Contact: Chris Cargill
(509) 570-2384
ccargill@washingtonpolicy.org
Study shows enhancing bus service or Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system would better-fit city’s transportation needs
SPOKANE – Should Spokane build a six-mile long, $72 million electric trolley system? New research released by Washington Policy Center – an independent research organization with offices in Spokane – shows the city would be better served by a less-expensive Bus Rapid Transit system already in place in other Northwest cities.
WPC’s in-depth study, Overview of Spokane’s electric trolley proposal details the significant capital and operational costs of the Spokane Transit Authority plan, which will be included in an April 28th ballot measure to increase sales taxes in most of Spokane County.
Among the key findings of the study:
- STA’s Proposition 1 would increase the sales tax in most of Spokane County to nine percent
- Proposition 1 includes a $72 million, six-mile long electric trolley plan for downtown Spokane
- In addition, taxpayers would pay at least $4.1 million a year to operate the trolley
- Moving transit riders on the trolley would be 20 percent more expensive per trip than a typical STA bus
- Any future economic development along the trolley line would likely be the result of major taxpayer-funded subsidies
“The goal of public transit is to move people from point A to point B as efficiently and safely as possible,” explained WPC Coles Center for Transportation Director Bob Pishue. “Research shows the electric trolley will only add to the cost of that goal.”
STA’s plan is to build a six-mile long electric trolley stretch from Browne’s Addition to SCC. The system would be powered with inductive charging technology. But there are no U.S. manufacturers that currently make the system, meaning the project is not eligible for federal grants.
“The enormous capital and operational costs for STA’s electric trolley also pose major concerns,” said WPC’s Eastern Washington director Chris Cargill. “There are less-expensive alternatives that would do many of the same things STA officials propose with the trolley.”
The cities of Everett and Eugene, Oregon already use Bus Rapid Transit systems, which would nicely fit Spokane’s transportation needs. Those systems – which stretch 17 miles and 4 miles, respectively – cost less than $30 million to build.
WPC will introduce its Overview of Spokane’s electric trolley proposal research to the community at a special transportation breakfast on March 31st at the Davenport Hotel. The event features national transportation expert Randal O’Toole of the Cato Institute and WPC’s Bob Pishue. The breakfast is open to the public and registration is available on washingtonpolicy.org.
