Don’t let city fall behind

The ballot title for Spokane Transit Authority’s Proposition 1, now before Spokane County voters is “Preservation and Improvement of Public Transportation Services.”

STA is asking for the ability within the next 10 years to: 1. Maintain the existing fixed-route transit system including paratransit for disabled persons and vanpools for commuting to jobs; 2. To extend service hours on all basic and frequent routes so evening trips are available and convenient; 3. To establish new commuter routes and new high-frequency, high-performance routes, both east and west and north and south, to and through our core urban areas; 4. To upgrade existing park-and-ride lots and establish new ones; 5. To establish transit centers in Spokane Valley and on the West Plains so a trip to the downtown plaza center is unnecessary; and 6. To install a series of new bus shelters and bike lockers.

Should we pay for this big menu?

If we want to attract businesses and investments that generate higher paying jobs for educated and skilled workers who expect a modern transit system, we should. If we don’t, other cities and regions are and will. And their gains will be our loss.

Spokane will not move forward but fall behind.

Paul Kropp

Spokane