C-TRAN
Encyclopedia
Clark County, Washington
Clark County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Washington, across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon.Clark County was the first county of Washington, named after William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, including the cities of Battle Ground
Battle Ground, Washington
Battle Ground is a city in Clark County, Washington, United States. The population was 17,571 at the 2010 census. According to the Washington State Office of Financial Management, Battle Ground ranked 4th of 279 eligible incorporated communities in population growth between 2000 and 2005.-Origin of...
, Camas
Camas, Washington
Camas is a city in Clark County, Washington, with a population of 19,355 at the 2010 census. Officially incorporated on June 18, 1906, the city is named after the camas lily, a plant with an onion-like bulb prized by Native Americans. At the west end of downtown Camas is a large Georgia-Pacific...
, Vancouver
Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver is a city on the north bank of the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington. Incorporated in 1857, it is the fourth largest city in the state with a 2010 census population of 161,791 as of April 1, 2010...
and Washougal
Washougal, Washington
Washougal is a city in Clark County, Washington, United States. On April 1, 2010, the United States Census Bureau stated the city's population was 14,095.-History:Washougal was officially incorporated on December 4, 1908...
. Founded in 1981, C-TRAN operates regular route bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
services within Clark County, as well as Dial-A-Ride services for qualified persons with disability (C-VAN) and a reserved, on-demand service in eastern Clark County (The Connector). C-TRAN also provides express commuter services between Clark County
Clark County, Washington
Clark County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Washington, across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon.Clark County was the first county of Washington, named after William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition...
and various points in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, including downtown, Parkrose-Sumner and Delta Park MAX Light Rail stations (in northeast and north Portland), Lloyd District
Lloyd District, Portland, Oregon
The Lloyd District is a primarily commercial neighborhood in the North and Northeast sections of Portland, Oregon. It is named after Ralph Lloyd , a California rancher, oilman, and real estate developer who moved to and started the development of the area.The Lloyd District is bounded by the...
, and Oregon Health and Science University.
Based out of three transit centers (Vancouver Mall at the Westfield Shoppingtown Vancouver
The Westfield Group
The Westfield Group is an Australian shopping centre group undertaking ownership, development, design, construction, funds/asset management, property management, leasing and marketing activities...
, Fisher's Landing in east county, and 99th Street at Stockford Village), as well as the Salmon Creek Park & Ride, 28 transit routes operate to serve the approximately 350,000 residents of Clark County. C-TRAN's 111 transit coaches and 50 paratransit coaches travel over 14,472 miles daily.
Service increases and reorganization in 2000
On July 1, 2000, C-TRAN opened its fourth transit center facility in Fisher's Landing replacing the Evergreen Transit Center (now Evergreen Park & Ride) as its east county hub. Along with the opening of Fisher's Landing Transit Center, many lines serving east Clark County and Vancouver Mall areas have been rerouted and frequency increased. Fisher's Landing Transit Center links eastern Vancouver with Camas, Washougal and ParkroseParkrose/Sumner Transit Center (MAX station)
The Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center station is a light rail station on the MAX Red Line in Portland, Oregon. It is the first stop north on the Airport MAX branch, and consists of an island platform in the median of Interstate 205....
(in northeast Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
). Around the same time, C-TRAN changed its transfer design to conform with that of TriMet, allowing C-TRAN riders to use its transfer to ride on any route in any direction (unlike previously, in which C-TRAN transfers were marked with the route number to prevent riders from using it to make a round trip or a stop-over). The "Day Code" on a C-TRAN transfer (and today, C-TRAN Day Pass) is identical to that of TriMet, consisting of two letters out of the eight-letter pool: M, J, I, E, X, D, B and C.
Clark County Proposition 1 (2004) and C-TRAN's future
In November 2004 a ballot initiative known as Proposition 1 was defeated by a simple majority of voters. While 46.33% of eligible voters, or 73,959 ballots, approved this measure to increase the Clark County sales taxSales tax
A sales tax is a tax, usually paid by the consumer at the point of purchase, itemized separately from the base price, for certain goods and services. The tax amount is usually calculated by applying a percentage rate to the taxable price of a sale....
by 0.3% (from the current 7.7%) to continue the funding of the public transportation, 53.67% (85,684 votes) rejected the proposition.
The Proposition 1 was intended to provide continued funding sources for C-TRAN after the 1998 statewide repeal of Washington motor vehicle registration tax.
As a result of the lost revenue, effective Sept. 25, 2005, C-TRAN could have reduced its services by 46%, effectively eliminating about a half of currently existing bus and paratransit services. The planned service reduction would have eliminated all services to the north beyond Salmon Creek Park & Ride, including commuter services to Ridgefield
Ridgefield, Washington
Ridgefield is a city in the pastoral, rolling-hills countryside of northern Clark County, Washington, United States. The population was 4,763 at the 2010 census....
; all services to the east beyond Fisher's Landing Transit Center, discontinuing all Camas and Washougal services including the Connector; end all Vancouver-Central Portland express bus services; and drastically reduced the frequency of surviving routes (except for the 165-Parkrose Express, whose services would be increased).
