Karl Otterstrom
@pedestrianman.bsky.social
Nothing pedestrian about making better communities through public transportation. Honored to lead Spokane Transit as CEO.
In other new, Spokane Transit was recently accepted as a transit agency member of @nacto.bsky.social!
STA has long benefited from their resources for bus stop design. Membership is next level collaboration.
nacto.org/latest/nacto...
STA has long benefited from their resources for bus stop design. Membership is next level collaboration.
nacto.org/latest/nacto...
NACTO Welcomes Five Cities and Transit Agencies as New Members - NACTO
Belgrade, Montana; the Jacksonville Transportation Authority; the Montgomery Department of Transportation; the Spokane Transit Authority; and the Toronto Transit Commission join network of more than 1...
nacto.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:07 PM
In other new, Spokane Transit was recently accepted as a transit agency member of @nacto.bsky.social!
STA has long benefited from their resources for bus stop design. Membership is next level collaboration.
nacto.org/latest/nacto...
STA has long benefited from their resources for bus stop design. Membership is next level collaboration.
nacto.org/latest/nacto...
Reposted by Karl Otterstrom
Spokane Transit just bought Transit app’s premium tier subscription (Royale) for every resident.
Our small city’s transit agency is punching waaaaay above its weight
www.spokanetransit.com/press-releas...
Our small city’s transit agency is punching waaaaay above its weight
www.spokanetransit.com/press-releas...
STA Partners With Transit App to Bring Premium Trip-Planning Features to Local Riders - Spokane Transit Authority
Spokane Transit is announcing a new partnership with Transit App, one of the world’s most popular apps for navigating cities by bus, walking, or biking.
www.spokanetransit.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Spokane Transit just bought Transit app’s premium tier subscription (Royale) for every resident.
Our small city’s transit agency is punching waaaaay above its weight
www.spokanetransit.com/press-releas...
Our small city’s transit agency is punching waaaaay above its weight
www.spokanetransit.com/press-releas...
Reposted by Karl Otterstrom
Great overview of Illinois’ just-passed transit bill, which sets a national standard by combining:
—New funds to meaningfully improving service
—Coordination of planning & fares across agencies
—Action on TOD through elimination of parking rules & mechanism for transit agencies to lead projects
—New funds to meaningfully improving service
—Coordination of planning & fares across agencies
—Action on TOD through elimination of parking rules & mechanism for transit agencies to lead projects
Here's a quick and dirty one-page overview of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority legislation that the Illinois General Assembly passed early this morning. Reply w/questions. Link to bill: ilga.gov/documents/le...
October 31, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Great overview of Illinois’ just-passed transit bill, which sets a national standard by combining:
—New funds to meaningfully improving service
—Coordination of planning & fares across agencies
—Action on TOD through elimination of parking rules & mechanism for transit agencies to lead projects
—New funds to meaningfully improving service
—Coordination of planning & fares across agencies
—Action on TOD through elimination of parking rules & mechanism for transit agencies to lead projects
Good morning from Transit Town! I ran down the hill fast enough to have the opportunity to observe the 5:20 am pulse of buses that extend across the region. The added bus trips that come in at 5:15 am have injected more ridership into this pulse.
October 24, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Good morning from Transit Town! I ran down the hill fast enough to have the opportunity to observe the 5:20 am pulse of buses that extend across the region. The added bus trips that come in at 5:15 am have injected more ridership into this pulse.
The reserved CEO parking spot is no more. The stall is now reserved for the monthly employee recognition award winner, with an comparable alternative benefit for winners who don't drive.
October 21, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The reserved CEO parking spot is no more. The stall is now reserved for the monthly employee recognition award winner, with an comparable alternative benefit for winners who don't drive.
More housing now available near transit! 96 units total where my kids and I used to cut through the forest between our home and the transit station.
October 2, 2025 at 2:53 PM
More housing now available near transit! 96 units total where my kids and I used to cut through the forest between our home and the transit station.
Another great morning to be a bus rider in Spokane. #WeekWithoutDriving
September 30, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Another great morning to be a bus rider in Spokane. #WeekWithoutDriving
Just another morning on the Spokane Transit Route 4. Transit moves community.
September 26, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Just another morning on the Spokane Transit Route 4. Transit moves community.
I caught the inaugural run of the first 4 Monroe Regal bus that begins at 4:52 am.
September 22, 2025 at 12:13 PM
I caught the inaugural run of the first 4 Monroe Regal bus that begins at 4:52 am.
Reposted by Karl Otterstrom
It’s difficult to put numbers on the total economic cost of an increasingly erratic water cycle but single flood events last year caused billions in damages, Stefan Uhlenbrook, a lead author of the report, said. https://cnn.it/3IhoS5E
September 18, 2025 at 10:01 AM
It’s difficult to put numbers on the total economic cost of an increasingly erratic water cycle but single flood events last year caused billions in damages, Stefan Uhlenbrook, a lead author of the report, said. https://cnn.it/3IhoS5E
Studying up for the next time I bus home from the airport. Thw journey since 1300 Eastern: MBTA Silver Line->BOS✈️->DEN->GEG->60🚍->4🚍->🏠
September 18, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Studying up for the next time I bus home from the airport. Thw journey since 1300 Eastern: MBTA Silver Line->BOS✈️->DEN->GEG->60🚍->4🚍->🏠
Final run in Boston started before 5am and ended nine miles later in Cambridge, with the return trip made possible by the Red Line and the Silver Line. A great way to see the city and its transit while attending the American Public Transportation Association's Transform Conference.
