Only two more spots on bus pass program

There’s room for only two more employers to take advantage of Spokane Transit Authority’s pass program.

The STA Board on Thursday approved a plan to require that any new employers seeking to start a bus pass program have at least 1,500 participants or commit to spending at least $45,000 a year on the passes.

Eastern Washington University and Spokane County already have STA pass programs in place. They pay a discounted rate per person so that any one of their students, faculty, or employees can ride the bus at no personal cost.

But STA must limit the program because each bus’s farebox has only two more buttons available to track participation in such programs, said STA spokeswoman Molly Myers.

Community Colleges of Spokane and Whitworth College have expressed interest in starting their own STA bus pass programs.

In other business, the STA board was briefed on progress on the South Hill Park and Ride.

The project is expected to be put out to bid within the month, under construction by August and opened by November, said STA Planner Ryan Stewart.

Located at the corner of 31st Avenue and Southeast Boulevard, it will include 97 parking spaces, a pedestrian pathway, drivers’ restroom, shelters and lighting.

Also, the Federal Transit Administration notified STA this week that it passed its triennial review with no deficiencies or findings.

The review focuses on management practices and program implementation with regards to federal grants.

FTA representative Pat Hendrix said she can remember just two agencies since 1992 that passed their review without a deficiency or finding.