Karl Otterstrom
@pedestrianman.bsky.social
Nothing pedestrian about making better communities through public transportation. Honored to lead Spokane Transit as CEO.
Reposted by Karl Otterstrom
The U.S. Government Accountability Office reports that public transportation can reduce airport road congestion, benefiting travelers, airline workers, and airport staff.
The study reviews public transit availability, use, and strategies at 51 airports.
aptapassengertransport.com/gao-reports-...
The study reviews public transit availability, use, and strategies at 51 airports.
aptapassengertransport.com/gao-reports-...
GAO Reports That Public Transit Can Help Reduce Airport Road Congestion - Passenger Transport
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on Accessing Airports: Available Public Transit Options and Efforts to Promote Their Use. The report reviews public transit availabili...
aptapassengertransport.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:21 PM
The U.S. Government Accountability Office reports that public transportation can reduce airport road congestion, benefiting travelers, airline workers, and airport staff.
The study reviews public transit availability, use, and strategies at 51 airports.
aptapassengertransport.com/gao-reports-...
The study reviews public transit availability, use, and strategies at 51 airports.
aptapassengertransport.com/gao-reports-...
Myst - Spokane Edition
February 5, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Myst - Spokane Edition
Reposted by Karl Otterstrom
Where is transit expansion happening around the world? Basically everywhere!
Brand new on The Transport Politic: The hundreds of metro, light rail, bus, & aerial tram projects planned to open in 2026. 🛤️ 🚋 🚌
www.thetransportpolitic.com/2026/01/20/t...
Brand new on The Transport Politic: The hundreds of metro, light rail, bus, & aerial tram projects planned to open in 2026. 🛤️ 🚋 🚌
www.thetransportpolitic.com/2026/01/20/t...
January 20, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Where is transit expansion happening around the world? Basically everywhere!
Brand new on The Transport Politic: The hundreds of metro, light rail, bus, & aerial tram projects planned to open in 2026. 🛤️ 🚋 🚌
www.thetransportpolitic.com/2026/01/20/t...
Brand new on The Transport Politic: The hundreds of metro, light rail, bus, & aerial tram projects planned to open in 2026. 🛤️ 🚋 🚌
www.thetransportpolitic.com/2026/01/20/t...
On my way to the Cheney City Council meeting. From the top deck!
January 14, 2026 at 1:31 AM
On my way to the Cheney City Council meeting. From the top deck!
Reaching the first meeting of the day included riding City Line and crossing the Spokane River on the Iron Bridge. Positive momentum for my day.
January 8, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Reaching the first meeting of the day included riding City Line and crossing the Spokane River on the Iron Bridge. Positive momentum for my day.
Reposted by Karl Otterstrom
Sorry, but triumphant claims about autonomous vehicle safety are wildly exaggerated.
It's an open question whether today’s self-driving cars are any safer than those driven by humans.
And if reducing crashes is the goal, that isn’t even the right question.
My deep dive, in Bloomberg 🧵
It's an open question whether today’s self-driving cars are any safer than those driven by humans.
And if reducing crashes is the goal, that isn’t even the right question.
My deep dive, in Bloomberg 🧵
We Still Don’t Know if Robotaxis Are Safer Than Human Drivers
And even if self-driving technology proves to be less dangerous, there are many better ways to improve traffic safety and prevent fatal crashes.
www.bloomberg.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Sorry, but triumphant claims about autonomous vehicle safety are wildly exaggerated.
It's an open question whether today’s self-driving cars are any safer than those driven by humans.
And if reducing crashes is the goal, that isn’t even the right question.
My deep dive, in Bloomberg 🧵
It's an open question whether today’s self-driving cars are any safer than those driven by humans.
And if reducing crashes is the goal, that isn’t even the right question.
My deep dive, in Bloomberg 🧵
I logged 762 bus trips on Spokane Transit buses in 2025, a 13.9% increase over 2024, and my highest post-COVID personal ridership. I rode 36 different routes over the course of 241 days of riding. Lots of opportunities to experience the service, see how it can improve, and thank our drivers!
