Background
In May, 2007 the C-TRAN Board of Directors approved a modest four percent fare increase to occur once a year, beginning in 2008. The intent was to help offset normal inflation due to increases of fuel and operating costs.
Since that time, fuel prices have increased 72 percent and C-TRAN’s sales tax receipts, which are based on one half of one percent within C-TRAN's service and taxing boundary, have declined 2.2 percent. These changes represent a significant decline in available funding which is used to provide current levels of transit service:
| Changes from 2007 Budget Estimates | |
| Expense: Fuel Costs | $1.0 million over budget estimates |
| Expense: C-VAN Demand | $1.3 million over budget estimates |
| Revenue: Sales Tax | $1.5 million under budget estimates |
| Net Negative Impact to Budget | $3.8 million |
Proposal
It is understood that this proposal will only partially address the negative impact to our budget. C-TRAN's fare box revenue pays for about 21% of its operating costs. In the next budget cycle, C-TRAN will use its capital committed funds to help bridge the expanding gap between what the farebox pays for and what the budget can cover. However, the capital committed funds can not be considered a permanent solution as it is not a long-term funding source. Due to the need to use capital committed funds to maintain current service levels, and the other negative impacts noted above, C-TRAN is proposing the following fare increases:
| Fare | Current | Proposed |
| C-Zone | ||
| Cash | $1.30 | $1.50 |
| Day Pass | $3.00 | $3.50 |
| Monthly | $45.00 | $52.00 |
| All-Zone | ||
| Cash | $2.35 | No Change |
| Monthly | $82.00 | $86.00 |
| Express | ||
| Cash | $3.00 | No Change |
| Day Pass | $6.00 | No Change |
| Monthly | $105.00 | No Change |
| C-VAN | ||
| Cash | $1.30 | $1.50 |
| Monthly | $23.00 | *$52.00 (same as C-Zone monthly pass) |
| *The extraordinarily high cost to provide paratransit service, coupled with increased demand, suggests the proposed elimination of the highly reduced C-VAN monthly pass. If adopted, this merger of the C-VAN and C-Zone monthly passes would provide unlimited rides per month on both C-VAN and C-TRAN fixed route services. | ||
| R/Y/D C-Zone | ||
| Cash* | $0.65 | $0.75 |
| Monthly | $20.00 | $26.00 |
| *Available only for Youth, Disabled, and Senior riders with ID. | ||
| R/Y/D All-Zone | ||
| Cash* | $1.20 | $1.15 |
| Monthly | $20.00 | $40.00 |
| *Available only for Youth, Disabled, and Senior riders with ID. | ||
| Summer Blast Pass | ||
| 3 Month Pass | $40.00 | $60.00 |
Pass/ID Card Match
C-TRAN also proposes that passengers who use a reduced C-TRAN ticket or monthly pass must present a C-TRAN ID card, or other C-TRAN accepted ID that is issued within the state of Washington, at the time of boarding. This could include a Washington state issued driver’s license, or school issued photo ID card. The same would be required of those who use reduced TriMet tickets and monthly passes; a TriMet ID card, or other ID issued within the state of Oregon, must be presented at the time of boarding.
Conclusion
If approved by the C-TRAN Board of the Directors, the proposed increases will take effect in early 2009, and will generate approximately $630,000 of additional revenue per year. It is understood that this fare revenue will only partially address the negative impact to our budget as explained above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need more detail reqarding the proposed increase? Follow this link for answers to many of your questions.
Public Comment
C-TRAN is taking public comment:
Tuesday, October 28 Public Hearing–Tuesday, November 18 | Thursday, October 30 Thursday, November 6 |
*Mail comments to:
C-TRAN Fare Proposal
PO Box 2529
Vancouver, WA 98668
*All written comments must be received no later than 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 18, 2008.