iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Karl Otterstrom

American Public Transportation Association @apta-info.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Watch the live recording of Andy Byford, Special Advisor to the @amtrak.com Board, at TRANSform & #aptaEXPO > vimeo.com/1234088960 Byford has led some of the world’s most complex transportation organizations through periods of transformation and change in London, Toronto, and New York

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Began my Saturday before 5am and ran to Kendall Yards to return home by catching the first southbound 4 just after 6am. It was fairly full bus, with folks no doubt heading to jobs across the region.

Photo of the STA Plaza Bay 6 shelter, with prominent signage at the top of the photo and the side of the bus reflected on the panes of the shelter glass.

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Reposted by Karl Otterstrom

American Public Transportation Association @apta-info.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Public transit is one of America’s smartest investments. It creates jobs and keeps the economy moving. The Continuing Resolution cuts the investment to keep public transit and passenger rail in good repair. Restore the funding to keep America moving > apta.com/transitimpact #ThatsTransit #aptaEXPO

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Here's your invitation to take the bus for National Week without Driving!

Advertisement: "Until you learn the rope trick to park your car... It's Easier to Go By Bus! To find parking space for your car in downtown Spokane is no joke, of course. So, let's be serious --- and
SENSIBLE! Go by City Lines bus --- quickly, safely, economically ---
when you go downtown to work or to shop ... Avoid parking problems ..cut short the long walk to and from parking place (when and if you find one) .. .take no chances with downtown traffic hazards --- go by bus, with less fuss!"

. . Avoid parking
cut short the long

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

A fire btoke out in an apartment building early this morning and Spokane Transit was called on to help shelter in place residents. I got my morning run in to come down to say thanks to the coach operator and supervisor who were on scene.

A blue articulated bus in front of a five story brick apartment building.

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The Spokane Transit Route 307 is new event-oriented route to serve the Course in Spokane Valley on select Saturdays. It comes with its own transit-only road for over a half mile!

The view of Flora Pit Road from inside a Spokane Transit bus.

The Course with hundred+ runners ready to start.

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The family and I saw Ponyo at the Garland Theater tonight. Waiting for the 4 to head downtown for dinner at the most transit oriented tacos in town at Cochinito!

Spokane Transit High Performance (HPT) marker for Route with the Garland Theater in the background.

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Neighborhood art on display at the bus stop.

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Riding the southbound 4 on an early Friday morning from the Plaza. Such a marked growth in passenger activity over the years that follows improvements to early morning service and connectivity.

Strava activity log showing running route to the STA Plaza.

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

The inset map It has been there and I don't think anything changed with it. I may have worded my question a bit awkwardly. Service improvements indicated on the updated include the extension of Route 36 to an area heretofore unserved by buses, and "STA Link" labels in areas with new on-demand svc.

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Latest iteration of Spokane Transit's system map. Can you spot the improvements?

A photo of the system map kiosk inside the Spokane Transit Plaza, with a bank of monitors above and the elevator in the background

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

In between my first bus rides in Rochester, New York.

Inside view of the RTS Transit Center in Rochester, NY

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Concentrating more agency business downtown is both an activation measure as well as a tack to advance continuous improvement as more employees will use transit for their daily commute. 2/2

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

We are very fortunate to have the Plaza and to have elected officials that have consistently committed to retaining transit in the heart of Spokane. 1/2

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

This morning's transit journey began at 4:53am in Tacoma. I should arrive in Snohomish by 7:30am. ST590 -> ST1 -> ST512 -> CT271

A view of Interstate 5 from the lower level of a double decker bus on Sound Transit 512

The sun rises over Lynnwood Transit Center

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Reposted by Karl Otterstrom

Transportation Choices Coalition @transpochoices.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

The Yes for Buses campaign in Spokane has officially declared victory! Despite an opposition campaign that raised more than $288,000 from a few wealthy donors, voters renewed a sales tax to keep STA's buses and paratransit running for working people, students, seniors, and people with disabilities

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Heading out of town to Tacoma for the Washington State Public Transportation conference organized by the state transit association and @wsdot.wa.gov. Traveling by intercity bus!

Front walkway and entrance to the Spokane Intermodal Center, housed in the original Northern Pacific station in downtown Spokane.

Author ready to board the Northwestern Trailways bus.

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Great history. Thanks for your significant contributions to its successful implementation!

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Reposted by Karl Otterstrom

Ben Ross @benrosstransit.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Not a ballot measure, but in the course of the many years of battle over the Maryland Purple Line, the opponents outspent the proponents by at least 10 to 1, possibly closer to 100 to 1. We won, and construction is now 90% complete with test trains running on more than half of the track..

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Another way to ask, what states have more favorable governance structures for urban and rural transit that produces higher service hours per capita than Washington?

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

How so? Spokane is around 48% of the PTBA population has 4/9 votes. Fairly proportional (following mid 2010s statutory update). 7 board members voted in favor in placing Prop 1 on the ballot. 3 in jurisdictions where the measure is failing.

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Reposted by Karl Otterstrom

Erik Lowe @eriklowe.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

When it's all said and done, the "No" campaign will have outspent the "Yes" campaign nearly 3 to 1.

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Waiting for Monday for that. Last two daily tallies have been 55% in favor and margin is now over 3.5%.

