C-TRAN Kicks-Off New Vanpool Program

Vancouver, WA: Friday, May 1 is the official kick-off date for C-TRAN’s new Vanpool program, a cost effective method for people to commute to work sites that are not easily accessible by traditional transit. With vanpool, groups of commuters get the convenience of a personal automobile at the price of a bus pass. Typical vanpool commutes might be Vancouver to Hillsboro, Kelso to Vancouver, or maybe from Vancouver to a remote work site such as a construction site.

C-TRAN’s Vanpool Program is open to any group with 5 to 12 passengers who are able to commute to and from work together. The commute must be at least 10 miles in one direction, and must start, end, or move through C-TRAN’s service area. It doesn’t matter if passengers live in Washington or Oregon because C-TRAN’s goal is to reduce the number of single occupant vehicles traveling within its service area.

To prepare for its new Vanpool Program, C-TRAN purchased 30 vans, including both 7 and 12 passenger vans, thanks to a Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) grant totaling $676,000, which covered 100% of the cost.

C-TRAN is one of 15 public transportation agencies in the state of Washington that collectively operate the largest public vanpool fleet in the nation. Vanpool programs have been identified by Governor Gregoire’s Climate Action Team as a crucial part of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

C-TRAN has both 7 and 12 passenger vans available for lease, but they are available on a first come, first served basis. In exchange for a modest lease, C-TRAN will provide all the fuel, insurance, and maintenance needed to operate the van. Some of the commuters agree to volunteer as the drivers. This allows the vanpool to set its own route and schedule.

Citizens interested in forming a vanpool are asked to contact C-TRAN’s Vanpool Administrator at (360) 906-7510 or visit www.c-tran.com/vanpool for more information.

C-TRAN is the regional public transportation provider for portions of Clark County. It 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, and commuter Vanpool services throughout its service area. 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.