Sta Reports 5% More Riders

Thu., Dec. 21, 2000

By Mike Prager mikeprager15@gmail.com (509) 459-5454

TRANSPORTATION

The Spokane Transit Authority is reporting a 5.1 percent increase in ridership for 2000 with more than 8 million boardings so far this year on its regular routes.

Boardings already have surpassed the previous highs of 8.1 million set in 1997 and again in 1999.

STA officials said the 2000 figures continue what’s become a steady trend of increased ridership that dates back to opening of The Plaza downtown six years ago.

They said improvements in routes, schedules and facilities are the main reason ridership has gone up.

Also, increased gasoline prices may figure into an increased number of commuters leaving their cars for buses.

“I think it’s because we’ve got great service,” said Jill Lamb, spokeswoman for STA.

The 3-year-old Liberty Lake Park and Ride lot is among the relatively new conveniences on the bus system, along with the Valley Transit Center.

STA officials said The Plaza transfer and waiting facility downtown also makes riding the bus a more convenient and comfortable experience.

The fixed-route bus system surpassed the 8 million mark for riders on Dec. 7, which was 19 days sooner than in 1999.

By the end of the year, STA could end up with 9 million riders when van pools and paratransit service are added to the fixed-route boardings.

In a news release, STA Executive Director Allen Schweim said, “These rising numbers and improving system performance continue to demonstrate both the importance and efficiency of public transportation in our community.”

The higher ridership comes despite the elimination of sparsely used routes and an end to the after-midnight departures from downtown.

The cuts resulted from the voter repeal of the state’s motor vehicle excise tax, which provided money to STA until this year.

Increased frequency of service along East Sprague, North Division and 29th Avenue has drawn large riderships to those routes.

The No. 90 East Sprague route carries a weekday average of 3,467 passengers. The East Sprague buses are virtually full during daytime hours, Lamb said.

On North Division, the No. 25 route has an average daily ridership of 3,000.

The loop route on 29th Avenue by bus No. 44 has an average of 1,381 daily riders.

Lamb said STA carries about 30,000 people a day throughout its routes.

The 8-million mark for ridership was first reached in 1997 and again in 1999.

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