Social Media

Below are STA’s official social media pages and profiles and managed by its Communications department. 

• Facebook: Spokane Transit or facebook.com/spokanetransit
• Instagram: @spokane_transit or instagram.com/spokane_transit
• LinkedIn: Spokane Transit or linkedin.com/company/spokanetransit
• X: @SpokaneTransit or x.com/spokanetransit

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: [email protected]

STA does not endorse any of the views in comments posted by users including its staff. Please read below to review STA’s social media policy.

STA Policy
05-002 Social Media

Spokane Transit Authority (STA) has an interest in providing timely, helpful and relevant information to its customers and the public.  In that interest, STA may utilize existing and emerging social media platforms to provide such information, as well as to interact with the public.  STA social media platforms shall comply with STA policies, procedures, and standards.  Washington state law, local and county law, and relevant STA records retention schedules apply to all social media content.  This policy applies to STA employees and STA appointed vendors and establishes guidelines for the use of social media platforms created and maintained by STA.  This policy should be incorporated by express reference into STA contracts with outside vendors or consultants, provided the terms of the contract shall govern when a conflict in terms arises.

The STA Board authorizes the Chief Executive Officer to develop and administer procedures for continued compliance of this policy and with any changes in applicable local, state, and federal laws. 

>> View STA Policy 05-002 Social Media as a PDF

STA ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE
05-002-01 Social Media Use

Effective July 31, 2020 • Approved by Director of Communications and Customer Service Brandon Rapez-Betty, 07/31/2020

1. Social Media Content Standard
   • Action by STA Communications Personnel
     • 1) Ensure that STA social media platforms comply with all appropriate STA policies and standards.
     • 2) Ensure that social media platforms are not used in support of or opposition to political campaigns or ballot measures.
     • 3) Display information to social media users regarding the intended purpose of the platform to serve as a communication mechanism between STA and members of the public.
     • 4) Ensure platform guidelines are displayed to users or made available by hyperlink.
     • 5) Ensure any content removed based on these guidelines is retained, including the time, date, and identity of the poster/commenter when available.
   • Action by Communications and Marketing Manager
     • 6) Approve new social media tools proposed for STA use.
   • Action by Director of Communications & Customer Service
     • 7) Recommend for approval to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) any new social media platforms proposed for STA use.
2. Social Media Records Retention
   • Action by STA Communications Personnel
     • Consult with records retention specialist and preserve records required to be maintained pursuant to relevant records retention schedules for the required retention period in a format that preserves the integrity of the original record and is easily accessible
3. Social Media Site Administration
   • Communications Department Personnel
     • 1) Maintain a list of social media platforms and tools that are approved for use by STA personnel.
     • 2) Maintain a list of all STA social media platforms, including login information.
     • 3) Inform the Information Services Department of any new social media platforms and STA personnel with access.
     • 4) Change passwords for social media sites every three months.
     • 5) Ensure ability to immediately edit or remove content from social media sites.
4. General Requirements
   1. Spokane Transit’s website (www.spokanetransit.com) will remain STA’s predominant source for customer and public information.
   2. STA’s use of social media platforms falls generally into two categories:
      • a) As channels for disseminating time-sensitive information.
      • b) As marketing/promotional channels that increase STA’s ability to strategically broadcast its messages.
   3. When applicable, STA content shared in social media should contain links directing users to more information and helpful resources.
   4. STA’s Communications Department is responsible to plan, share, and maintain content for all active social media platforms. 
   5. STA Communications Department personnel may remove posts or comments that include the following prohibited content:
      • a) Comments unrelated to the particular content;
      • b) Profane language or content;
      • c) Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation;
      • d) Sexual content or links to sexual content;
      • e) Solicitations of commerce;
      • f) Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity;
      • g) Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems;
      • h) Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party; or
      • i) Content that violates or promotes the violation of STA’s Rules of Conduct and Code of Conduct and Ethics.
   6. STA reserves the right to restrict or remove any content that is deemed in violation of STA’s social media policy, this procedure, or any applicable law.
   7. STA will approach the use of social media platforms and tools as consistently as possible, enterprise-wide.
   8. STA’s social media accounts may not be used for an employee’s personal business.
5. Definitions
   • Content: A compilation of information, ideas, and messages that are translated into written, visual, or audible format for others to consume.
   • Public Record: Any content maintained in a social media format that is related to STA business, including a list of subscribers and posted communication, is a public record.  
   • Social Media: Any online technology or practice that enables users to share, rate, comment on, or discuss shared content.
   • Social Media Tool: A type of application, software or technology used to monitor, track, and analyze online social media platform content.
   • Social Media Platform: A web-based software or technology that enables the development, deployment and management of information shared by users of the same platform. It is typically used for social engagement, information sharing and the promotion of products and services.  Popular platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

>> View STA Administrative Procedure 05-002-01 Social Media Use as a PDF

RELATED INFORMATION:

• State of Washington Public Records Act
• Rules of Conduct
• 01-004 Records Management Policy
• 05001-01 Code of Conduct and Ethics