STA ignores rail transit

I am sorely disappointed that Spokane Transit Authority’s “Moving Forward” plan contains no accommodation for or planning toward any future rail-based transit such as streetcars or light rail. This agency previously spent over five years and almost $10 million studying the potential for rail transit, concluding in 2006 with an STA board commitment to an east-west right-of-way from Spokane to Liberty Lake for future light rail.

What I consider particularly ironic is that project was estimated to cost less than $300 million, but the board considered it to be totally unaffordable by the region. Only eight years later, STA is requesting an increase of more than $300 million to fund what simply amounts to a bigger bus system.

I urge everyone to vote no on the April 28 ballot measure because it virtually eliminates the possibility of light rail for decades. The proposed plan ignores the efficiencies of rail transit, its positive influence on growth, and the substantial economic benefits to the regional cities; all thoroughly documented with the publicly funded study that was completed by STA and is now being totally ignored.

Tell STA to include rail transit in all long-range plans for our region.

Donald Cain

Inland Empire Rail Transit Association

Spokane Valley