VEHICLES
STA's Fleet
Our vehicles serve the Spokane region by facilitating millions of rides each year.
Operators are trained to handle all types of weather conditions, and are backed by teams across the agency that include mechanics, road crews and dispatchers. All maintenance of STA vehicles is done in-house, including body shop repairs, painting, engine and transmission rebuilds, and even upholstery refurbishing. Our buses typically travel over two million miles during their service life, will have had three engine and two transmission rebuilds, and several new paint jobs.
As of January, 2022, the STA fleet consists of 167 buses and 108 Paratransit vans. As more vehicles are added, STA continues to explore new zero emission technologies.
Vehicle Models
The STA fleet consists of 167 buses and 108 Paratransit vans. Click on a vehicle below to learn more.
Xcelsior CHARGE 60'
STA’s all-electric articulated Xcelsiors are exclusive to City Line, which will run from Browne’s Addition to Spokane Community College and connect downtown to the University District, including Gonzaga University.
These are STA’s first five-door buses with left-side boarding. They are also our first four-wheel drive buses. Three electric motors power the vehicles — one motor drives the rear wheels, and two motors for the center axle wheels.
The vehicle’s battery is located on the top of the vehicle. Charging is done by lowering copper-lined pantograph arms from overhead. The arms connect to copper rails on top of the bus and apply 5 lbs. of tension, triggering the flow of electricity into vehicle’s battery. This type of overhead charging is three times faster than traditional plug-in charging. STA has installed overhead charging stations on the Spokane Community College campus at the SCC Transit Center, and at STA’s Boone Northwest Garage.
The uniquely-branded City Line vehicles will begin service in 2023, but can occasionally be spotted on the streets now as they undergo testing and driver training. Learn more about City Line.
Propulsion
Electric
Vehicles
11
Length
60' 10"
Country of Origin
USA
Capacity
94
Weight
50,640 lbs.
Route
City Line
Manufacturer
New Flyer
Xcelsior CHARGE NG 60'
These battery-electric vehicles feature STA’s ‘blue wave’ design. They will be depot-charged in the Boone Northwest garage overnight, for service the following day. The vehicle’s battery is located on the top as well as in the rear of the vehicle offering an extended driving range with 520 kWh of battery capacity. STA expects the 60′ Xcelsior CHARGE NG to have a range of up to 152 miles on a single charge.
These are STA’s first articulated, blue wave buses with four-wheel drive. Three electric motors power the vehicles — one motor drives the rear wheels, and two motors for the center axle wheels. The electric-driven low-floor axle AVE 130 has been specially developed for drives in city buses based on an electric, independent wheel drive — offering particularly economical and significant resource-saving fuel savings in city traffic.
The vehicles will begin service following a thorough route assessment to determine where they can be put to optimal use.
Propulsion
Electric
Vehicles
3
Length
60' 10"
Country of Origin
USA
Capacity
115
Torque
2,066 lbs.
kWh Capactity
520
Manufacturer
New Flyer
Xcelsior CHARGE 40'
These battery-electric vehicles were the first to feature the STA’s new ‘blue wave’ design. They are powered by next generation high-energy batteries and charge at Moran Station and STA’s Boone Northwest Garage.
Charging can be done by overhead or plug-in, or by stepping on the brakes. Regenerative braking technology allows energy generated by braking to be redirected back to the vehicle’s batteries. Up to 30% of the power needed to operate the vehicle can come from regenerative braking. STA operators have found that during winter, all of the energy expended to heat the bus is gained back by normal application of the brakes.
STA’s 40-foot New Flyer Xcelsiors are exclusive to Route 4 Monroe-Regal.
Propulsion
Electric
Quantity
2
Length
40'
Country of Origin
USA
Capacity
84
Weight
32,500 lbs.
Route
4
Manufacturer
New Flyer
Xcelsior CHARGE 35'
These battery-electric vehicles feature STA’s new ‘blue wave’ design. These buses will be depot-charged in the Boone Northwest garage overnight, for service the following day.