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Can anyone identify a local transit ballot measure that passed in spite of the opposition campaign spending significantly more $$ than the support campaign? I mean, other than Spokane Transit in 2026. @apta-info.bsky.social @humantransit.bsky.social @alonlevy.bsky.social

Preliminary election results map for the Spokane County Public Transportation Benefit Area. Map displays precincts and their percentage approval on the measure. Tallies through Augsut 7 and not the final certified results

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

This map also reflects the influence of an opposition campaign that, on a campaign dollar per vote basis, eclipses anything faced by Sound Transit in 2008 and 2016 by a factor of four or more. (mind you, the election has not yet been called, but still leaning toward approval)

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Thank you for your support. I'm not a expert in non-profit orgs but Innovia is a locally based foundation that works to advance many different local needs. They have a fund for this disaster setup: innovia.iphiview.com/innovia/Give...

innovia.iphiview.com

Account Information

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Good morning. The past 42 hours have been something. Spokane Transit has been assisting with evacuations, from the VA Hospital to assisted living and retirement centers as recent as this AM. Multiple employees have lost their homes. I appreciate the thoughts and prayers for Spokane.

Bus on Spokane Transit Route 4 approaches bus stop in a noticeable haze of wildfire smoke

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Reposted by Karl Otterstrom

Jarrett Walker @humantransit.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Most transport technology hype inadvertently advertises what a tiny number of passengers will be served. It wants you to imagine that you will get this convenience, but if everyone uses it, it won’t be like this at all. Nothing is more old-fashioned than transport tech hype.

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Reposted by Karl Otterstrom

Mattle @mattle.wtf · 25/07/2026

STA CEO Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social answers some questions from the public on transit agency operations, funding, and project planning. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyy0...

youtube.com

STA Voices • Karl Shares How Public Transit Works

YouTube video by Spokane Transit

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Reposted by Karl Otterstrom

kxly.com @kxly.com · 21/07/2026

The August 4 primary election is right around the corner, and if you're receiving campaign flyers in your mailbox with numbers jumping at you, it's important to know what is accurate.

kxly.com

Fact-check: What you need to know about Spokane's Proposition 1 sales tax renewal

SPOKANE, Wash. — The August 4 primary election is right around the corner, and if you're receiving campaign flyers in your mailbox with numbers jumping at you, it's important to

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Reposted by Karl Otterstrom

Vox @vox.com · 15/07/2026

America is having a soccer awakening. Can it have a transit one too? www.vox.com/future-perfe...

vox.com

The most surprising winner of the World Cup was American public transit

America is having a soccer awakening. Can it have a transit one too?

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Ascending the South Hill with four or five dozen of my fellow Americans and other great people. #Amwrica250

The author in a Spokane Transit Route 4 shirt while aboard a standing room only Route 4 Monroe Regal bus.

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

A picture-perfect evening for my family and tens of thousands of my fellow Spokanites to celebrate America in Riverfront Park this evening. #America250

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Motorist-oriented thinking: "why does a hardware store need bike parking?!" Me:

My bike chained up to a hardware store bike rack

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Reposted by Karl Otterstrom

Matt Hutchins AIA @matthutchins.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

“ …building homes near existing jobs, stores, and transit saves public dollars, in both up-front infrastructure and ongoing maintenance costs, and produces more revenue in property taxes per acre than local governments can expect from development at the edge of town.” www.pew.org/en/research-...

Bar chart showing initial cost reduction for infill versus sprawl

Bar chart showing infrastructure maintenance are less than half for Washington residents when we build new infill housing rather than sprawl

Bar chart showing higher property tax receipts per acre, helps keep property taxes down while paying off infrastructure investments faster

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Buses are on detour for Hoopfest 2026. Lots of good energy for street ball in Spokane.

STA Plaza Bay 6 shelter and 3-on3 basketball games in the background.

Sprague Avenue at the STA Plaza with a half dozen hoops in view.

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Thanks for the shout out. I learn a lot every trip I make. Heading out on routes outside my usual commute helps draw out more feedback and ideas from our operators and I get to experience firsthand improvements (and shortcomings) to the system.

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Before meeting up with Medical Lake Mayor Cooper and Council Member Speirs, I was able to ride my bike around to check on bus stop improvements and to take in parade preparations as part of the city's Founders Day festivities.

Spokane Transit bus stages on Lake Street before the Medical Lake Founders Day parade. Deck sign reads "Look Ma, I'm a parade float"

Floats staging before the Medical Lake Founders Day Parade.

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Seamless transfer at the West Plains Transit Center to Route Medical Lake. The 6 heading eastbound from Cheney had at least a dozen passengers alight and walk over to the 63 and 65.

The eastbound 6 and the 63 at the West Plains Transit Center.

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Rode my bike to catch a westbound 6 at its end-of-line in the Spokane University District. I will then transfer to 62 Medical Lake at the West Plains Transit Center. Three young men who boarded at the Plaza are likely also heading to Medical Lake—each had a fishing rod.

A double decker bus at the end of line of Spokane Transit Route 6 with the author's bicycle on the bike rack.

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

I am attending a forum on the state of energy in our region held at Gonzaga University this morning. I wonder if any other attendees will have arrived exclusively by foot and electric transit.

City Line bus departing from the stop at Gonzaga University

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Pilgrimage to the solitary @amtrak.com station in all of Idaho. Parking lot is evidence of the passenger activity that is confined to eastbound and westbound traffic converging between about 1am and 3am daily.

Sandpoint Idaho Amtrak Station with a freight train parked in the background

Doorway and signage on the Sandpoint Amtrak station, indicating train times and historic landmark info.

Photo of the interior of the Amtrak Station in Sandpoint.

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Reposted by Karl Otterstrom

David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Me: "Are Singaporean rail passengers wealthier than bus riders?" Singaporean friend: "Of course not. Transit is transit. Everybody rides everything." Me: *sighs in American*

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Karl Otterstrom @pedestrianman.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Pictures from some of today's connection points in which I had a seamless journey (🚶 🚍 ✈️ 🚉 🚍) to the @apta-info.bsky.social 2026 Mobility conference in SLC!

Bay 4, West Plains Transit Center after a lighting Route 6 Cheney to catch Route 63 Geiger to the Spokane International Airport.

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