Stephen K. Eugster 2418 West Pacific Avenue Spokane, Washington 99201-6422 509.624.5566 / Fax 1.866.565.2341 /Cell 509.990.9115 eugster@steveeugster.com E. Susan Meyer Chief Executive Officer 1230 West Boone Avenue Spokane, WA 99201 Email: Smeyer@spokanetransit.com Re: Browne s Addition How Bus Service Decisions Must Need Be Made Dear Ms. Meyer: In our last email exchange you said that you would tell me the reasons why you think I am wrong in saying that with respect of the above STA is not in compliance with state and City of Spokane environmental laws and City of Spokane laws including land use laws. I look forward to the response you indicated you would have your attorneys send to me. In the meantime I would like to apprise you of another point which I believe is worth significant attention. It has to do with the single purpose of Spokane Transit and how decisions must needs be made concerning that single purpose. The Single Purpose of STA The single purpose of the is to provide public transit services throughout the Spokane County Public Transportation Benefit Area.
E. Susan Meyer Page 2 That is to say, every area in the STA PTBA is to be served and is to be served fairly in comparison with other areas in the PTBA. If an area is not served or not served fairly then certain areas gain benefits that they are not entitled to. Obviously, this would be unfair. Again, the purpose of STA is to provide transit services to all areas in the Spokane transit service area and to do so in a fair and even manner. STA must act equitably as to all those STA is obligated to serve. Browne s Addition Service For years, Browne s Addition has received more transit service than most, if not all, other residential neighborhoods in the City of Spokane and the PTBA. It has had, for many years, the benefit of Route 40. This route ran right down the center of the neighborhood and then back to downtown on a street one block from the center. At the very same time, Browne's Addition was being served by Route 20 running on Riverside Drive, a neighborhood collector under the City of Spokane arterial plan. Also, and at the same time, Browne's Addition was being served by Routes 41, 60, 61 and 67 running on The Sunset Highway (Highway U.S. 2), a principal arterial under the arterial the plan of the city. See the enclosed Map. Browne's Addition is a neighborhood set off by itself. It is bounded its entire length on the north by Riverside Drive, a neighborhood collector. It is bounded its entire length on the South by The Sunset Highway, a principal arterial. Map. The buses which run on these two arterials are within five blocks of any location within the Browne s Addition neighborhood. Map. STA Route Planning Method When STA engages in route planning it tries to provide bus service to all
E. Susan Meyer Page 3 neighborhoods in the PTBA. This bus service is planned such that neighborhoods are not impacted by the bus service being provided meaning that buses run on arterials, so that it is fair to all neighborhoods, and so that residents in the neighborhoods will each have fair and reasonable access to buses which serve the neighborhood. In the past, STA has tried to provide bus service within five blocks of every location in the City of Spokane. Browne s Addition Service History Browne's Addition, prior to the addition of Route 40, had bus service on Riverside Drive and The Sunset Highway. Not only did it have service, it had multiple, even redundant, service at several points along these arterials. All such service was within five blocks or less from any location in Browne s Addition. Thus, Brown's addition, for years, has received more bus service than most other neighborhoods in the City of Spokane except perhaps for downtown. Browne s Addition Today This fall, STA eliminated Route 40. In doing so, STA rerouted Route 60 and Route 61 from The Sunset Highway into Browne s Addition. Not only was this action illegal, as I have previously opined, the action was in violation of the basic purpose, the basic mission, of, that being to provide public transportation on a fair and equitable basis throughout the Spokane County Public Transportation Benefit Area. STA would like keep this increased the bus service in Browne s Addition. It should not do this. It is not fair to the Browne s Addition neighborhood, it is not
E. Susan Meyer Page 4 fair with regard to other neighborhoods, and, it is, simply, contrary to the basic purpose of. Conclusion Route 60 and Route 61 must be eliminated from running through Browne s Addition. I look forward to hearing from you as to why you believe STA is in compliance with the law. Very truly yours, /s/ Stephen K. Eugster SKE/ske Enclosure Map (Browne s Addition Bus Services Routes 20, 41, 60, 61 and 67) -- www.steveeugster.com/sta/map_browne's_addition_buses.pdf Copies plus enclosure to: Spokane Mayor, Mary Verner Council President, Joe Shogan Council Members STA Board of Directors For more information about these matters go to http://www.steveeugster.com/sta brownes_addition.htm. C:\Wip\Spokane Transit\meyer_1_12_2010.wpd
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