the consulting firm actually uses slightly fewer buses.

This comes at a time when ridership is increasing, largely because of the growing popularity of monthly passes, he said.

STA expects to break the 8 million mark for riders this year. The number of boardings is up 4.5 percent so far this year.

The transit system’s administrators are planning to give the Spokane City Council a briefing on the plan during the evening council meeting on Sept. 8. It will be broadcast on cable Channel 5.

Also, STA will be getting the word out through appearances to civic groups and through commuter trip reduction coordinators for local employers.

The STA board is planning a public hearing in October.

, DataTimes MEMO: Changed from the South Side Voice.

This sidebar appeared with the story: GETTING THE WORD OUT Spokane Transit Authority administrators plan to present the proposal to the Spokane City Council on Sept. 8 council meeting, which will be broadcast on cable Channel 5. Also, STA will be getting the word out through appearances to civic groups and through commuter trip reduction coordinators for local employers. A public hearing is planned for October.