Commuters Not An ‘In’ Crowd Bus Riders Largely Staying On The Outside Of Spokane Transit’s New Plaza

Maybe it’s habit. Maybe it’s the sunny weather. Maybe they just don’t want to put out their cigarettes.

For whatever reason, many people waiting for buses downtown haven’t moved into the Spokane Transit Authority’s new bus station.

“I didn’t know you could go inside,” said Anna Menko, as she leaned against the $20.6 million building that opened July 16. “Besides, you don’t want to miss your bus.”

The station was built so riders would wait inside, then step outside to catch the bus. That’s why there are seats inside but not out. It’s why there are airport-style television monitors to give riders a constant update of the bus schedule. That’s why it’s air-conditioned.

Jim Plaster, STA’s director of finance and the man in charge while other officials are on vacation, said he thinks riders will move inside during extreme weather. Some stepped indoors during showers earlier this week, he said.

But he and other staff are studying the pros and cons of putting benches outside the building, just in case.

Riders want them; police don’t.

“It’s a bit of a quandary for us,” said Plaster. “If you put them out there, there’s a concern you might attract the wrong element. If you don’t, you’re not accommodating your customers.”

Riders say they have little reason to go inside, especially on pleasant summer days.

The espresso bar and shops STA promises aren’t in the station yet. Burger King should open this fall; other businesses haven’t signed contracts, Plaster said.

STA officials acknowledge there aren’t nearly enough seats for waiting riders. More benches arrived this week and still more are on the way, Plaster said.

Smokers, like Menko, have to squash their butts at the door. That alone makes Bob Hancock think there will always be crowds outside.

“A lot of people who ride the bus smoke,” said Hancock, owner of Fugazzi restaurant, across the street from the station. “They (STA) failed to take that into account.”

STA crews prowl the sidewalk, sweeping up the cigarettes and other litter. They wash the windows at the neighboring United Air Lines ticket office, where workers complained to STA managers about riders who intentionally smear the glass.

“We’re going to keep the sidewalk clean,” said Plaster.

Security guards rouse STA customers who sprawl in entrances to businesses, even though Plaster said he’s not sure the guards have the legal authority to do it.

A woman who works at the United ticket office on Sprague wouldn’t comment about the crowds as she stepped around two lounging bus riders to get to her job.

“It’s going about like you’d expect,” she said cheerfully.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo