# STA Connect > Mobile transit fare management for Spokane Transit Authority users. (iPhone/iPad app by Spokane Transit Authority.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sta-connect/id1644887930 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Spokane Transit Authority](https://appshunter.io/developer/1644887932) - Category: Travel - Price: Free - Rating: 2.30/5 from 40 App Store ratings · 31 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 13.0 · 44 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2022-10-01 - Data updated: 2026-08-30 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sta-connect/id1644887930/reviews.md ## What is STA Connect? The Spokane Transit Authority (STA) Connect app is packed full of features! With the STA Connect app you can: - Link a physical Connect card or create a virtual eConnect card - Add value or passes - Check your balance - View fare capping progress - Enable autoload - Lock lost or stolen cards - Manage payment methods - View card activity, including ride history Virtual eConnect cards are separate from physical Connect cards. eConnect cards are completely virtual and exist only in your mobile phone. Every card, whether physical or eConnect, has a unique 20 digit number, and that 20 digit number has its own separate balances and fare capping totals from any other Connect card number, even when linked within the same STA Connect app account profile. To add value to an eConnect or physical Connect card, simply add a credit or debit card to your Connect account, then add value to your cart and check out. With value added to your card, you are ready to ride! Please note that no refund can be given on funds loaded to a physical or eConnect card. When you board the bus, bring up the fare payment QR code and hold your phone approximately eight inches below the fare validator with the screen facing up. When your eConnect card has been validated and fare collected, you’ll hear a beep and see a green check mark. Riders with a Universal Transit Access Pass (UTAP) through a local university (e.g. EWU, Gonzaga, SCC, SFCC, Whitworth, or WSU Spokane), employer (e.g. City of Spokane or Spokane County), or other partner agency (e.g. Kendall Yards) can now link their UTAP to their virtual Connect card directly in the STA Connect app. Simply register with your UTAP email address and use the “Partner Agency” widget on the home screen to get started. Learn more about the Connect fare system at spokanetransit.com/connect/ ## Key features - Link physical or create virtual fare cards - Add value and passes - Check card balance - View fare capping progress - Enable autoload - Lock lost/stolen cards - Manage payment methods - View ride history ## Recent user reviews (10 of 31) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sta-connect/id1644887930/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Garbage app *2026-07-23, version 1.5.0* How am I supposed to use the app if I can’t even add a payment method? The screen just goes blank. It’s infuriating. I’ve missed hospital appointments because of this and I just missed an interview at DSHS because of this. Get it together!!! Wtf! ### 1/5 — Useless *2026-07-02, version 1.5.0* Can store my data at the online website to pay my bill on the 1st, but not in the app. This was done to circumvent Big Crimes takeover of the Goodwill's subsidy to Spokane Transit of $30/mo for elderly homeless Vets to look for housing. BC wants our retirement pay as well as the subsidy from Goodwill. ### 1/5 — Bugged app *2026-07-01, version 1.5.0* Sometimes the app will sign you out at the most inconvenient moment. It will be working fine one day but then when you need to use it the next day it signs you out and you don’t know till you need it. On top of this it will randomly unlink your connected institution. This will also happen suddenly and you don’t know until you need to use it and get the message saying your card has no balance. Then when you reconnect the institution it takes up to 48s for it to sync and work. ### 5/5 — Functional. Looking forward to updates. *2026-06-22, version 1.5.0* This app is a perfectly serviceable way to manage my balance. Nothing special, but it gets the job done. My one request on that front would be to include the ability to transfer balances between cards. The Connect website allows this, but not the app. As a way to pay for fares, the QR code system sucks. I know Apple (and Google) are part of the issue, so I don’t take that out on STA, but I’m dying to have the option to pay with NFC. Find a way! ### 2/5 — Not so great *2026-02-24* The app keeps signing me out and then I have to sign back in while the bus had already arrived at my stop. ### 1/5 — Panic inducing logouts!! *2026-02-20, version 1.4.0* I don’t ride the bus often, but when I do, I find that this app has logged me out every time I go to show my ticket. Please do a better job of storing credentials and making logging easier!!! ### 1/5 — unreliable app *2026-02-04, version 1.4.0* this app is incredibly frustrating to deal with when you’re trying to get on the bus as quick as possible. it has signed me out randomly, there were a couple times id open it and it would act like i never put any money on it and the qr button to scan my pass would be greyed out. i also always check that my brightness is all the way up before i get on the bus, yet, when i get on the bus, my phone will automatically lower the brightness to adjust. the app does brighten your screen when you open the qr code to scan, but it doesn’t always do that and it doesn’t always stay bright. then there’s the actual scanning. even with my screen very bright, you still have to be at a perfect angle. but here’s the catch: the angle is always different. the videos and graphics will tell you to hold it at 45 degrees, but when that doesn’t work and the bus driver says to hold it flat, then that works. so