January 3, 2026 at 4:53 AM
I logged 762 bus trips on Spokane Transit buses in 2025, a 13.9% increase over 2024, and my highest post-COVID personal ridership. I rode 36 different routes over the course of 241 days of riding. Lots of opportunities to experience the service, see how it can improve, and thank our drivers!
My final transit ride of 2025! Will have my personal annual ridership report out this weekend. It was a good year for me on Spokane Transit's buses.
January 1, 2026 at 1:38 AM
My final transit ride of 2025! Will have my personal annual ridership report out this weekend. It was a good year for me on Spokane Transit's buses.
I was able to use a vending machine to make donations to local non-profit organizations today. And of course, my vending order included bus passes. A great way to make giving simple and fun. Available at the Spokane Valley Mall through January 1 by the food court.
December 28, 2025 at 12:35 AM
I was able to use a vending machine to make donations to local non-profit organizations today. And of course, my vending order included bus passes. A great way to make giving simple and fun. Available at the Spokane Valley Mall through January 1 by the food court.
One salient point the author makes is that more robust service generates greater affordability for riders than fare free transit that operates less service when it means less funding overall.
2025 was brutal for US transit. Agencies faced budget deficits, flat ridership, and open hostility from the White House.
I wrote a series of stories outlining ways to help transit endure.
Lesson #1: Whatever you do, don’t cut service. Riders will leave – permanently.
Here are a few others 🧵
I wrote a series of stories outlining ways to help transit endure.
Lesson #1: Whatever you do, don’t cut service. Riders will leave – permanently.
Here are a few others 🧵
The Last Thing US Transit Agencies Should Do Now
Rising costs and widening deficits as pandemic aid runs out are challenging bus and train operators in many cities. But cutting service needs to be a last resort.
www.bloomberg.com
December 27, 2025 at 4:09 PM
One salient point the author makes is that more robust service generates greater affordability for riders than fare free transit that operates less service when it means less funding overall.
Good morning from my commute on the northbound 4.
December 26, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Good morning from my commute on the northbound 4.
Reposted by Karl Otterstrom
I've been looking through old state transit reports recently, and was astounded at the fact that in 1976 Washington's intercity bus network carried 30 million passengers, half as many as every transit agency in the state at that time. Spokane had nearly 40 daily one way trips to different cities.
December 26, 2025 at 1:55 AM
I've been looking through old state transit reports recently, and was astounded at the fact that in 1976 Washington's intercity bus network carried 30 million passengers, half as many as every transit agency in the state at that time. Spokane had nearly 40 daily one way trips to different cities.
One can dream. 79 years ago today, Santa delivered big time for Spokane.
December 25, 2025 at 6:09 PM
One can dream. 79 years ago today, Santa delivered big time for Spokane.
Reposted by Karl Otterstrom
WSDOT has some interesting concepts for expansions of existing Travel Washington bus routes, but I’d really like to see full cross-state connectivity as well as services spanning into Idaho, Montana, and B.C.
December 25, 2025 at 7:17 AM
WSDOT has some interesting concepts for expansions of existing Travel Washington bus routes, but I’d really like to see full cross-state connectivity as well as services spanning into Idaho, Montana, and B.C.
The buses were having a long-winter's nap when I dropped by to visit drivers, mechanics and dispatchers this Christmas morning before the first bus hit the road. 🎄🎅
December 25, 2025 at 2:35 PM
The buses were having a long-winter's nap when I dropped by to visit drivers, mechanics and dispatchers this Christmas morning before the first bus hit the road. 🎄🎅
All I want for Christmas is a robust intercity bus network, connecting Spokane to every sizable city within two hundred miles, including great interior cities of British Columbia, featuring multiple daily departures.
