News & Updates

Mask Mandate Lifted

Effective immediately, masks are no longer required for STA employees, riders on buses, Paratransit, or Vanpool, or visitors to STA facilities. However, masks are still welcome for anyone who chooses to wear one.

On April 18, 2022, both the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced a change to their policies regarding mandatory masking. There is no entity either requiring masking on public transportation or enforcing the prior regulations.

This change is the result of a court order. It is possible for this ruling to be appealed. STA will communicate any changes as they arise.

4/18 – Mask Mandate Lifted Memo
4/13 – TSA Extends Mask Mandate through May 3, 2022.
3/10 – Memo: TSA Extends Mask Mandate
2/28 – February STA Moving Forward Newsletter
1/31 – January STA Moving Forward Newsletter
1/25 – STA Temporarily Reduces Service Due to Operator Absences
12/31 – December STA Moving Forward Newsletter
12/30 – The federal mandate to wear masks on public transit and in transit facilities has been extended until March 18, 2022 (TSA directive and the President’s Executive Order). STA does not have the option to reverse the policy. Learn more here.
7/6/ – Safety Notice #14
3/18 – Profile of Transit Driver Appreciation Day
3/16 – Safety Notice #13
3/11 – Profile of General Repair Mechanic Christian Bigger
3/5 – Profile of Paratransit Van Operator Roy Norman
2/25 – Profile of Administrative Assistant Sarah Beal
2/18 – Profile of Transit Officer Kolten Missamore
2/11 – Profile of Training Instructor Jeff DeMers
2/5 – profile of Jared Babbitt Receiving Clerk
2/5 – Vaccine Eligibility Guidance
2/1 – Vaccine Incentive Policy
1/28 – profile of Cassie Williams Transportation Supervisor
1/22 – Safety Notice #11
1/21 – profile of Holly Kent Paratransit Reservationist
1/14 – profile of Tara Limon Associate Transit Planner
1/12 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Situation Update #10 Immunizations
1/8 – Profile of Tim Elmer Network Administrator
12/31 – Profile of Customer Service Representative Jackie McGee
12/23 – Profile of Operations Specialist Mike Hill
12/16 – Profile of Paratransit Van Operator Cody Young
12/9 – Profile of Transit Officer Tom Barber
12/2 – Profile of Vehicle Maintenance Cleaner Richard Martin
11/25 Profile of Foreman Brian Bale
11/19 – Profile of Paratransit Van Operator Jeff Ryan
11/12 – Profile of STA’s Executive Assistants
11/5 – Profile of Paratransit Supervisor Lance Durbin
11/3 — COVID-19 Safety Update #9
10/29 — Profile of Training Instructor Mel Figuracion
10/22 — Profile of Senior Data Technician Damian Fleskes
10/7 — Profile of Capital Project Manager Ryan Brodwater
9/30 — Profile of Fixed Route Operator Charlene Gresham
9/23 — Profile of Fixed Route Lead Ron Scouton
9/16 — Profile of Paratransit Van Operator Anjie Hughes
9/9 — Profile of Transporation Supervisor Eric Woods
9/3 — Profile of Paratransit Van Operator Karl Larson
8/26 — Profile of Customer Service Representative Lonnie Olson
8/19 — Profile of Coach Operator Dave Schultheis
8/11— Profile of Paratransit Reservationist Toby Herman
8/5 — Profile of Coach Operator Shannon Kessler
7/29 — Updated Spokane Transit Health & Safety Procedures: COVID-19 Response
7/29 — Profile of Vanpool Coordinator Emily Courchaine
7/23 — Profile of Coach Operator Colleen Quintana
7/15 — Profile of Coach Operator Liz Adam
7/7 — Profile of Paratransit Dispatcher Januari Brown
7/2 — Profile Of Customer Service and Plaza Operations Manager Jenni Knoll
6/24 — Profile of Paratransit Operator Alex Henry
6/19 — Profile of Coach Operator Jabriel Pumarejo
6/13 — STA to Resume Fare Collection and Front Door Boarding July 1
6/11 — Profile of STA’s Purchasing Department
6/9 — STA to resume Express Service June 15
6/4 —Profile of STA Lead Customer Service Representative Trish Gainer
5/28 — Profile of STA Transit Officer Mike DeConto
5/20 — Profile of Building Maintenance Specialist Frank English
5/14 — Profile of Paratransit Van Operator Brandi Pool
5/7 — Profile of Employee Benefits Specialist Lisa Duffin
5/1 — Profile of Sacred Heart’s Behind-the-Scenes Essential Workers
4/30 — Spokane Transit Health & Safety Procedures (updated version here)
4/30 — Profile of Fixed Route Supervisor Raff Hairston
4/22 — Profile of Network Administrator Ben Liebhaber
4/16 — Profile of Coach Operator Justin Martinez
4/1 — STA announces a temporary service reduction will go into effect on April 6. Read the full text of the announcement
4/1 — CEO memo on confirmed coronavirus case.
3/27 — STA Coronavirus Communications Summary March 20-27
3/27 — Non-essential public meetings scheduled for April are cancelled. See the list here.
3/27 — STA gives updates and answers questions at the Spokane COVID-19 Response daily briefing.1
3/27 — Saftey Notice #5
3/27 — STA Coronavirus Communications Summary March 20-27
3/27 — Non-essential public meetings scheduled for April are cancelled. See the list here.
3/27 — HR is not longer accepting physical copies of doctor’s notes or leave paperwork. Please email to hrhelpdesk@spokanetransit.com or have your provider fax it to (509) 343-1689. Forms are available here.
3/27 — STA gives updates and answers questions at the Spokane COVID-19 Response daily briefing.
3/27 — New information for STA employees on paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
3/26 — STA announces plan to replace value of 7-day and 31-day passes for customers holding passes while fare collection has been suspended.
3/26 — Temporary emergency practices go into effect.
3/25 — New resources for STA employees on managing stress, talking to children and teens, and how the Employee Assistance Program can help.
3/24 — STA CEO E. Susan Meyer signs an Emergency Proclamation with temporary emergency practices going into effect March 25, including suspended fares, rear-door boarding and Rides for Seniors.
3/23 — Gov. Inslee’s ’s Final, Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers document, and an earlier Homeland Security Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce.
3/21 — The gym at the STA Boone campus is closed until further notice, to be in compliance with orders from Governor Inslee.
3/20 — Safety Notice #4
3/20 — Communications Summary March 14 – 20
3/19 — CEO E. Susan Meyer’s letter on N95 masks for STA employees
3/19 — Insurance coverage for COVID-19
3/17 — Employee Attendance Program Memo
3/17 — Memo from Chief Operations Officer
3/16 — STA Employee Coronavirus FAQ
3/13 — Safety Notice #3
3/13 — Communications Summary March 9 – 13
3/9 — Safety Notice #2
3/9 — Communications Summary Feb 28 – March 9
2/28 — Safety Notice #1