CHENEY - Spokane Transit Authority has discontinued four bus routes to Cheney until the fall.
Spokeswoman Carly Cortright said that during a meeting on June 15 the bus service decided to suspend express routes 661, 662, 663 and 664, which primarily serves Eastern Washington University.
"There is still bus service to Cheney, and the express routes will be back up in September," Cortright said, noting the service will restart Sept. 20.
"We assessed the factors that were the most likely to cause service interruptions, delays or route cancellations and decided that cancelling these routes would be the best way to alleviate that risk during the next few months," Cortright said.
Eastern was given advanced notice to minimize disruptions, she said.
A factor in the decision is the July 15 of the City Line system in Spokane.
"This will be the first 'rapid-line' service in Spokane," she said. "It is intended to transport large volumes of people rapidly through the center of Spokane city.
"We have to train drivers to operate the new buses in preparation. So, the temporary reduction in drivers will be a factor in managing routes."
In addition, an increase in sick time being used and other factors indicated that a shortage would be coming.
Lucas is a former Cheney Free Press managing editor. He is a nationally published author who contributes regularly to several publications across the country.
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