Madysen McLain/[email protected]
C-TRAN carries millions of passengers to their destinations around Clark County each year. This month the system is celebrating its 40th anniversary with an exhibition detailing its history and passenger gifts.
Before the county-wide bus system was established, North Clark Counties relied on private cars to get into town.
In July 1975, Washington Governor Daniel Evans signed a bill to establish privileged areas for public transportation, said Chris Selk, C-TRAN director of communications and customer experience.
“C-TRAN as it is today was born out of that program,” said Selk.
It was the approval of a sales tax of 0.3 percent that made C-TRAN possible in 1980, she said.
In the first full year of operation, the system served 1,216,114 drivers, said Selk.
With the 1990s, the number of drivers skyrocketed. By 1997, more than 6 million passengers had ridden C-TRAN buses, she said.
“Back then we were one of the fastest growing systems in the country,” said Selk.
C-TRAN’s accelerated growth slowed when a 1999 initiative was passed to abolish the motor vehicle excise tax, she said. That meant an annual cut of $ 12 million for C-TRAN, which is 40 percent of its budget.
More than 80 jobs were cut, as were several bus routes. The system is being forced to draw on reserves of capital to keep operations going, she said.
“Fortunately, in 2005, the overwhelming majority of voters approved a VAT hikeBlic Transit in Clark County, ”said Selk.
In 2011 there was another successful sales tax measure. In 2004, voters did not pass any initiative.
Before the pandemic, passenger numbers had continued to rise over the past three years, she said.
Selk predicts that community engagement will pick up again when COVID-19 cases fall. C-TRAN has historically provided transportation to and from various events such as the Fort Vancouver Fireworks Show, Clark County Fair, and Camas Days.
Since the inception of C-TRAN, routes have been offered to smaller communities such as Battle Ground, Yacolt and Amboy. Route 7 through Battle Ground is one of the trails that has remained virtually unchanged since the 1980s, Selk said.
“Local public transport grows with the community,” she said. “Economic and population growth is a reflection in transit.”
Suzann Schultz started working at C-TRAN in 1981 and has dedicated 26 years of her career to the system.
Schultz was one of two customer service reps when the bus system was rolled out, she said. When she retired, the department employed over 18 people.
In 1977 Schultz and her family moved from Iowa to Battle Ground, and in 1992 they moved to Vancouver again.
“C-TRAN has always hired some of the nicest people I have ever met,” said Schultz. “They were all fun people who were together.”
She was responsible for selling bus tickets for all areas from North Clark County to Portland.
Schultz remembers the first time C-TRAN offered transportation to the fireworks 4th of July. The phones kept ringing, she said.
Even after 40 years, Schultz is still friends with some of her colleagues. Before the pandemic, they met for breakfast every first Friday of the month.
The Clark County Historical Museum is showing an exhibition on the first 40 years of C-TRAN in the Central Library in Vancouver on the fifth floor starting July 9th.
On July 8, C-TRAN will be handing out anniversary gifts and treats, including a $ 125 bus pass, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on 99th Street and Fisher’s Landing Transit Center and noon to 2 p.m. at the Vancouver Mall Transit Center. On this occasion, commemorative cards for the bus will be created.
“Clark County has seen so much growth and change since 1981,” Selk said. “We were really lucky to be able to contribute. We look forward to serving our drivers for another 40 years and beyond. “
Further information is available online at c-tran.com/40th.