Connections Spring 2003
A Bi-annual Newsletter for C-VAN Passengers
Public Transportation—Is it in Your Future?
How important is public transportation? Should C-TRAN link with other modes of transportation to provide a comprehensive solution to gridlock and air quality problems? Are people willing to support public transportation when less than ten percent of the citizens use it?
This spring and summer C-TRAN will try to answer these and other questions, as it creates a 20-year Transit Development Plan for Clark County. Who, what, where, when and how public transportation will operate in Clark County will be covered in this comprehensive proposal. However, to create the plan we need to understand what the public wants. The goal is simple—create a public transportation system that makes sense and reflects the desires of the community at large.
The first step is listening to people, both users and non-users of the system. C-TRAN will conduct a series of “listening sessions” to solicit ideas and suggestions which will shape the 20-year plan. People from all walks of life will be encouraged to attend the workshops, visit the Web site or or complete a survey, especially those who don’t use public transportation on a daily basis.
The result of the outreach will be a draft 20-year plan with several scenarios, including a wide range of potential transportation options. Scenarios may include: service reductions, service increases, boundary changes, funding changes, joint ventures with city, county and state, coordination with TriMet and MAX and bi-state transportation systems.
Once the scenarios have been discussed and input from the community has been solicited, a final report will be issued this fall. The report will outline recommendations which the C-TRAN Board of Directors will incorporate in the 2004 budget.
So, how involved will you be in this process? Do you and your family want to help shape the future of public transportation in Clark County? To learn more about the planning workshops or to request a C-TRAN representative to speak to your organization or group, contact Walt Gordon at (360) 906-7305.
Travel Tips to Enhance Your C-VAN Experience
Make yourself a C-VAN notebook. This handy tool will keep track of ride reservations, including dates, times and addresses of locations to which you travel. This “all-in-one” notebook will improve your reservation process and reduce the possibility of mistakes. It doesn’t need to be fancy or store bought—just a few pages of lined paper or a calendar with spaces big enough to write on. Having a written log of your reservations is a handy tool to confirm who you spoke with, when your next ride is scheduled or why you cancelled a ride.
Make your own C-VAN bus stop. Find a place, near a window, that allows you a clear view of your arriving C-VAN. This area could include a comfortable chair, coat rack and telephone.
Are you a “ready rider?” When you are ready to ride at the beginning of your pick-up window, you not only help C-VAN, you also help your fellow passengers. When customers are not ready, C-VAN uses “standby time.” This time is typically reserved to help you safely board the bus and allow for any last minute problems. Remember—C-VAN can only wait five minutes before proceeding to the next customer. Please be a “ready rider.”
The early caller gets the ride. Last minute ride requests limit your choices and may result in longer ride times. When possible, please call in advance to make ride reservations.
Fast Fax. Did you know you may fax C-VAN your ride request(s)? Simply dial our fax number, 906-7495, and send your request(s) to our Customer Service Department. Please fax only those requests scheduled to take place four or more days in advance. C-VAN Customer Service will call you to confirm your reservation(s).
Pass-By-Mail. This is an easy and convenient way to buy your monthly C-TRAN bus pass. Simply call 695-8918 and request that an application form be sent to you. After we receive your application, you can order your pass for the following month (orders must be received by the 20th of each month). C-TRAN accepts checks, money orders and credit cards.
Pass Holders on Sale
Clear, plastic pass holders are available for $1 each at all C-TRAN Customer Service Offices. Pass holders help prevent damage to your monthly bus pass and make it more convenient to display your pass to the driver. On the back of C-TRAN’s monthly passes, please note that the “Pass must be clearly presented to driver.” Colored pass holders and/or holders that cover any part of the pass are discouraged, as drivers will ask you to remove your pass from the holder, thereby delaying the boarding of passengers.
2002 C-VAN Facts
.... Miles traveled in Clark County .... Scheduled trips .... Total passengers trips provided .... Actual trips .... Service hours operated .... Lift activations .... Cancelled trips .... Late cancellations .... ADA certified customers .... C-TRAN funding from sales tax .... C-TRAN funding from interest on savings .... C-TRAN funding from passenger fares .... C-TRAN funding from the federal government .... C-TRAN funding from miscellaneous sources, including grants, etc.
Choices in Transportation
By Dan Gufrey, Paratransit SupervisorC-VAN customers with conditional eligibility are choosing C-TRAN’s fixed route service for more of their rides. These customers enjoy the freedom of riding the bus when they want, without worrying about reservations, late cancellations or no-shows. They enjoy the 26 C-TRAN routes, which give them access to hundreds of businesses, social services and entertainment. They especially like the interaction with other passengers and friendship they have developed.
Not everyone can use C-TRAN’s fixed route system, but for those who can, it is a libertaing experience. If you are interested in using C-TRAN’s fixed route bus system, but don’t know how or need help in learning, C-VAN’s Travel Training Program is right for you. Four different classes are available, free of charge. Call (360) 695-8918 and ask a Customer Service Representative about our Travel Training Program.
Bus Pass Exchange
These days, with the variety of low-cost, computer-aided printing methods, C-TRAN is always on guard against counterfeit bus passes. Counterfeit passes constitute theft of public services and may subject the user to prosecution. Additionally, counterfeiting results in decreased revenue, which may adversely impact C-TRAN services.
To evaluate whether counterfeit passes are being used, C-TRAN employees will periodically conduct random pass exchanges. As you board the bus, you may be asked to surrender your pass in trade for a pass of the same month and zone(s). Your cooperation in making your pass available will assist us in determining whether counterfeit passes are being used. Thank you.
C-TRAN
PO Box 2529
Vancouver, WA 98668-2529
C-TRAN Business Office: 696-4494
C-VAN Customer Service: 695-8918
TTY Hearing Impaired: 695-9715
Web site: www.c-tran.com
E-mail: ctran@c-tran.com©2001 Clark County Public Transportation Benefit Area
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