On January 21, 2018, as a new arrival without personal transportation, I began riding on the area’s Spokane Transit Authority. Being over 65, I got a nice discount on my monthly pass and became immediately impressed by the courtesy and upbeat attitude of the drivers. Before reading the May 6 Front & Center article, I had a pleasant encounter with a fellow rider, Karl Otterstrom, the STA’s director of Planning and Development, who told me of his work and explained plans for additional routes and coverage.

A few days later, Mr. Otterstrom surprised me at work when he came to have a poster framed. During the exchange, he invited me to attend the community event described in the poster.

I never got close to a similar experience riding the transit systems in the San Francisco Bay Area, Houston or Los Angeles. I applaud Spokane’s system led by Susan Meyer and relished in her closing: “…people don’t have to marry public transportation … just date us!” I’m happy and going steady!

Clarence Faulkner

Spokane