The batteries have a 100% waterproof non-conductive reinforced composite casing and are mounted on the rooftop of the vehicle using a “plug and play” approach, lending simplicity and efficiency in design, install, and maintenance with minimized exposure to high-voltage electricity.
The electrification technology lowers operational costs and reduces emissions, with the absence of a traditional internal combustion engine. And, without the usual mechanical and exhaust noises, riders can enjoy a significantly quieter ride provided by an electric traction motor.
Propulsion
Electric
Quantity
3
Length
35'
Country of Origin
USA
Capacity
67
Torque
1,033 lbs.
kWh Capactity
440
Manufacturer
New Flyer
ZX5
Proterra ZX5’s have a range of up to 300-miles per charge and are the latest battery-electric vehicles to join the STA fleet. While ZX5’s have the same ‘blue wave’ livery design as STA’s Xcelsior all-electric 40′ buses, they can be identified by their flat, one-piece front windshield and classically-styled rear lights. They are also the only buses in the STA fleet with a rear window.
Another unique feature is the location of the battery on the bottom of the vehicle instead of the top. Charging can still be done from overhead as well as by plug-in, and takes place at Moran Station and STA’s Boone Northwest Garage.
ZX5’s went into service in late 2021 and serve Route 4.
Additional ZX5’s will soon be added to the STA fleet and will serve other routes. They will be equipped with next generation 675 kw/h ZX5MAX batteries, and will be able to travel up to 321 miles on a single charge.
Engine
Electric
Vehicles
2
Length
40'
Country of Origin
USA
Capacity
77
Weight
31,900 lbs.
Route
4
Manufacturer
Proterra
XD40
The New Flyer XD40 is Spokane Transit’s newest model of diesel buses in our fleet. These buses run on ultra-low sulfur diesel, reducing the impact of carbon emissions making them better for the environment than traditional diesel vehicles. The model also delivers a reduction in 8% fuel usage, reducing the overall cost to operate the vehicle and reducing the amount of exhaust produced.
These coaches weigh 8% less than previous models achieved through structure optimization and lighter-weight components, leading to improved efficiency and lower operating costs.
XD40’s can be seen in the traditional STA livery and a new ‘stars & stripes’ design implemented in 2022.
Propulsion
Diesel
Quantity
10*
Length
40' 2"
Country of Origin
USA
Capacity
42
Weight
25,000 lbs.
Wheelbase
283.75"
Manufacturer
New Flyer
Xcelsior 60' Artic
The beloved articulated STA bus seen on the streets since 1986. The first articulated STA buses were affectionately nicknamed “wiggle-wagons” by operators.
Buses added to the fleet beginning in 2017 are 61′; earlier models are 60′. With different generations of Xcelsior 60′ Articulated buses purchased by STA over two decades, design variations in the fleet include two and three-door versions and different windshield styling. They run primarily on Route 25 and Express routes where higher capacity is needed.
The main benefit of an articulated bus is the ability to hold a larger number of passengers, although some STA drivers say they are easier to drive because of the tighter turning radius.
Propulsion
Diesel
Quantity
20
Length
60', 61'
Country of Origin
USA
Capacity
123
Weight
41,000 lbs.
Wheelbase
302"
Manufacturer
New Flyer
Gillig 40' Hybrid
Gillig 40′ Hybrids went into service in 2007 and were STA’s first hybrid vehicles. Although they are electric-diesel hybrids and not true zero emission vehicles, they mark the beginning of STA’s move towards a creating a sustainable fleet.
Gillig 40′ Hybrids can be identified by the raised battery bed on the top of the rear of the vehicle. At speeds of 10 mph or slower, the bus uses low-torque power from the electrical drive system to move the bus. An onboard computer utilizes a series of sensors to accelerate the diesel engine at higher speeds.
Propulsion
Electric / Diesel
Quantity
25
Length
40'
Country of Origin
USA
Capacity
80
Weight
28,980 lbs.
Wheelbase
279"
Manufacturer
Gillig
Gillig 30' Hybrid
These hybrid vehicles are exclusive to STA’s ShuttlePark program and Route 12, and can be seen looping between the Spokane Arena and downtown.
