Sta Asks Riders To Help Them Get Moving On The Right Route Wednesday Hearing May Be Last Chance For Comment On The Proposed Changes

Spokane Transit Authority buses on the five routes that lead to Lewis and Clark High School will probably be packed Wednesday afternoon.

STA board members are inviting riders to the school for a hearing on proposed changes that would affect nearly every route in the county.

They would be the agency’s first major route changes in 16 years.

The hearing could be the last chance for riders to comment before the board decides whether to make the changes suggested by a Portland consultant.

That decision is expected by the end of the year.

Many riders are angry that the changes would force them to walk farther to bus stops. Others are glad to hear buses would run more often than in the past.

STA presented the plans at 30 gatherings in churches, service clubs and other venues. Sixteen times, STA staff members sat at tables in shopping malls and the downtown bus plaza, telling individual riders how the changes would affect them.

The agency collected 2,800 comment cards and received more than 100 personal letters, STA spokeswoman Jill Lamb said.

“We can’t even count how many phone calls we’ve had,” Lamb said. “It’s been interesting to see how much passion there is from people who ride the bus.”

Suggestions from some riders probably will be incorporated into the route changes, she said.

Because a large crowd is expected Wednesday, STA will ask speakers to limit their comments to two minutes, Lamb said.

Those who can’t attend the meeting can send written comments to STA Board of Directors, 1230 W. Boone Ave., Spokane, WA 99201.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: STA HEARING The Spokane Transit Authority will have a public hearing on proposed route changes at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Lewis and Clark High School auditorium, 521 W. Fourth Ave. The hearing follows STA’s monthly board meeting, which begins at 3 p.m., also in the auditorium.