Ballot time is here again and C-Tran is asking for yet more tax dollars.
I have concern about the folks who cannot make it to school and medical appointments due to route cancellation, but we have to question if this is the only way C-Tran can mitigate its shortfall. One would think that express service to Portland would be the biggest reduction target as most commuters can use their cars or transfer to TriMet at Delta Park.
Office staff at C-Tran must spend hours looking for cost-sharing grants that provide routes and equipment at a savings but those finds are sometimes not the best use of our tax dollars. Establishment of Route 105 (from downtown Vancouver to downtown Portland) and new fare boxes are just two examples. Doesn’t C-Tran comprehend that sometimes the best bargain is not spending money and staff time?
It may be time for Clark County to try a new approach. Let’s contact TriMet and get a competitive bid for them to provide service in Clark County. We may end up with better coverage and more frequent service. They likely would not compete against their own routes. Join me in voting “no” on Proposition 1.
Ken Skinner
Felida