While Gillig 30 Hybrids now have the standard STA livery design, until several years ago they were decorated with designs by local artists celebrating Spokane’s downtown culture.
Their shorter wheelbase allows for sharper turns on tight streets. Along with standard Gillig 30′, these are the shortest buses in the STA fleet.
Propulsion
Electric / Diesel
Quantity
3
Length
30'
Country of Origin
USA
Capacity
54
Weight
24,000 lbs.
Route
11, 12
Manufacturer
Gillig
Gillig 40'
A proven workhorse, Gillig 40’s were first introduced into STA’s fleet in 2006 and adorned with the classic ‘STA wave’ livery design. These were some of the first low floor buses purchased by STA, and offer easier boarding and alighting for people with mobility restrictions.
They remain the most common model of STA bus and are known for their durability and reliability, especially in snow and icy conditions.
In 2021, a Gillig 40′ was chosen to bring back the vintage livery design from the 1980’s for STA’s 40th anniversary.
Propulsion
Diesel
Quantity
99
Length
40'
Country of Origin
USA
Capacity
80
Weight
27,420 lbs.
Wheelbase
279"
Manufacturer
Gillig
Gillig 35'
These shorter Gilligs are scheduled to be phased out and gradually replaced with 40-foot coaches like the Proterra ZX5 and New Flyer XD40.
Propulsion
Diesel
Quantity
3
Length
35'
Country of Origin
USA
Capacity
72
Weight
25,720 lbs.
Wheelbase
235"
Manufacturer
Gillig
Gillig 30'
Riders on Routes 11 and 12 know Gillig 30’s on sight by their stubby appearance. Along with the hybrid version of this model, these are the shortest buses in the STA fleet.
Propulsion
Diesel
Quantity
3
Length
30'
Country of Origin
USA
Capacity
54
Weight
22,360 lbs.
Routes
11, 12
Manufacturer
Gillig
Transit Starcraft
Ford Starcrafts are known for their narrow chassis, few blind spots and overall ease of maneuverability.
Propulsion
Gas
Quantity
40
Length
23' 9"
Country of Origin
USA
Capacity
11
Weight
10,360 lbs.
Wheelbase
156"
Manufacturer
Ford
Aerotech
Chevy Aerotech’s are known for their excellent handling in snowy conditions. They also have great heating thanks to three strategically-located high-output heaters.
The entrance is considered one fo the easiest for passengers to navigate, thanks to a network of handrails mobility-challenged riders can use to pull themselves in.
Propulsion
Gas / Diesel
Quantity
28
Length
24'
Country of Origin
USA
Capacity
15
Weight
10,950 lbs.
Wheelbase
159"
Manufacturer
Chevrolet
Livery
Livery is a transit industry term referring to the paint or vinyl wrap design on a vehicle exterior.
Most STA vehicles currently in service have a traditional ‘STA wave’ livery inspired by the green, white and blue theme of the 1974 Expo World’s Fair held in Spokane. This design was originally envisioned with green elements at the bottom representing land, and blue elements above representing the sky. But when the livery was first applied to STA buses in the 1980’s, a vendor error resulted in the designed being flipped upside down with green on top and blue on the bottom. The livery proved popular with the public, and STA opted to make this ‘flipped’ livery the standard.
2021 saw new liveries as STA added zero emission vehicles to the fleet. An update to the traditional wave resulted in the new ‘blue wave’ seen on Route 4 all-electric buses. For City Line, STA designers created a unique livery inspired by the Lilac City and incorporating motion lines. And a livery from the 1980’s was brought back to commemorate STA’s 40th anniversary.
Spokane Transit's Zero Emission Future
STA began moving toward a zero emission fleet in 2007 with the purchase of the Spokane region’s first hybrid buses. Since then, the agency has studied multiple alternative fuel technologies and added three models of zero emission battery-electric buses to the fleet.
Zero emission technology offers both environmental benefits and a lower operation and maintenance cost over the life of the vehicle. As zero emission technologies continue to evolve, STA remains committed to pursuing sustainable fleet solutions.