Air Pollution Advisory Days

C-TRAN Working to Help Keep Our Air Clean

For immediate release: July 20, 2007

Vancouver, WA: As the warm days of summer begin to take hold, C-TRAN will once again offer free fares on days declared "Clean Air Action Days." When temperatures are high and there is no wind, pollution from cars, lawn mowers, other gas powered engines, and various consumer products like hair spray, create high levels of smog. In response, The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) along with the Southwest Washington Clean Air Agency (SWCAA), issue Clean Air Action Day Advisories for the Portland–Vancouver region.

As a recipient of a Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Grant (CMAQ), C‑TRAN provides system-wide free service on Clean Air Action Days to aid in the effort of reducing the amount of air pollutants that make the air unhealthy to breathe.

C-TRAN's free service on these days covers all of its routes, including Limited routes with service to light rail, Express commuter routes traveling to and from downtown Portland, and C-VAN paratransit for people with disabilities. Every car left home on Clean Air Action Days helps keep the level of pollutants down. C‑TRAN hopes that by offering free service on these days, people will be encouraged to ride the bus or carpool.

The Southwest Washington Clean Air Agency reports that Clean Air Action Day advisories are issued an average of five days each summer. According to C-TRAN Executive Director/CEO Jeff Hamm, "C‑TRAN ridership on Clean Air Action Days has increased nearly 20 percent over the past few years. Because C-TRAN now offers biodiesel on its entire fleet, citizens who choose to ride have an even greater positive impact on our air quality. The fact that our service is free on those days makes riding an even easier choice."

In addition to free bus service, C-TRAN provides trip planning assistance for those who may be new to the system. C-TRAN offers local bus service within its Clark County service area, Limited bus service to the nearest MAX light rail station, and Express commuter service to downtown Portland. It also provides Connector service within the city limits of Camas, La Center, and Ridgefield.

For more information on C-TRAN please visit C-TRAN’s Web site at www.c-tran.com, or call Passenger Service at (360) 695-0123. To contact the Southwest Washington Clean Air Agency call (360) 694-3058 or visit their Web site at www.swcleanair.org. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality can be reached at (503) 229-6918 or www.deq.state.or.us/ag/.

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