As part of its Smart Bus Initiative, Spokane Transit Authority has begun rolling out some new features to help riders to track bus schedules here better. 

Brandon Rapez-Betty, STA spokesman, says buses now are equipped with GPS technology that provides real-time information that can be passed to riders via text message, website, and reader boards at various STA locations.  

Specifically, the feature enables riders to text their four-digit bus stop number to 996-89, and receive a text back that tells them if their bus is on time, early, or late, as well as which other buses serve that stop.

 “These are part of an effort to modernize our buses with more automated features,” says Rapez-Betty. “We want to be able to display real-time information about where buses are for customers.”

He says STA’s goal in adding the new features was to eliminate anxiety, enabling riders to plan their schedules more easily. 

Rapez-Betty says projects within the Smart Bus Initiative are funded using grants and local money in an effort to bring public transportation up to date. 

“This should function similarly to checking the weather or your daily news,” he says. “It’s about giving people that added knowledge about where their bus is, so we can eliminate anxiety and make transit more convenient.”

According to Rapez-Betty, the new texting feature cost $27,000 to get up and running. The feature has been live for a few months now, but STA only recently has started promoting it. 

Along with the new texting feature, Rapez-Betty says STA is also working to update its website to include real-time information, a project that should be completed by early summer. 

Additionally, he says STA has installed new real-time reader boards at several of its Park & Ride locations, including those near Jefferson Street and Interstate 90, Ash Street and Five Mile Road, and Mirabeau Point at 13209 E. Indiana. 

“We started with the Jefferson Street Park & Ride a few months ago,” he says. “By Bloomsday, we hope to have boards installed at the South Hill Park & Ride and Valley Transit Center as well.” 

Similar to airport reader boards, the new boards deliver up-to-date information about arrivals and departures, as well as bus schedules. 

Rapez-Betty says the boards cost between $20,000 and $34,000 each, depending on their size. Eventually, he says, STA plans to add the real-time boards at all 12 of its Park & Ride lots, as well as any new Park & Ride facilities it opens.

He says STA is planning expansions to two of the current Park & Ride facilities, Liberty Lake and Mirabeau Point, as well as the creation of several new facilities, such as the West Plains Transit Center and the Moran Prairie Park & Ride.

Rapez-Betty says so far, riders say they appreciate STA’s efforts to invest in technology that can make their transit experience easier. 

“Giving the rider all the information they need allows them to have more freedom over their daily travel schedules,” he says.