“This great transition to a clean energy future, it’s not the future, it’s the present.”

Governor Jay Inslee

On February 18, Governor Jay Inslee came to Spokane Transit for a first-hand look at the battery-electric buses and electric charging infrastructure, as well as to tour a portion of the future Division Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line for which the state legislature is eyeing a $50 million award in the proposed Move Ahead Washington plan.

The event was hosted by E. Susan Meyer, STA CEO, and held in the agency’s Boone NW Garage, where the electric buses and their charging infrastructure are housed.

“There is no place leading (the way) more than Spokane – right here at Spokane Transit – with clean, safe, efficient, convenient buses,” Inslee said. “This is a world-class facility right here.”

After introducing the governor to several staff members who are instrumental in the City Line project, both Meyers and STA Board Member Lori Kinnear spoke about the upcoming all-electric transit line.

“I can’t think of anything more critical to sustainable development than a robust public transportation network.” Kinnear said.

Following a demonstration of STA’s on-site electric bus charging technology, Inslee spoke on the benefits of City Line and other clean energy projects taking place in Washington.

“There is so much more to come because the legislature has now passed a transportation package which is going to help electrify so many buses across the state of Washington,” Inslee said.

The governor wrapped up by taking questions from media, then boarded a City Line bus for a tour of the route.

“Here we are in 2022 – we have the City Line in sight, we have the vehicles here, we’re training our employees, and we’re ready for the future of transit,” Meyer said.

 See more photos from Governor Inslee’s visit to STA on the City Line webpage.