Transit is the answer
As someone who commutes every day to work I know firsthand how much of a time and money drain it can be. I spend about 20 minutes in my car each way and spend about $40-plus per week on gas and another $45 per month to park. Those are limited resources I would rather be spending on my family.
I have lived southwest of Spokane and commuted by car to work for over 20 years. I would take the bus, but I don’t live near a central hub or a convenient bus stop. With all of the new housing developments being built out here, it would be nice to have a reliable transit system close by, saving the cost of the daily commute we face.
Thankfully, Sen. Chris Marr has introduced a bill to change that. His Transit-Oriented Communities (SB 5687) legislation gives Spokane the tools it needs to create affordable new neighborhoods built around fast, reliable transit hubs.
This legislation would create communities that allow people to reduce costly car trips, spend more time with family and save money. Transit-Oriented Communities would bring housing, shopping and transit together to create affordable communities that are connected to the rest of the region.
I urge everyone who has ever had to commute to support this bill and thank Sen. Marr for his work and listening to his constituents.
Debra M. Boswell
Spokane