Bus fare, service changes approved
The Spokane Transit Authority Board approved Thursday a new fare structure, new advertising policy and new bus service in Spokane’s Northwest Terrace neighborhood.
The new fare system will be implemented at the same time new fare boxes are installed on STA buses in December.
Fares won’t increase, but tokens and transfers will be retired, said Operations Director Steve Blaska.
Instead of transfers, bus riders will purchase a two-hour pass for the same $1 that a one-way fare costs now. An all-day pass will cost $2.50.
In addition, riders will be able to buy cards with any amount they choose that can be used for fares over the course of days or months. Monthly passes will not change.
People will ride for free on three fare holidays as the fare boxes are switched over Dec. 1-3.
After extensive debate, the board also approved a new content policy for advertising on STA buses, vans and shelters. It allows alcohol, firearms, gambling and political advertising but prohibits tobacco and sexually charged ads.
STA Board member and Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke said tobacco advertising is prohibited near areas where children congregate, adding that he feared buses rolling past schools and parks might violate that law.
As for the alcohol, gambling and firearms ads, Mielke said, “I don’t want us to forget that when we talk about advertising, it has one purpose: to generate revenue.”
But STA Board member and Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin said she doesn’t approve of allowing advertising of “vices” like alcohol and gambling on local buses.
“I would like to compel you to do what is best for our minors,” McLaughlin said in a losing argument.
The Northwest Terrace neighborhood will lose midday bus service, but gain service during the commute hours of 6 to 8 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. under a new schedule, which also pushes the route that starts at the Five Mile Park and Ride farther north into the Nine Mile Road area in northwest Spokane.
Three people on average were riding the midday route, said STA planner Gordon Howell.
“That’s not a very effective use of our resources,” Howell said, adding that the commute-hour service has a better chance of building ridership.
In other business, STA staff presented a recommendation that 44 non-union employees be given $357,000 in increased salaries and other compensation over the next two years.
The proposed raises are the end product of a recently completed study that found those employees’ salaries and benefits didn’t stack up to those of employees at other transit agencies, local governmental entities and private companies.
The STA board is scheduled to vote on that recommendation at its September meeting.