Vancouver-Central Portland commuter lines would have been replaced by 205-Interstate 5 Shuttle, 234-Salmon Creek Shuttle and 257-BPA Shuttle, all of which would have terminated at TriMet
TriMet
TriMet, more formally known as the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon, is a public agency that operates mass transit in a region that spans most of the Portland metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Oregon...
's Delta Park/Vanport
Delta Park/Vanport (MAX station)
The Delta Park/Vanport station is a light rail station on the MAX Yellow Line in Portland, Oregon. It is the 9th stop northbound on the Interstate MAX extension and is in the area of Delta Park, formerly the site of the city of Vanport...
MAX
Metropolitan Area Express (Portland, Oregon)
Metropolitan Area Express is a light rail system in the Portland metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is operated by TriMet and currently has four lines: Blue, Green, Red and Yellow, with an Orange line currently under construction....
Station.
In addition to major downsizing of services, C-TRAN proposed to close two park and ride lots, reduce service center hours, end service day at 8 p.m. weekdays and ending most weekend runs. As a result C-TRAN intended to also lay off a large number of employees.
To make up lost revenues the C-TRAN board of directors also considered a fare increase, elimination of free transfers and termination of reciprocal fare agreement with TriMet.
Most of these service reductions were avoided after C-TRAN passed a special ballot measure in September 2005 (see below). C-TRAN still operates all commuter lines to and from downtown Portland's transit mall.
New fare structure and 2005 service reductions
In May 2005, as the first phase of the two-part service reduction strategy, C-TRAN introduced a new fare structure. Under this scheme, the previously All-Zone commuter services between Portland, Oregon and Clark County with the sole exception of the 165-Parkrose Express were designated "Premium" routes (i.e., Routes 105, 114 that originates in Portland as "105-114", 134, 157, 164, 177 and 190 are all Premium services). No regular monthly or all-day passes from either TriMet or C-TRAN are now accepted on the Premium buses, unless a passenger purchases a $105 Premium pass (which is also valid as an All-Zone pass in C-TRAN, Portland Streetcar and TriMet). A single-ride fare on a Premium bus is $3. Fares on Premium buses are now collected as passengers board, and previously-allowed free rides within Portland's Fareless Square between Portland State UniversityPortland State University
Portland State University is a public state urban university located in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1946, it has the largest overall enrollment of any university in the state of Oregon, including undergraduate and graduate students. It is also the only public university in...
and the Pearl District have been eliminated.
C-TRAN issues and accepts All-Zone transfers upon request. Passengers who use a C-Zone fare must pay each time they board the bus or purchase a Day Pass either a C-Zone day pass valid only on C-TRAN Local and Limited routes or a GoAnywhere Express Day pass which is also valid on TriMet and the Portland Streetcar. Pursuant to the fare reciprocity agreement, C-TRAN and TriMet continue to honor each others All-Zone fare instruments.
C-TRAN would have been forced to eliminate nearly half of all its transit services effective September 25, 2005 if additional funding had not been secured; however, a second ballot measure was passed that allowed for the preservation of current service levels (at that time), and additional service to be added to smaller cities such as Ridgefield and La Center. These changes helped return service to its pre-2000 levels. (See below.)
C-TRAN redistricting and new C-TRAN benefit area ballot measure
On June 1, 2005, the boundaries of the Clark County Public Transit Benefit Area were reduced from the whole Clark CountyClark County, Washington
Clark County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Washington, across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon.Clark County was the first county of Washington, named after William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition...
to the area including only the cities of Vancouver, Camas, Washougal, Ridgefield, La Center
La Center, Washington
La Center is a town in Clark County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,800 at the 2010 census. The city is home to four card rooms / casinos which allow gambling on card games and poker, but not slots...
, Battle Ground and Yacolt
Yacolt, Washington
Yacolt is a town in Clark County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,556 at the 2010 census.-History:Yacolt is an Indian term meaning "haunted place". In September 1902 the town, which consisted of only 15 buildings at the time, was nearly destroyed by the Yacolt Burn, the largest...
, as well as the unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
s surrounding Vancouver. This is done so that, unlike in the failed 2004 Proposition 1, only those who would benefit from C-TRAN services will vote on any future ballot measure to secure new funding for the transit service.
C-TRAN proposed a special election in September 2005 to decide on whether residents within the new C-TRAN benefit area will pay an additional 0.2% (from 7.7% to 7.9% in Vancouver) sales tax
Sales tax
A sales tax is a tax, usually paid by the consumer at the point of purchase, itemized separately from the base price, for certain goods and services. The tax amount is usually calculated by applying a percentage rate to the taxable price of a sale....
to maintain the current C-TRAN service level.
The measure passed by a wide majority. C-TRAN continues to operate, and now with fresh funding, is expanding.
