Social Media

Original

People who follow and/or engage with STA’s social media platforms can expect regular posts covering some or all of the following:

• Information about special events and rider promotions
• Updates on time-sensitive service updates (Fixed Route, Paratransit, Rideshare, Shuttle Park)
• Reminders about STA policies and practices
• Alerts about impending route or schedule changes
• News releases and links to stories about STA happenings at spokanetransit.com
• Information about public meetings
• Community engagement opportunities to provide feedback on STA initiatives (polls, surveys)
• Shared content from other organizations that partner with STA
• Behind-the-scenes photos/videos
• Updates on transit improvement projects
• Links/previews of stories and news related to STA available at spokanetransit.com
• Information about public meetings
• Historical media
• Images and videos of STA customers
• Federal holidays that impact service delivery and hours of operation
• Agency-related recognition and celebration, e.g. National Administrative Professionals Week, Maintenance Employees Appreciation Day, Transit Driver Appreciation Day, etc.
• Industry advancements achieved by transit pioneers/heroes* that led to the advancement of technology, systems, and/or policies**

Shared

STA may also occasionally share content from other social media pages, users, or websites it thinks may be of interest to its followers, and that support STA’s mission.

Links to other resources are provided solely for the convenience of users and are intended to point users to additional information that may add perspective for users. STA is not responsible for the accuracy, currency, or reliability of the content of these links. It does not offer any guarantee in that regard and is not responsible for the information found through these links, nor does it explicitly or implicitly endorse these sites or their content.

Hashtags

STA utilizes unique hashtags and existing hashtags generated by other social media users to categorize content, find and/or share related media and execute contests. As is the nature of hashtags, users are welcome to tag their own images and videos using the unique hashtags created by STA or other social media users. The inclusion of a hashtag on a STA post does not imply endorsement of any kind.

Post Availability

The number of posts per day will vary. Most posts and responses will occur weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PST.

STA’s social media updates are subject to downtime that may be out of its control, because social media servers are managed by a third party. STA accepts no responsibility for the social media network becoming unresponsive or unavailable.

*Transit pioneers/heroes are subjects also known as historical figures/events intended to recognize historical achievements. Content may be published during the months of which the subject’s birthday and/or heritage, identity, and/or cultural background is celebrated.

**Updated policies issued and/or mandated by a non-Agency entity

STA strives to post accessible content on third-party social media platforms. A request for a special accessibility accommodation must be submitted to the Ombudsman and Accessibility Officer: ombudsman@spokanetransit.com

Direct Messages

On all social media platforms where private or direct messaging is active, STA will review and process the message where responses are returned within 72 business hours. Information will be forwarded as necessary to the appropriate personnel within STA. Situations that require follow up may be resolved via phone or email, in which STA will request contact information from the user submitting the private or direct message.

On all social media platforms where private or direct messaging is not possible, STA encourages the user to submit the intended private or direct message to STA Questions at staquestions@spokanetransit.com. A response will be returned within 72 business hours. The email message sent to STA Questions will be forwarded to the appropriate STA personnel if the situation requires follow up.

Likes & Shares

STA follows and likes other STA-related social media pages, pages of local governments throughout the PTBA region, and relevant state and federal agencies. STA may also engage with organizations it has partnered with for specific efforts or whose work is relevant to its mission.

STA’s decision to engage a particular social media page, or the appearance of a user as a follower of STA, does not imply endorsement of any kind.

STA content is also intended to be shared, and users are encouraged to share content it finds relevant or interesting.

• Behind-the-scenes photos/videos
• Information about special events and rider promotions
• Updates on transit improvement projects
• Alerts about impending route or schedule changes
• Links/previews of stories and news related to STA available at spokanetransit.com
• Information about public meetings
• Historical media
• Reminders about STA policies and practices
• Shared content from other organizations that partner with STA
• Shared content from other Instagram users who grant STA permission to repost images or videos
• Images and videos of STA customers

Follows & Unfollows

At this time, STA follows other transit- and transportation-related accounts and the accounts of cities and counties within the PTBA region. We may also follow partner organizations and other organizations whose work is relevant to the mission of the agency. STA’s decision to follow a particular social media page/account, or the appearance of a user as an STA follower, does not imply endorsement of any kind.

STA does not endorse any of the views in comments posted by users including its staff. To review the social media policy’s rules of engagement, please visit spokanetransit.com/social/policy.