How do I apply for C-VAN?

The presence of a disability or a disabling health condition by itself does not make a person eligible for C‑VAN. Eligibility is also not based on age, income, inability to drive or the lack of availability or inconvenience of fixed-route services. The eligibility decision is based on the applicant’s functional ability to use the fixed-route bus and is not a medical decision. You must meet the ADA requirements and be determined eligible via an application process to ride C‑VAN. Upon approval, C‑VAN riders have a service end date on their eligibility determination letter and will need to re‑apply to maintain eligibility.

1. We ask that you complete our pre-application, which is a self-assessment, before we send you an application. This can be found on our website at www.c-tran.com/paratransit-pre-application or you can start the process with Customer Service by calling 360-695-8918 (WA Relay: 711). The self-assessment will help you determine if C-VAN will meet your transportation needs.
2. A full application will be sent to you by mail or an online fillable link, following your preference in the pre-application. The last page of the full application is a Medical Release Form, so that C-VAN Eligibility can reach out to your medical provider for verification of disability.
3. We will contact you by phone to complete a phone interview and/or schedule an in-person assessment at a C-TRAN office; C-VAN can provide free transportation to and from the assessment.
4. C-VAN Eligibility will mail you a letter to notify you if you are eligible to ride C-VAN within 21 calendar days after we receive all your information.

C-VAN eligibility categories

Unconditional eligibility

The person’s disability or health condition prevents them from using fixed-route services for all trips in all conditions. Riders with unconditional eligibility status must recertify for continued eligibility upon expiration of service.

Conditional eligibility

The person’s disability may make them unable to travel on fixed-route service under certain “conditions.” For example, a rider may be unable to use fixed‑route buses in weather hotter than 90 degrees or in hours of darkness. Conditional eligibility will be discussed with the applicant or caregiver upon approval.

Temporary eligibility

The person’s abilities and/or limitations are expected to improve within a period of time.

Visitor eligibility

Visitors with disabilities who cannot use the C-TRAN fixed-route system are eligible to utilize C-VAN. If the visitor has been certified as “ADA paratransit eligible” by another public entity, and presents documentation to that effect, C-VAN will honor the certification and provide up to 21 days of C-VAN service in a 365-day period, beginning with the visitor’s first use. If you would like visitor service with C-VAN or another agency, please call Customer Service at 360-695-8918 to start the process. Once the request for visitor service is received, C-VAN will process your request within 24 hours. C-VAN’s full visitor eligibility policy can be found on our website at www.c-tran.com/visitor-eligibility

I disagree with my eligibility decision. What can I do?

Appeals must be submitted within 60 days of receipt of the determination. An appeal can be written or typed, including a signature, stating the reason for the appeal to the ADA Officer at C-TRAN, 10600 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver, WA 98682. You may also call C-VAN to appeal service at 360-695-8918 during business hours.

• In your appeal, please state the specific reasons why you disagree with the determination of your eligibility.
• Your appeal will be scheduled within 21 days of your request.
• Once the appeal has been heard, the outcome is final. If you choose, you can reapply for C-VAN service.
• If no decision has been made within 30 days from the appeal hearing, service will be provided until a decision is reached.

Travel Training options

Travel Training is a great way for new riders to experience C-TRAN’s fixed-route bus service for the first time. Our Customer Experience team provides this service, free of charge, so new riders have the necessary skills to successfully utilize the bus system. Travel Training includes:

• Orientation: your Travel Trainer will provide a general overview and orientation of the public transportation system, covering tasks such as reading a schedule, identifying a stop location, purchasing your fare, recognizing when the desired stop has been reached, and using the transit vehicle accessibility features.
• Trip Planning: your Travel Trainer will provide instructions for planning a trip from a specific starting point to a specific destination. Your trip planning experience will involve creating a highly individualized path of travel that provides route information, street access to the nearest bus stop, and vehicle information.
• Mobility Devices: for those who use one, your Travel Trainer will provide instructions for how to safely use your personal mobility device on C-TRAN. This includes safe boarding, riding and de-boarding transit vehicles.
• Smart Tools: your Travel Trainer will provide information for how to access trip-planning tools that are available using the internet, smartphones, and other computer technology.

For more information or to set up an appointment for travel training, call C‑TRAN Travel Training at 360‑906‑7433 (RIDE) or fill out the travel training request form on our website at www.c‑tran.com/travel‑training.