Sta Considering Northern Expansion

The Spokane Transit Authority is taking public comments on the possibility of expanding its service - and its sales tax reach - into northern Spokane County.

STA officials say they are responding to a survey of north county residents completed in October 1994 by Spokane County. The telephone survey with 675 respondents found there was a need for bus service in Deer Park, Elk, Chattaroy, Riverside and Colbert.

Among the results were that 396 of the people said they would use the service if available and 399, almost 60 percent, said they wouldn’t mind paying for it with a higher sales tax, according to Peggy Hodges of the county engineer’s office.

“It’s really hard to provide service in some of these areas. They’re really spread out and they’re not going places at the same time,” said STA planner Christine Fueston.

The STA has established a Public Transit Benefit Area that reaches to the Idaho border and north to Mount Spokane State Park Drive and Wandermere Golf Course.

The agency is required to provide bus service to that population, which includes almost 90 percent of the county’s 400,000 people.

There has been significant growth, however, beyond the northern boundaries of the transit benefit area and that is one of the factors STA would consider in expanding service. Another factor would be the cost of services such as van pickup for senior citizens and the disabled.

The agency is required to provide curbside pickup for persons who cannot walk to regular routes.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Transit hearing The STA will hold a public hearing on north county service at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 27 in the multipurpose room of the STA building at 1230 W. Boone. Written comments will also be accepted until that time. Mail to: STA, 1230 W. Boone Spokane, WA 99201-2686. For more information, call 325-6000.