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Buses are basic

The Spokesman-Review

Does the Spokane Transit Authority plan to shut down for the whole winter? If so, why not just shut down altogether so those of us who rely on them daily for basic transportation can permanently make other arrangements?

Is the STA merely a cost-saving convenience for the wealthiest members of this community who live on the outskirts of Spokane and work downtown? This seems to be the general criteria for planning STA bus schedules, and their current shutdown is further evidence of the problem. Not everybody in this town is a banker or a doctor or a lawyer who owns two or three SUVs or even one car. But we still must commute to work and to the supermarket and to the clinics – and unfortunately the banks, too.

Meanwhile, the STA is “Out of Service” now for almost an entire week, and the taxi industry in Spokane is sadly inadequate to handle the overflow.

I’ve been riding the bus for more than 15 years, but I have never seen the likes of this. It’s just inexcusable. What’s the problem? When does the STA plan to be back in service for the people in this community who need their help the most?

David Kendall

Spokane

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