Bus seat slasher leaves costly mess

Damaged bus seats are stacking up at the Spokane Transit Authority’s bus barn. They’re waiting for repair because a rider with a knife has been slashing the seat fabrics.
More than 100 seats have been damaged, and maintenance workers are spending a lot of time fixing them.
STA officials are asking the public to help identify the person causing the damage, estimated at more than $13,000.
“This is a very sad waste,” said Molly Myers, communications manager for STA.
She said the agency believes the vandalism is being committed by one person acting alone.
Most of the …

Damaged bus seats are stacking up at the Spokane Transit Authority’s bus barn. They’re waiting for repair because a rider with a knife has been slashing the seat fabrics.

More than 100 seats have been damaged, and maintenance workers are spending a lot of time fixing them.

STA officials are asking the public to help identify the person causing the damage, estimated at more than $13,000.

“This is a very sad waste,” said Molly Myers, communications manager for STA.

She said the agency believes the vandalism is being committed by one person acting alone.

Most of the damage has been done to the fronts of the seats and is not noticed until after the bus is finished for the day.

Apparently the rider pulls out a knife and surreptitiously cuts the fabric while riding, she said.

Last week, STA staff distributed yellow notices to riders asking them to help identify the culprit. “This vandal is robbing you of the money you pay in fares and taxes,” the notice says.

The reaction inside STA is one of “disgust” over the senselessness, Myers said. “We’ve had to take one full-time person off other functions” to fix the seats, she said.

Riders are asked to notify the driver if they see the vandalism occur or if they find a slashed seat when they board. Also, riders may contact transit security officers at the STA Plaza or call the STA at (509) 328-7433.