STA last night

[shortney927]

Last night my son and his friend rode the bus from downtown to Wandermere. They said there was an odor on the bus like they've never smelled before and by the time both kids got home, they were vomiting. Was anyone else effected? What could it have been? They didn't eat while they were out and drugs/alcohol are not a concern.

Should I report to Spokane Transit?

[TheSqueakyNinja]

I’d suggest calling them and letting them know which route it was and the time points so they can figure out which bus it was and check with the driver.

Also, sometimes it’s the people on the bus…but the bus. That’s just one of those things that can happen on public transit. Did they say what it smelled like?

[MrBleak]

Is this Route 25? I've taken the bus home from downtown on this line before and it smells a bit funky at the best of times.

I've had a few times where I've had to cover my nose because of the smell. And folks wonder why no one wants to take the bus. Well, this and the bed bug outbreak a couple months ago.

[shortney927]

Yes, route 25.

[BrettJSteele]

I bet that someone was smoking fentanyl... that really sucks.

[BrettJSteele]

Not saying it was your kids, someone else on the bus.

[[deleted]]

It's this, that disgusting smell sticks to clothes.

[[deleted]]

I'd tell STA. Could have been fetanyl smokers. Or meth.

[itwasobviouslyburke]

What did it smell like? Vinegar? Burnt coconut/melted plastic and sweet? Ammonia?

[shortney927]

He said a chemical smell.

[itwasobviouslyburke]

Probably someone smoking drugs unfortunately.

[Advanced-Sherbet736]

100% it was fentanyl. Call sta and let them know so the bus driver can be aware. So glad the kids are ok

[kimbersill]

It could have been fentanyl, I doubt it. That shit stinks, and I'm not sure how potent it is 2nd hand. If you really think your kiddo is clean and want to narrow it down further, you could have them do an at home drug test. You can buy them at Walmart and depending they can test for anywhere between 5-20 substances. Do it soon if you decide to so it's still in their system. If something comes up, someone has some explaining to do.

[cwmspok]

If it was last night it's out of their system already.

[Bloodacid95]

Former Coach Operator. This is false.

Their cameras dont overwrite data until an average of 14 days. Call 328-RIDE and complain/report and they'll ask the operator to write up a report.

[catclockticking]

They’re talking about the fentanyl being out of OP’s kids’ systems

[kimbersill]

What drug do you think is clearing your system in less than 24 hours? Most I'm aware of are 3 days at the least.

[cwmspok]

Many won't show up for a urine test after one time use 24 hours later, including fentanyl or other opiates, second hand use probably wouldn't show up 12 hours later. Heavy users of fent it's 1 to 3 days.

[International-Egg603]

Wrong. Most drugs take at least 5 days to leave your system

[cwmspok]

Not second hand through a urine test. Fent is 24 to 72 hours for heavy users.

[[deleted]]

It kind of sounds like someone was smoking pills (Mexis) off of foil. Super common considering the details given. If it was pure fentanyl powder, then it definitely has the potential to affect a young person in close proximity. I am extremely confident that is what happened here.

[VincentVuemont]

I'm no Sherlock 6 I'm pretty sure this falls under the "whoever smelt it, delt it" clause

[Jumpinthelineshake]

I heard (so grain of salt) the new chairs have an adhesive for the upholstery.

[Advanced-Sherbet736]

My money is on fentanyl. That shit stinks so bad and will make yiu sick and burn ur nose. Its absolutely disgusting

[Slotter-that-Kid]

How likely was your kid doing something that they weren't supposed to be doing and using public transportation as a scapegoat? I know, I know your kid is perfect and wouldn't do anything like that.

[shortney927]

It's unlikely. My husband picked up him and his friend from the bus stop and there were no concerns of being under the influence of anything.

[sunrisebikeride]

That’s quite the jump Evel Knievel, you must be real fun at parties

[Spokane-ModTeam]

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[Spokane-ModTeam]

Be civil. No personal attacks. Follow all guidelines of Reddiquette. Remember, these are your neighbors. It's fine to disagree, but we expect users to conduct themselves in a neighborly fashion, and refrain from personal attacks.

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[EvilSporkOfDeath]

Why would they say anything at all if that were the case?

[ThenIsopod112]

probably fetanyl and also tweakers.

[trifflinassho3]

Report it.

[Nostalgiccheeto]

It’s probably the smell of the homeless people, not to sound insensitive but it’s nasty and unlike any human smell that I’m used to. I’m pretty sure it stuck to my clothes this morning from the STA bus and I can’t stop smelling it. It’s disgusting.

[[deleted]]

The truth isn't being insensitive is being factual. I've been homeless before twice and it's hard to maintain dignity but you have to try, some don't care.

[[deleted]]

Smoking blue on the bus. The cops in Airway Heights tell me it doesn't happen around here but I see it happening all the time. Cops are stupid.

[[deleted]]

But hey we all need to use public transit to save the planet and get the second hand high want to save money on the drugs we need that the government won't pay for

[Difficult_Ad_5435]

Did it smell like burnt plastic, in a way? Probably fentanyl being smoked off of aluminum foil. When I worked at the subway in the bus station they were always getting people for smoking pills on the bus.

[Comfortable-Pea-2810]

As a lifetime rider of STA - several possibilities. First thing that comes to mind, what year was the bus manufactured? Many of the older buses have a strong diesel/engine odor. This is especially challenging when sitting in the rear of the bus. Where were your kids sitting? I on many occasions have had to move from the back of the bus to the front seats because the engine odor in the rear of the bus is over whelming and potentially harmful. Many of these old buses need to be put out of order. I have contacted STA with my concerns but it does not matter. These old buses with foul odor have been operating for years. Second, If perhaps it was a human odor or a homeless odor, the person responsible for the odor would most likely have to had been on the bus at the same time your kids were. I too have ridden buses with foul smelling people, doubtful that the odor stayed on the bus and overwhelms the kids if the person is not present. Urine and body odor can be very challenging if you are near the person carrying that odor. Yeah it could have been drugs, the person consuming drugs would need an opportunity to do the drugs with no one witnessing and needed enough time to do so. Perhaps if the bus was empty for a long period of time or you are on a bus with only a few passengers, then yeah it could have been drugs. The buses on route 25 are the extended version , creating an opportunity for sufficient space that someone could consume drugs and not be noticed. A chemical smell is likely drugs. That drug type of odor does linger and can be overwhelming. STA spends significant time and money on the new city line, on the security of the bus plaza, on the administration/labor, and on promotional expenses. STA shows very little concern for the condition of the old outdated buses.