The start of fall quarter brought two big changes to Eastern Washington University’s commute – or should we say, a double deck of changes.
With the arrival of Spokane Transit Authority’s new double-decker buses and the full rollout of the STA Connect mobile app, catching a ride between Cheney and Spokane just got taller, sleeker, and more digital.
For the first time in over a decade, students, faculty and staff are boarding buses without their EagleCards. Instead, their phones or physical STA Connect cards now work as the key to free access across the transit network.
“The goal was to make the transition as seamless and easy as possible,” said Dainon Setzer, STA’s business development manager who helped lead the Connect rollout. “It’s a user-friendly and intuitive system, and overall, it went well.”
The STA Connect system, officially launched in 2022 after nearly three years of development, replaces Spokane Transit’s aging fareboxes and the old card-based system that had reached the end of its life.
Setzer said the partnership with EWU was a natural fit.
“It’s one of our oldest partnerships, a direct relationship for more than a decade,” he said. “It made sense to make sure everyone had access to the most recent technology.”
Through collaboration with Eagle Services and EWU’s IT department, the university phased in the transition over several months beginning last spring.
Early testing involved faculty and staff in EWU’s Commute Trip Reduction Program, followed by summer students and employees, with the final switch completed in September.
STA and EWU hosted on-campus events, including one around Earth Day, to help students get started and spread awareness. Printed guides, demonstrations and on-site assistance were available for riders who needed help downloading or syncing the app.
For STA, the rollout was about more than replacing outdated hardware. The Connect app is part of a larger goal to modernize transportation and reduce congestion on local roadways.
Overall, one of our key goals is to reduce congestion on the roadway,” said Carly Cortright, STA’s chief communications and customer service officer.
“With buses that can carry up to 80 people, … you’re reducing greenhouse gases and moving toward sustainability. We have a goal for a zero-emission fleet by 2040.”
Cortright, an EWU alum, said the partnership has always been prevalent.
“So many people went to EWU and rode STA to get out there,” she said. “Because of that great connection, we like to think of it as Eagle for Life — the partnership STA has had with Eastern really is lifelong.”
While the app represents the digital side of the change, the new double-decker buses represent its most visible transformation. Standing 13 1/2 feet tall, the buses were introduced on Routes 6 and 66, which connect Cheney and Spokane, some of the busiest corridors in the STA system.
“Even our largest buses were standing room only,” Setzer said. “The double-decker was a play to provide seated rides, especially for those longer hauls.”
Each bus seats around 80 passengers and features a climate-controlled cabin with individual vents, cameras for driver visibility and upgraded suspension. Every STA operator has undergone training to handle the new vehicles.
One thing Setzer noted for students that STA wants to send to EWU students is that their access extends beyond the campus commute.
“It’s super important that everyone understands they can use it all the time,” Setzer said. “Not just for the Plaza-to-Cheney route — they can use it on nights and weekends for personal trips too.”
