Karl Otterstrom
@pedestrianman.bsky.social
Nothing pedestrian about making better communities through public transportation. Honored to lead Spokane Transit as CEO.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
🚏
A good run in a great place. I love this town.
August 29, 2025 at 2:49 PM
A good run in a great place. I love this town.
Ended my run at Hamilton Street and Illinois Avenue. I was there to meet an old Twitter acquaintance. The original electric streetcar, Ross Park Electric Railway, helped define this intersection, 136 years ago.
August 29, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Ended my run at Hamilton Street and Illinois Avenue. I was there to meet an old Twitter acquaintance. The original electric streetcar, Ross Park Electric Railway, helped define this intersection, 136 years ago.
The final line of the morning was the Indiana line. It made a jog onto Baldwin Avenue, no doubt to set up the best path for crossing Hamilton Street.
August 29, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The final line of the morning was the Indiana line. It made a jog onto Baldwin Avenue, no doubt to set up the best path for crossing Hamilton Street.
I then deviated for a bit to follow Ruby Street, a safer course for on foot, before rejoin the Astor Line. The line used to pass by the west side of Gonzaga University Campus, which ahs since absorbed several blocks traveled by the old car line.
August 29, 2025 at 2:49 PM
I then deviated for a bit to follow Ruby Street, a safer course for on foot, before rejoin the Astor Line. The line used to pass by the west side of Gonzaga University Campus, which ahs since absorbed several blocks traveled by the old car line.
I then headed north on Division Street, a path for multiple streetcar lines. 115 years ago this river crossing was the site of a tragic bridge failure, killing five who had been on the streetcar, injuring many others. Read more at @historylink.bsky.social www.historylink.org/File/7642
August 29, 2025 at 2:49 PM
I then headed north on Division Street, a path for multiple streetcar lines. 115 years ago this river crossing was the site of a tragic bridge failure, killing five who had been on the streetcar, injuring many others. Read more at @historylink.bsky.social www.historylink.org/File/7642
I then turned east along Main Avenue, a segment of the first electric streetcar in Spokane, and now the first battery electric bus rapid transit line in Washington State.
August 29, 2025 at 2:49 PM
I then turned east along Main Avenue, a segment of the first electric streetcar in Spokane, and now the first battery electric bus rapid transit line in Washington State.
After stair-stepping from Rockwood Blvd to Washington Street, I jumped on the route of the Liberty Park line at 4th Avenue, then continued into the heart of the old network following Howard Street. Map by @transitmap.net
August 29, 2025 at 2:49 PM
After stair-stepping from Rockwood Blvd to Washington Street, I jumped on the route of the Liberty Park line at 4th Avenue, then continued into the heart of the old network following Howard Street. Map by @transitmap.net
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. 🧵
Waiting for the 97 and contemplating my second week on the job. So much work to do in building up transit, community and the people. Grateful for so many rooting for our collective success.
August 23, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Waiting for the 97 and contemplating my second week on the job. So much work to do in building up transit, community and the people. Grateful for so many rooting for our collective success.
There are probably easier ways to reach the bus stop.
August 19, 2025 at 1:54 PM
There are probably easier ways to reach the bus stop.
RapidRide
How it started.
How it's going.
How it started.
How it's going.
August 18, 2025 at 3:28 PM
RapidRide
How it started.
How it's going.
How it started.
How it's going.
Heading to the WA State Public Transportation Conference in SeaTac! Looking forward to both my intercity bus adventure and the great learning and development opportunities.
August 17, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Heading to the WA State Public Transportation Conference in SeaTac! Looking forward to both my intercity bus adventure and the great learning and development opportunities.