December 25, 2025 at 6:46 AM
All I want for Christmas is a robust intercity bus network, connecting Spokane to every sizable city within two hundred miles, including great interior cities of British Columbia, featuring multiple daily departures.
Happy Almost Christmas! Taking the day off but went for a run that brought me through the Plaza for an opportunity to greet employees and to capture a Christmas scene near Bay 6. 🎄
December 24, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Happy Almost Christmas! Taking the day off but went for a run that brought me through the Plaza for an opportunity to greet employees and to capture a Christmas scene near Bay 6. 🎄
Reposted by Karl Otterstrom
Year 1 data on congestion pricing in Manhattan…
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
December 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Year 1 data on congestion pricing in Manhattan…
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
With more APC data retrieved and processed from the coaches that operated on Saturday Dec. 13, ridership actually topped 20,000 that day. Transit really is an accelerant for downtown activation.
A vibrant downtown thrives on a robust transit network. 12/23/25 ridership topped 19,000, a first for Spokane Transit on a Saturday in the month of December.
Reports of downtown’s demise have been extraordinarily exaggerated.
December 17, 2025 at 5:51 PM
With more APC data retrieved and processed from the coaches that operated on Saturday Dec. 13, ridership actually topped 20,000 that day. Transit really is an accelerant for downtown activation.
The number of Avista Utilities customers without power grew from 3,800 at 5am to nearly 70,000 at 7:15am. Power was out around Manito Park and as pictured, 14th Ave at Grand Blvd when I passed by on northbound 4. Gusts remain problematic. Stay safe out there!
December 17, 2025 at 3:24 PM
The number of Avista Utilities customers without power grew from 3,800 at 5am to nearly 70,000 at 7:15am. Power was out around Manito Park and as pictured, 14th Ave at Grand Blvd when I passed by on northbound 4. Gusts remain problematic. Stay safe out there!
Detour induced by busted water main is showing up in @transit.app. Such a great added value to Spokane Transit riders to have some clarity during service disruptions.
December 16, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Detour induced by busted water main is showing up in @transit.app. Such a great added value to Spokane Transit riders to have some clarity during service disruptions.
A vibrant downtown thrives on a robust transit network. 12/23/25 ridership topped 19,000, a first for Spokane Transit on a Saturday in the month of December.
Reports of downtown’s demise have been extraordinarily exaggerated.
December 16, 2025 at 1:51 AM
A vibrant downtown thrives on a robust transit network. 12/23/25 ridership topped 19,000, a first for Spokane Transit on a Saturday in the month of December.
Reposted by Karl Otterstrom
The future of transportation isn’t the #Hyperloop* or self-driving cars. It’s the bus, the bike and the elevator. Via @slate.com.
AND it’s better land-use & infrastructure decisions, reprioritizing space & budgets, accessible streets, & smart pricing mechanisms.
*hyperloop was always a distraction
AND it’s better land-use & infrastructure decisions, reprioritizing space & budgets, accessible streets, & smart pricing mechanisms.
*hyperloop was always a distraction
The Future of Transportation Is Not the Hyperloop or the Self-Driving Car. It’s the Bus, the Bike, and the Elevator.
Getting people around in new, different ways relies mostly on technologies that we have had for a while.
slate.com
December 13, 2025 at 9:29 PM
The future of transportation isn’t the #Hyperloop* or self-driving cars. It’s the bus, the bike and the elevator. Via @slate.com.
AND it’s better land-use & infrastructure decisions, reprioritizing space & budgets, accessible streets, & smart pricing mechanisms.
*hyperloop was always a distraction
AND it’s better land-use & infrastructure decisions, reprioritizing space & budgets, accessible streets, & smart pricing mechanisms.
*hyperloop was always a distraction
While waiting for my bus at 8 o'clock at night is a good time to study and admire the GOAT Bus Network Diagram.
December 11, 2025 at 4:04 AM
While waiting for my bus at 8 o'clock at night is a good time to study and admire the GOAT Bus Network Diagram.