The City Ticket park and ride program, made possible through a partnership of the Spokane Transit Authority (STA), the Public Facilities District (PFD), and the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP), is receiving a brand refresh this week to better communicate to downtown employees the benefit of the program.
Starting Thursday August 1, City Ticket pass holders will now be using their ShuttlePark pass to catch a ride to and from downtown via parking at the Veterans Memorial Arena courtesy of the STA Shuttle.
Costing only $40, ShuttlePark is an affordable monthly parking option for users who need convenient access to their vehicle. As downtown Spokane experiences growth in workforce density, more and more people are spending their days in the business core. Securing a monthly parking space in the heart of downtown has become more competitive in recent years, with waiting lists at most parking garages. “We know that affordable long-term parking is a priority,” says DSP President, Mark Richard. “We believe that rebranding City Ticket to ShuttlePark will provides a clearer understanding of the benefits of a parking program that has not yet reached its potential.”
The Plaza-Arena shuttle travels through downtown to the STA Plaza with convenient stops along the way. During peak hours, shuttle service is provided every few minutes, with service every 20 minutes at other times throughout the day. The ShuttlePark pass is valid during all service hours. Pass holders can depart downtown as late as 11:00 p.m. when using the ShuttlePark pass to catch routes 27 and 39 that pass by the arena after leaving the STA Plaza.
“We’re always looking at ways to make transit easier and more convenient to use,” says STA Director & Communications & Customer Service Brandon Rapez-Betty. “Which means providing a variety of transit options for different types of customers. Some people want or need their cars close by while they work downtown, but are also looking to save wherever they can. ShuttlePark helps them do just that.”
With plenty of available parking north of the Spokane River at the arena, the PDF, STA and DSP hope to see the program expand as it’s discovered by more parkers. Currently there is room for growth at the arena with up to 750 spaces available to pass holders.
To celebrate the transition, staff from STA and the DSP will greet morning commuters on August 1 with coffee and doughnuts between the hours of 7:00 and 9:00 a.m.
About Spokane Transit Authority
STA provides public transportation services through fixed route (bus) service, paratransit operations and vanpool to the cities of Airway Heights, Cheney, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake, Millwood, Spokane and Spokane Valley and parts of the unincorporated County. The organization employs more than 500 people and is overseen by a 12-member regional board: nine voting elected officials from Spokane County and cities in the Public Transportation Benefit Area, two non-voting elected officials from area small cities, and a non-voting labor member. For more information about STA, please visit www.spokanetransit.com.
About the Spokane Public Facilities District
The Spokane Public Facilities District owns and operate the 12,500-seat Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, the 2,5000seat First Interstate Center for the Arts, and the Spokane Convention Center.
About Downtown Spokane
The DSP is a private, non-profit membership organization that serves as Spokane’s central city advocate and service provider, dedicated to enhancing the quality and vitality of Downtown Spokane as the basis for a healthy region. The DSP accomplishes its mission through advocating for public policies, business and project development, quality planning, physical improvement projects, public safety, beautification, and marketing programs that ensure downtown’s continued success. To learn more, visit www.downtownspokane.org.