SPOKANE -- It's been three years since Spokane County voters rejected a proposed light rail, and now there's a new form of transportation being discussed. But some people say it's all happening behind closed doors.
When the light rail was up for a vote the first time in 2006, Avista did not support it. So a year and a half ago, the light rail organizers approached Spokane Transit Authority suggesting electric bus transit.
STA CEO Susan Meyer says the system would look a lot like light rail, but run on electricity and have wheels. Meyer also says without Avista, this project wouldn't be on the radar. Avista says it's only providing support.
STA is now working on securing land in the Downtown Spokane University District, and in Spokane Valley for the system. An analysis is about to be started to see how feasible it all is.
But critics and light rail supporters say this process is not happening in the public arena.
"Everything that we did in the light rail effort was done transparently. And that hasn't been the case with this," says light rail supporter Dick Raymond.
STA says the public will be more involved later this year when the plan is more solidified, and that the electric bus system will cost 1/6 of the price of light rail.
