SPOKANE, Wash. — A new Bus Rapid Transit line is set to come to one of Spokane’s busiest roads.
Following the approval from the Federal Transit Administration, the Division Street Bus Rapid Transit line (BRT) will enter its Project Development Phase. In this phase, the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) will review design, engineering and environmental review activities of BRT.
The purpose of Division Street BRT is to convert the existing Route 25 to a rapid transit service. Route 25 currently busses passengers along Division Street between downtown and the Hastings Park & Ride. STA says Route 25 carries nearly one million passengers a year, making it the second-highest ridership in the system.
BRT will add new stations along the roadway with additional modifications, running about every 10 to 15 minutes. According to STA, Division Street BRT will extend from downtown to the Mead area, providing a faster and more reliable zero-emission bus service in Spokane.
The Division Street BRT will be the second BRT line in the Spokane region, coming after the completion of City Line earlier this year.
“The Division Street BRT will become a key element of maintaining a thriving connection between north Spokane County and downtown Spokane by delivering high-quality, fast, and frequent bus service in a revitalized and vibrant Division Street corridor, including improved bicycle and pedestrian amenities,” said Carly Cortright, the Chief Communications & Customer Service Officer for STA.
The Washington State legislature has funded $50 million for the Division Street BRT through the 2022 Move Ahead Washington transportation funding package. The Project Development phase will be funded with state, federal and local grants and revenues.
STA is working in partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation, the City of Spokane, and Spokane County.
For more information on the Division Street Bus Rapid Transit Line, visit the STA website.
