Lance Speirs

This Comprehensive Plan for Spokane Transit Authority sets forth a vision and policy framework to guide decisions and further its mission and vision for at least the next 30 years. The plan outlines strategies across multiple areas, including service design (High Performance Transit, Fixed-Route, Paratransit, Flexible Services), system integration, infrastructure, public engagement, revenues, monitoring, regional transportation, land use, economic development, sustainability, and safety & security. Its overarching goal is to connect everyone to opportunity by providing safe, inclusive, convenient, and efficient public transportation services, thereby enhancing the region's social fabric, economic infrastructure, and quality of life.

This document outlines the Spokane Transit Authority's strategic roadmap, Connect 2035, for bus, Paratransit, and Rideshare services through 2035. The plan aims to connect everyone to opportunity by focusing on three strategic goals: elevating the customer experience, leading and collaborating with community partners to enhance regional quality of life, and strengthening organizational capacity. It details projects and investments to improve service reliability, expand sustainable initiatives, and enhance overall accessibility, addressing challenges such as growing demand and modernizing infrastructure.

The board meeting agenda included employee retirements and recognition awards, the approval of various financial vouchers and public works contracts, and the adoption of updates to the public transportation agency safety plan. Key action items involved equipment purchases for battery electric bus charging, property acquisition for bus stop improvements, and a determination regarding public records index undue burden. The session also featured reports from the Board Operations, Planning and Development, and Performance Monitoring and External Relations committees, as well as a review of the transit development plan, financial forecasts, and various operational indicators. An executive session was scheduled to address real estate acquisition matters.

The Connect Spokane Comprehensive Plan for Public Transportation serves as a guiding policy document and roadmap for Spokane Transit Authority (STA), aiming to advance its mission of providing safe, inclusive, convenient, and efficient public transportation services and its vision of connecting everyone to opportunity for at least the next 30 years. The plan details principles and policies across critical service areas, including High Performance Transit, Fixed-Route, Paratransit, and Flexible Services, as well as system integration, transit equity and inclusion, infrastructure development, communications, revenue and fares management, performance monitoring, regional transportation and land use coordination, sustainability, and safety and security.

The meeting agenda includes a public hearing on the Connect 2035 Strategic Plan draft amendment. Action items involve the approval of financial vouchers, final acceptance of several public works projects including the Mirabeau Transit Center and Route 25 Downtown Layover, and resolutions regarding the Connect Spokane minor update and public records index. The meeting will also feature discussions on the Paratransit operating strategy, committee reports, a CEO report, and an executive session regarding real estate acquisition and collective bargaining strategies.