Transit cuts promote cars

According to an Oct. 4 article (Getting There), the city of Spokane wants me to buy a car. On the heels of service reductions and rate increases this year, the STA bus routes I ride to work every day are being discontinued next year. Controlled in part by external regional authorities, perhaps the STA isn’t entirely to blame. But are declining sales tax revenues really the problem, or does STA CEO Susan Meyer need another pay raise?

By contrast, leaders in Portland not long ago scrapped a highway project and opted for light rail. Assuming people would choose public transportation over automobiles, given a good option, they encouraged business owners to locate near transit stops and required new buildings to have ground-floor retail space instead of parking. Portland’s development has since focused on pedestrians. Encouraged by light rail success, Portland recently built the first modern streetcar line in the country. Projected to serve 2,800 passengers per day, it now carries 10,000.

Residents praise the transportation convenience, merchants applaud the increased foot traffic and environmental benefits have been impressive for pedestrian-friendly Portland. Meanwhile, the city of Spokane wants me to buy a car.

Maybe I should move to Portland.

David Kendall

Spokane Valley