you’re standing there holding other people up from getting on the bus moving your phone around hoping for the best. it’s not efficient at all. i’m going to be getting a physical card to scan again because this is app works so poorly. when it comes to transport, i don’t have time to sign back into an account i shouldn’t have been signed out of in the first place, closing and reopening the app so it recognizes the money i’ve already paid, and then still not be able to scan it quickly when the bus is there. the app is slowing down the bus system. ### 1/5 — LOL *2026-02-04, version 1.4.0* This app is horrendous. It constantly logs you out and the password recovery system is awful. I would be my life saving that whoever cobbled together this app has AT MINIMUM sub 100 iq ### 2/5 — Archaic and unreliable *2025-11-15* Don’t ride often, so every time I do it has lost my login and I have to struggle through a slow and tedious login process while trying to board the bus and find a seat. Also, the QR solution is lame and doesn’t work well with reflective screens. ### 1/5 — The partnership with Google needs to end. *2025-10-03, version 1.1.4* I could spend hours pointing out the various flaws in the Spokane transit system. The biggest kick to the face to users however, is now in order to use this app, you have to download a SECOND app. If I want to try and figure out what buses I need to take to get around, I open this app…and then I’m told to download GOOGLE MAPS. Not going to happen. In fact, it’s not even an option for me. Congrats, STA. You’re officially the cause of me driving places I could (and have previously) bussed to. I can no longer plan trips using the STA app so I guess I have no use for STA (despite specifically looking for apartments with easy bus access). I will be 100% against any increased spending with tax dollars to the STA. Dear Spokane Transit: Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. ## Frequently asked questions about STA Connect ### What can I do with the STA Connect app? The STA Connect app allows you to manage your Spokane Transit Authority fare cards. You can link physical Connect cards or create virtual eConnect cards, add value or passes, check your balance, view fare capping progress, enable autoload, lock lost or stolen cards, manage payment methods, and view your ride history. ### How do I add value to my fare card? To add value to either a physical Connect card or a virtual eConnect card, you first need to add a credit or debit card to your Connect account. Once your payment method is set up, you can add value to your cart and complete the checkout process. ### How do I use my eConnect card to pay for a ride? When boarding the bus, bring up the fare payment QR code from your eConnect card within the app. Hold your phone approximately eight inches below the fare validator with the screen facing up. Upon successful validation and fare collection, you will hear a beep and see a green check mark. ### Can I link my Universal Transit Access Pass (UTAP)? Yes, riders with a Universal Transit Access Pass (UTAP) from a local university, employer, or partner agency can link it to their virtual Connect card directly within the STA Connect app. You will need to register with your UTAP email address and use the “Partner Agency” widget on the home screen. ### Is the STA Connect app free to use? The STA Connect app itself is free to download and use. However, you will be making in-app purchases to add value or passes to your transit fare cards for riding the bus. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.6.0 — 2026-07-30 We’ve been working hard to improve your experience with our app. 
 This update includes: * General performance improvements * Bug fixes and stability enhancements * Minor UI and usability updates  Thank you for using our app! ### 1.5.0 — 2026-03-18 We've squashed some bugs and made performance improvements to enhance your experience. ### 1.4.0 — 2025-12-11 We've squashed some bugs and made performance improvements to enhance your experience. ### 1.2.0 — 2025-10-23 We’ve been working hard to improve your experience with our app. This update includes: - General performance improvements - Bug fixes and stability enhancements - Minor UI and usability updates Thank you for using our app! ### 1.1.4 — 2024-04-02 This app version creates the ability for users to add a Partner Agency pass for unlimited rides. ## Apps similar to STA Connect | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Hop Fastpass](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hop-fastpass/id1213574689) | 2.4 (34) | Free | Travel | | [Zum - Student Transportation](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zum-student-transportation/id1076430968) | 4.8 (6,497) | Free | Travel | | [PTBusBeacon](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ptbusbeacon/id1329034348) | 1.2 (89) | Free | Travel | | [SRTMC](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/srtmc/id6456737294) | 5.0 (5) | Free | Travel | | [SEA&WIN](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sea-and-win/id6741251187) | 3.6 (11) | Free | Travel | | [myORCA](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/myorca/id1606459618) | 2.5 (354) | Free | Travel | ## More apps by Spokane Transit Authority - [STA PassApp](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sta-passapp/id6743008553) All apps by Spokane Transit Authority: https://appshunter.io/developer/1644887932 ## Related topics [spokane transit](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/spokane-transit) · [spokane transit authority](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/spokane-transit-authority) · [matbus connect](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/matbus-connect) · [psta transit](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/psta-transit) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-30.*