September 17, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Final run in Boston started before 5am and ended nine miles later in Cambridge, with the return trip made possible by the Red Line and the Silver Line. A great way to see the city and its transit while attending the American Public Transportation Association's Transform Conference.
Jerome is clearly referring to Spokane. 😎
A city's public transportation is a snapshot of its success. When the doctor, janitor, student, and CEO all ride the same bus, you know it's a city for everyone.
September 16, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Jerome is clearly referring to Spokane. 😎
Approaching go live date! I got my own copy of the new system map today and it's 😍. Study up on the new routes and schedules here:
Spokanetransit.com/change
Spokanetransit.com/change
September 12, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Approaching go live date! I got my own copy of the new system map today and it's 😍. Study up on the new routes and schedules here:
Spokanetransit.com/change
Spokanetransit.com/change
Reposted by Karl Otterstrom
#WeekWithoutDriving is coming up. Are you ready to join us?
Don't get behind the wheel
Charlottesville is challenging residents go a Week Without Driving from Sept. 29 to Oct. 5th.
www.cbs19news.com
September 12, 2025 at 6:20 PM
#WeekWithoutDriving is coming up. Are you ready to join us?
Reposted by Karl Otterstrom
A cool natural experiment using cellphone data finds that, when people relocate to more walkable areas, they walk more and are more active. Why does this matter? Because many related studies were affected by self-selection bias, where people who like to walk might choose to live in walkable places
Countrywide natural experiment links built environment to physical activity - Nature
By analysing the smartphone data of 2,112,288 participants, in particular observing and comparing the activity of the same individual in two different environments, we find that increases in the walka...
www.nature.com
September 11, 2025 at 10:12 PM
A cool natural experiment using cellphone data finds that, when people relocate to more walkable areas, they walk more and are more active. Why does this matter? Because many related studies were affected by self-selection bias, where people who like to walk might choose to live in walkable places
I choose transit most opportunities I get when traveling between work meetings. It is extremely valuable for experiencing the built environment as a bus rider, engaging with employees, and witnessing firsthand how transit moves community.
September 5, 2025 at 6:42 PM
I choose transit most opportunities I get when traveling between work meetings. It is extremely valuable for experiencing the built environment as a bus rider, engaging with employees, and witnessing firsthand how transit moves community.
Reposted by Karl Otterstrom
My Eastside Transit Map has been updated with new routes connecting to the 2 Line and other service changes that took effect on Saturday, August 30. Updates to the companion bike & bus map coming soon!
Greater Eastside Transit Map
a schematic map showing transit service on the Eastside of Seattle by Oran Viriyincy
seattletransitmap.com
September 1, 2025 at 5:07 AM
My Eastside Transit Map has been updated with new routes connecting to the 2 Line and other service changes that took effect on Saturday, August 30. Updates to the companion bike & bus map coming soon!
Reposted by Karl Otterstrom
Thanks for the shout-out, Karl! Not sure I ever expected this map to be a substitute for Strava :-)
For those that are interested, here's my project page for this diagram of Spokane's streetcars in 1912: transitmap.net/electric-rai...
For those that are interested, here's my project page for this diagram of Spokane's streetcars in 1912: transitmap.net/electric-rai...
August 31, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Thanks for the shout-out, Karl! Not sure I ever expected this map to be a substitute for Strava :-)
For those that are interested, here's my project page for this diagram of Spokane's streetcars in 1912: transitmap.net/electric-rai...
For those that are interested, here's my project page for this diagram of Spokane's streetcars in 1912: transitmap.net/electric-rai...
I just caught what I expect to be my last bus ride for the day. Half of the rides are associated with touring the system with several elected officials in Spokane Valley.
🚍🚍In chronological order:
1
4
4
21
23
190
9
94
32
34
9
9
34
🚏
🚍🚍In chronological order:
1
4
4
21
23
190
9
94
32
34
9
9
34
🚏
August 29, 2025 at 11:53 PM
I just caught what I expect to be my last bus ride for the day. Half of the rides are associated with touring the system with several elected officials in Spokane Valley.
🚍🚍In chronological order:
1
4
4
21
23
190
9
94
32
34
9
9
34
🚏
🚍🚍In chronological order:
1
4
4
21
23
190
9
94
32
34
9
9
34
🚏
This morning's pre-dawn run primarily followed old streetcar lines. 🧵
August 29, 2025 at 2:49 PM
This morning's pre-dawn run primarily followed old streetcar lines. 🧵
Reposted by Karl Otterstrom
It’s hard to explain just how pleasant a trolleybus is until you’ve ridden one.
So quiet.
No engine growl or vibration.
Jjust a gentle whirrr.
Strong AC or heat.
Excellent acceleration on hills.
And a smooth ride, in a sort of gliding way that’s hard to describe.
So quiet.
No engine growl or vibration.
Jjust a gentle whirrr.
Strong AC or heat.
Excellent acceleration on hills.
And a smooth ride, in a sort of gliding way that’s hard to describe.
August 26, 2025 at 4:52 AM
It’s hard to explain just how pleasant a trolleybus is until you’ve ridden one.
So quiet.
No engine growl or vibration.
Jjust a gentle whirrr.
Strong AC or heat.
Excellent acceleration on hills.
And a smooth ride, in a sort of gliding way that’s hard to describe.
So quiet.
No engine growl or vibration.
Jjust a gentle whirrr.
Strong AC or heat.
Excellent acceleration on hills.
And a smooth ride, in a sort of gliding way that’s hard to describe.