Bus fares to jump 15 percent in March

The unprecedented dropoff in local retail sales is driving up the price of a bus ticket.

With fewer taxes to support C-Tran, basic bus fares for Clark County’s transit agency will jump 20 cents, or 15 percent, on March 1.

One-way fares are now $1.30. They’ll rise to $1.50. A monthly pass will rise 16 percent, from $45 to $52.

The agency’s board, made up of representatives from local city councils and the board of Clark County Commissioners, agreed on the hike Tuesday night.

The change comes as gas prices in the Portland area are down 36 percent from a year ago.

Day and monthly passes and C-Van tickets will also go up in price. Discounts for youth, student and disabled riders will improve – except for the discounted monthly passes, which will jump to $30.

Nancy Brooks, a retired federal employee who lives in Minnehaha and travels exclusively by bus since selling her car in July, said she’s troubled by the 50 percent hike in those passes for seniors and the disabled.

Many of them can’t afford cars, said Brooks, 63, who buys monthly senior passes herself.

“Those people have no choice,” she said. “You can’t bump it on the poorest people in the community, that need the bus the most.”

For a complete list of fare hikes, visit C-Tran’s Web site.

For C-Tran’s explanation of the hike, visit the C-Tran FAQ.

Michael Andersen: 360-735-4508 or michael.andersen@columbian.com.