STA rolls out upgraded website
Spokane Transit Authority has switched to a new website that offers greater planning tools for riders as well as real-time information about buses while they are en route.
The website can be found at spokanetransit.com.
For people trying to find their way across the Spokane urban area, the website offers an easy way to find out how to get to a destination and what buses can provide the service. The trip planner can be done through a link to Google or on STA’s own website.
For regular riders, possibly the most significant addition is a real-time tracking tool that shows buses en route on their trips across the Spokane area.
The website offers route maps that show where buses are located at any given time based on GPS tracking. Thus, a rider can see if their bus is on time or is being held up by traffic or other problems.
The tracking feature will be helpful during weather emergencies like the Nov. 17 windstorm or snowstorms.
The new website, which went live in mid-November, is part of STA’s implementation of “smart bus” technology that includes onboard cameras, recorded stop announcements, card swiping capability at fare boxes and enhanced dispatching.
“It’s been in the works for a couple of years,” said Beth Bousley, spokeswoman at STA.
The site uses what is called “responsive web design” that is capable of operating across different platforms, including mobile technology.
The website contains enhanced route alerts. For example, STA had lists of route detours up on the website during the Nov. 17 windstorm.
A link to route alerts is posted in the upper bar of the home page.
The website receives 1,000 to 2,500 visits a day.
In another feature, STA is working with local merchants to provide coupons and other shopping incentives. The idea is to get shoppers to use the bus and avoid the hassles of driving in heavy traffic and parking in busy lots.
To accomplish that, STA has created a separate website at staholidays.com.
Last Friday, STA buses had free boarding to help shoppers get to stores. It was the second consecutive year that STA offered free fares the day after Thanksgiving.
“We want people to use the bus,” Bousley said.
The $4.9 million in smart bus technology was funded in part with $2.2 million in federal congestion mitigation grants.
New electronic reader boards with real-time bus information are planned for the STA Plaza downtown and other locations.
Lane closed on Sullivan
In Spokane Valley, drivers on North Sullivan Road can expect a southbound lane reduction during work hours this week at the bridge project and detour across the Spokane River. Flaggers will work from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Centennial Trail is closed beneath the bridge.
Traffic cams go in on Francis
In Spokane, traffic cameras will be installed this week along Francis Avenue east of Division Street. Intermittent lane closures can be expected.
Leaf pickup in residential areas has been suspended due to storm debris cleanup.
Northwest Boulevard is open following a $9.5 million stormwater and water project.
Funds for road damage sought
Washington’s congressional delegation last week sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, urging the Transportation Department to quickly approve emergency relief funding to repair heavy damage to roadways throughout Washington from storms Nov. 13-18.
“Three people were killed in the severe storms, and many are still dealing with power outages as well as flooding, landslides, downed trees and debris affecting roadways,” said a press release from the office of U.S. Sen. Patty Murray.
Transportation meeting set
On Monday and Tuesday, officials with the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration will be in Spokane to review the work of the Spokane Regional Transportation Council and its compliance with federal regulations.
In conjunction with that visit, officials have scheduled a public meeting for Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the SRTC office at the Intermodal Center, 221 W. First Ave., Suite 310.
Those who cannot attend may submit comments in writing to either of the administrations via mail or email by Dec. 1.
Comments should go to Sidney Stecker, Federal Highway Administration, 711 S. Capitol Way, Suite 501, Olympia, 98501, or at sidney.stecker@ dot.gov, or by phone at (360) 753-9555.
Also, Ned Conroy, Federal Transit Administration, 915 Second St., Room 3142, Seattle, 98174-1002, or at Ned.conroy@dot.gov or (206) 220-4318.
For questions or information, contact Staci Lehman at (509) 343-6387 at SRTC.
State tops in speed traps
Washington ranks right up there when it comes to setting speed traps to catch motorists going too fast.
The state ranked 10th in the category of most speed traps per 1,000 lane miles at an average of 2.74 traps in that distance over the past five years.
This information comes from the National Motorists Association.