STA OKs shuttles for skaters

Spokane Transit Authority Board members unanimously approved a $58,000 plan to provide free shuttle service for athletes, coaches and judges and a fee-for-service shuttle for fans in Spokane for the 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

“It means a lot to the city of Spokane to host this event, so I’m wholeheartedly in favor,” said board member and Spokane City Councilman Joe Shogan.

The shuttles will ferry people between downtown hotels and the two skating venues – the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena and the Spokane Convention Center.

The board approved charging the public 50 cents per shuttle ride, $2 for a day-long pass or $10 for an eight-day pass.

The passes could be used on all STA bus routes.

Approval of the free shuttle is contingent on backing from the Federal Transit Administration, which might disallow the service if a private company is willing and able to run its own charter service.

An FTA representative said Thursday that the agency had yet to receive the STA’s proposal.

Federal law prohibits transit authorities from using tax money to compete with private businesses.

“If they’re planning a regular route service where anyone is able to get on board and able to pay the 50 cents, that’s transit service, but if they’re operating closed-door service for a particular group, that’s charter service,” said Bill Brannan, vice president and co-owner of Northwestern Stage Lines in a telephone interview.

Brannan added that he is optimistic that discussions with STA will resolve the issue.

STA’s participation in the 2002 Skate America competition was a big part of what made it a success, said Barb Beddor of Star USA, the group that organized that event’s Spokane visit and is heading up the upcoming figure skating championships here.

Beddor urged the board to approve the shuttles for the 2007 event.

“One of the things people will remember is your transportation,” she said. “If it was good, they will love you.”