In order to cut costs and prepare for incoming electronic fares, C-Tran is planning to eliminate its monthly and day passes for its paratransit service, C-Van.
If the change is implemented, riders will pay a fare for every ride they take, rather than buying a potentially money-saving pass.
Under the proposed change, the passes would also be discontinued when the electronic fare Hop Fastpass is connected to C-Van later this year or early next year.
The agency argues the move puts it in line with many other transit agencies that provide similar service.
C-Tran estimates about 1,270 people use C-Van every month and take, on average, about 18,800 trips. But, according to C-Tran spokeswoman Christine Selk, of those 1,270 riders, only about 450 buy a monthly pass and only around 150 of them take the 33 trips required to equal its $59 cost.
“If you’re a passenger who rides less, you’re going to be saving money,” Selk said. “If you do take more than 33 trips in a month, we’re hoping it’ll help you group trips more efficiently or combine fixed route (bus service) and C-Van if possible.”
C-Tran officials hope the move will save the transit agency some money as well.
Assessing actual cost
Federal law requires C-Tran provide transit service for people with disabilities that complements its regular fixed-route bus system. A typical ride on C-Van costs the customer $1.80, but C-Tran’s actual cost of providing the trip is $44.
Meanwhile, a fixed-route bus ride typically costs $1.80, while C-Tran’s expense to provide the ride are about $6.
As Clark County’s residents continue to age, C-Tran expects more riders to begin relying on C-Van, which, in turn, means spending more on keeping the service going.
“If C-Van continues to grow unchecked, it begins to threaten the viability of our fixed route service — that’s what we’re looking at in the future if we don’t get the costs under control,” Selk said.
The $1.80 cost of a single fare won’t increase under the proposal. Under federal law, C-Tran could charge double its fixed route fare for paratransit service.
The fare increase was first presented to the C-Tran board in February. A public hearing will be held during the next board of directors meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Vancouver Community Library, Columbia Room, 901 C St.
People who can’t attend the meeting can also provide information by emailing ctran@c-tran.com or at the agency’s website: www.c-tran.com/contact-us/comments-and-suggestions.