2007 Service
C-Tran continues to run 7 days a week and on holidays. Holidays are operated with reduced local service similar to Sunday's service, trips to and from Portland are less frequent, some express and limited routes may not run. Local service starts at about 6:15am and ends about midnight. Weekday express and limited service to Portland begins at 5:20am with the last trip to Vancouver at 7pm. On Saturdays, there is no service to Portland excluding the #65 to Parkrose and the #4 Fourth Plain to Delta Park and Jantzen Beach. Saturday service on the #65 starts at about 8:30am with the last trip back to Vancouver departing at about 6:40pm. Saturday service on the #4 starts at about 6:30am and the last trip from Delta Park departs at midnight. On Sundays, the only service over the Columbia River is the #4 to Jantzen Beach and the Delta Park MAX Station. The Connector runs weekdays from 5:30am to 7:30pm, its based on the "Dial a ride" system.C-Tran operates 17 local routes along with "C-Van" Paratransit and Connector "Dial A Ride" service. Most routes can be expected to run every 15–70 minutes. The most used routes are "37 Mill Plain/Highway 99" and "4 Fourth Plain."
C-Tran operates 7 express routes to the downtown Portland transit mall. A ride on all these buses require an express fare for travel outside Clark County, and transfers issued on these routes are valid for travel on all C-Tran and TriMet routes. In addition, C-Tran operates 4 "limited" routes. These are the #41, #44 and #47 that provide service to TriMet's Delta Park/Vanport Max Station, and the #65 that provides service to TriMet's Parkrose/Sumner MAX Station. Local "C" zone fare is required but an additional fare is required when transferring to tri-met unless an "All-Zone" or Express fare is paid.
C-Tran fares, as well as the fare agreement between C-Tran and TriMet, are explained in more detail below.
C-Tran Fares as of 2011
Effective September 1, 2011, C-TRAN cash fares are as follows:| | FIXED ROUTE (REGULAR BUS SERVICE) | | C-VAN (PARATRANSIT) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-Zone | All-Zone | Express | C-Zone | All-Zone | |
| Adult & Reduced | $1.60 | $2.45 | $3.35 | $1.60 | $2.45 |
| Youth, Honored or Medicare Cardholders |
$0.80 w/ID | $1.20 w/ID | $3.35 | $1.60 | $2.45 |
| Adult & Reduced Monthly Pass |
$56.00 | $90.00 | $113.00 | $50.00 | - |
| Youth & Honored Monthly Pass |
$28.00 w/ID | $32.00 w/ID | $113.00 | $50.00 | - |
| Reduced Monthly Pass |
$28.00 w/ID | - | $113.00 | $50.00 | - |
| Day Pass | $3.85 | Express Day Pass Valid | $6.70 | $3.85 | $6.70 |
- C-Zone fares are valid within Clark County and are not eligible for transfers
- All-Zone fares are valid on all non-Express C-TRAN & TriMet buses, MAX Light Rail, WES and Portland StreetcarPortland StreetcarThe Portland Streetcar is a streetcar system in Portland, Oregon, that opened in 2001 and serves areas surrounding downtown Portland. It is currently a single line that is almost long and serves some 12,000 daily riders, but a second line is expected to open in 2012.As with the heavier-duty MAX...
and are eligible for transfers - Express fares are valid on Express C-TRAN buses, in addition to All-Zone benefits
Fare agreement between TriMet and C-Tran
C-Tran began issuing transfers again on September 1, 2007. In order to make travel between C-Tran and TriMet's systems easier, certain C-Tran fares are valid on TriMet, and vice versa. The following are the easiest reciprocal fares to use...C-Tran fares on TriMet...
C-Tran issues transfers for its All-Zone and Express fares. All C-Tran All-Zone and Express regular or discounted fares and transfers are valid as All-Zone fares on any and all of TriMet's buses, MAX trains, WES and the Portland Streetcar. A C-Tran Express Day Pass is valid as a TriMet All-Day ticket. Please note, the Clark College C-Pass is not valid on TriMet. The express fares are valid on the Portland Aerial Tram
Portland Aerial Tram
The Portland Aerial Tram is an aerial tramway in Portland, Oregon, carrying commuters between the city's South Waterfront district and the main Oregon Health & Science University campus, located in the Marquam Hill neighborhood. It is the second commuter aerial tramway in the United States...
.
TriMet fares on C-Tran...
TriMet All-Zone fares, including Honored Citizen and Youth/Student, are valid as All-Zone fares on C-Tran. A TriMet All-Day ticket is valid as a C-Tran day pass.
Please note that only C-Tran express fares and passes are valid on C-Tran's express routes to downtown Portland. C-Tran does not accept TriMet 1-Zone tickets except on route #4 between Delta Park and Jantzen Beach only.
Fares will be going up a few cents per ride starting May 1, 2008.
Tri-Met Fares on C-Tran as of September, 2008
For consistency reasons, C-Tran will only accept Tri-Met All-Zone passes and Tickets on their routes. C-Tran Express routes still require an express fare (except on the 105 and 190 within Clark County) of $3.25 one way with a 1-hour transfer, $6.50 for a Day pass (doubles as an All-Zone pass) or $110 for an Express monthly pass.