Sta Proposing Changes To Five Bus Routes In Valley

Spokane Valley bus riders may be seeing more changes to their routes.

After a decrease in Valley bus ridership and many requests for increases in service that followed last fall’s route change, the Spokane Transit Authority is proposing changes to five Valley bus routes, including two express routes.

STA staff propose increasing service, changing routes or adjusting times on routes from Greenacres to the West Valley.

“In the Valley, we’re changing things for the better,” said STA spokeswoman Jill Lamb. “Most of the changes have come from comments from letters people have written.”

In March, STA passed out 19,000 surveys to passengers and the public asking for opinions on last fall’s major bus route revamp, Lamb said.

From that, the staff came up with the following Valley proposals:

Route 71 (Sullivan/Pines Express) and Route 72 (Liberty Lake Express): Rerouting adjustments in the downtown area for consistency and easier passenger understanding.

Route 82 (Greenacres): Add additional weekday service from 6 to 9 p.m.

Route 90 (Sprague): Add 15-minute service on Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m.

Route 91 (Mission): Add 30-minute weekday peak service from 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.

Route 94 (East Fifth): Rerouting in area near Farr and Upriver to avoid train delays at Park and Trent.

Route 97 (South Valley): Time adjustments so the route can make better connections at the Valley Transit Center.

STA officials will begin taking proposals to the public on Tuesday.

The first open meeting will be held at the Spokane Valley Library.

The meetings will continue across Spokane until May 14.

Then, public comments and proposed changes will go before STA board members on May 26.

This sidebar appeared with the story: OPEN HOUSE Come and be heard Spokane Transit Authority will hold an open house-style meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main.