As you may have read in the paper or heard on the news lately, the Spokane Transit System is undergoing a review of it's routes to make some cutbacks in expenses. They are planning to cut back on a number of routes and loose some drivers through attrition, and maybe some other personnel. As part of their route review process they have been looking for input from the public at large. Back around July, 2008, we invited Molly Meyers, STA Communications Manager, out to chat with us about the possibility of extending bus service north of Francis to serve more of our neighborhood. Shortly after that meeting the economy began to tank and, almost three years later, our hopes still have not happened. As part of their current public input effort, I called Molly to again request, and make part of the public record, that the Crestline bus route extend north up to maybe the round-a-bout then back down to Francis with a minimal amount of stops to help serve the west side of our neighborhood and the east side of the Calkins Annexation area (all those apartments). I told her they could find the extra 5 minutes by eliminating some of the redundant stops on other parts of the current route. Anyway, it's part of the record now.
Back years ago I remember there was something like a $1 assessment placed on residences to help fund STA when there was another big dip. So my poll question is about whether or not you would be willing to be assessed again in this fashion to help keep a healthy mass transit system in Spokane. I will disclose here that I did make the leap on January 1st and now buy a monthly bus pass to get to work. And I have no regrets for doing this. Like someone at work once commented: "it keeps me grounded". Lots to see......
