Tag Archives: STA

An Embarrassing Moment on Public Transit

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It has now been nearly 100 days since the embarrassing incident occurred so I think the humiliation has lessened just enough that I can tell the story…

I have mentioned before that I ride the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) bus system to work most days. I have also mentioned that I have a superpower for sleeping anywhere at any time…including sitting up while riding the bus.

My vantage point most mornings when I am on the STA bus. On a particular one of these mornings in early February 2026 I had a very embarrassing episode.

Okay, anyway, on Feb. 3 I was on the Route 6 bus like usual en route to Cheney. After we took the Four Lakes exit, I thought I would shut my eyes for 10 minutes before the bus pulled up to my stop on the EWU campus. I had done this countless times before and it had never failed: When the bus would stop at Cheney High School (usually the last stop before my own stop) I would usually automatically snap out of any state of unconsciousness I was in. My body and mind just simply knew it was time to open my eyes.

It must have been because of the routine 3 a.m. mornings and the recent late nights because I didn’t wake up when we reached Cheney High School. Rather, I woke up to the words, “Sir, sir” as the bus driver brought me to consciousness.

For the first several seconds, I was massively confused. I didn’t know where I was and who was talking to me. But then I realized I was on the bus and it was the driver who was looking at me. I scanned around. I was the only person besides the driver on board.

I was still confused where I was and asked the driver for clarification. He told me we were right off campus. I looked out the window and saw Roos Field so I immediately had a reference point. We were in some lot that the busses must use at the end of routes.

The driver and I started apologizing to each other at the same time. For whatever reason he felt at fault that he didn’t catch me snoozing away in my seat as he made the last campus stop. I apologized profusely knowing full well that a grown man shouldn’t need to be awakened like a toddler.

I jumped off the bus, still a tad bit disoriented, and made the long walk to my office. I thought about what the other passengers must have thought when they exited the bus and saw me in my seat sleeping. I thought about the moment the bus driver realized he had a rider on board after completing the route. I thought about how my reliable senses weren’t so reliable in this very rare instance. The longer-than-usual stroll didn’t cleanse the embarrassment I felt the rest of the day (nor for the next few months).

That incident was definitely a fluke. Over the past several weeks I have still taken a 10-minute power nap while on the homestretch to campus without any additional issues with oversleeping. However, I do close my eyes with a little more caution than I did prior to Feb. 3. Don’t Blink.

Another One Rides The Bus

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Every university I have worked at has offered a special perk to its employees. At the University of Montana we received free football tickets, at Coastal Carolina University we enjoyed early release on summer Fridays, and at WSU I benefitted from a very liberal work-from-home schedule.

My favorite perk at Eastern Washington University? A bus pass.

I ride the 661 to the EWU campus a lot. I board the bus at the Jefferson Park and Ride in downtown Spokane.

My new employer provides faculty, staff, and students with a Spokane Transit Authority bus pass. With so many people living in Spokane and with EWU boasting a Spokane campus, it just makes sense for the university to encourage ridership on the STA routes that provide service to/from Cheney.

My vantage point most mornings when I am on the STA bus.

I have seized the opportunity. I try to take the bus 2-3 times per week as I capitalize on the dependability, sustainability, and, for the most part—comfort—that is offered. It serves as a happy arrangement in multiple respects…

First, it saves my vehicle from wear and tear. It is 27 miles from my home to my office. The bus stop where I board is 12 miles away at a park-and-ride in downtown Spokane. Thus, a normal 54-mile round trip for my Ford Escape is reduced to a 24-mile round trip. Sparing my car 30 miles per day adds up. It means less mileage, less gas, and less chance for an accident. It also eliminates driving for an extended time on I-90, my least favorite part of the commute.

Next, there is the convenience aspect. If you know anything about parking on a college campus, it can be scarce and expensive. Taking the bus has allowed me to bypass both those issues. When I use STA, I am dropped off at Eagle Station, the EWU-branded main campus bus plaza that is a convenient two-minute stroll to the building I work in. There is no stress, no driving around in circles, and no time drain.

The Eagle Station is the top bus stop on campus. It is a 2-minute walk to my office.

I also really appreciate the time I am given back that would otherwise be spent behind the wheel. A one-way trip from the park and ride to campus is 20 minutes. That means I have 40 minutes at my disposal on any given day I ride the bus. I use it to catch up on text messages, read the newspaper, check email, and format blog posts.

Finally, taking the bus just connects me better to EWU. Whether I am waiting at the stop or riding in my seat, I am surrounded by Eastern staff, faculty, and students. It has been a great way to solidify/build connections while reminding myself of the diverse EWU community.

It is hard not to smile when you are on the bus.

Thank you to Eastern Washington University for offering this option to all Eagles. Also, hats off to the bus drivers who are always so pleasant! Don’t Blink.