What is C-VAN?
C-VAN is a shared-ride service for persons who, because of their disabilities, are unable to ride a regular C-TRAN fixed route bus. C-VAN provides curb-to-curb service, or in some instances, transportation to transit centers to connect with regular bus service. If you need additional assistance to complete origin-to-destination service please reach out to C-VAN Customer Service at 360-695-8918, option 2, to learn about registration for Door-to-Door & Hand-to-Hand service. Since C-VAN is shared-ride the vehicle may make several stops along the way before it arrives at your destination.
C-VAN is public transportation and should not be confused with private or medical transportation. Riders may not specify the type of vehicle used to provide transportation and will be required to ride with other passengers.
C-VAN needs to balance your needs with other riders’ needs. It may not always be possible to schedule your trip at the exact time you request.
Please be flexible when planning your ride. C-VAN will do everything possible to accommodate your first request, but you may have to accept an alternate time if your first choice is not available. C-VAN may negotiate pickup times with riders but shall not require an ADA eligible rider to schedule a trip to begin more than one (1) hour before or after the rider’s desired departure time. (Per the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Circular 4710.1 Chapter 8.)
Fares
Service is provided for the cost of an adult local bus ride. C-TRAN fare information can be found here: C-TRAN Fares. Fares can be paid by cash or through contactless payment using the C-VAN Hop card. Exact fare is required, operators cannot make change.
Service Area
The service area consists of the urban growth boundary of Vancouver as defined in 2005, and within 3/4-mile of C-TRAN’s fixed-route service, with some exceptions. Contact C-VAN at 360-695-8918 to determine if your origin or destination(s) is within the C-VAN service area.
Service Hours
All locations inside the C-VAN service area boundary are served by C-VAN based on the days and hours of operation of C-TRAN fixed-route buses.
Service can differ in some parts of the C-TRAN service area. Your reservationist will let you know if a requested pick-up or drop-off is outside the current times of service offered.
Trip length
Travel time on board the vehicle will vary, depending on trip distance, time of day and stops made to accommodate other riders during the trip. Travel time on paratransit is comparable to the amount of time it would take to make the same trip using C-TRAN buses, including transfers, with the exception that commuter services are excluded from comparability requirements. According to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), comparable time takes into account the following:
- Walking or rolling time to the stop nearest to the origin address.
- Waiting time at a bus stop.
- In-vehicle time (for all trip segments)
- Transfer times (if any)
- Walking or rolling time from the final stop to the destination address.
C-VAN checks fixed-route comparable times for trips scheduled to ensure your trip on C-VAN is not longer than a trip on a C-TRAN bus. C-VAN staff do their best to minimize service disruptions that can extend travel times; however, unexpected delays may occur due to road construction, time of day, bad weather, traffic demands, or other unforeseen incidents.
Companions and personal care attendants
The ADA defines a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) as someone designated or employed specifically to help the eligible individual meet his or her personal daily living needs. PCAs riding with an eligible rider do not pay fare. C-TRAN operators are not personal care attendants, nor does the ADA require C-TRAN to provide you with an attendant.
Riders may bring along one companion in addition to the PCA. PCAs and companions must be picked up and dropped off at the same location and time as the rider. Additional companions or PCAs may be scheduled if space is available. Please confirm with your reservationist to see if there is available space. Companions pay the regular C-VAN fare using cash or a C-VAN Hop card. Guests cannot travel if the rider cancels the ride, even if the companion or PCA is C-VAN eligible. It is best to book a ride for each C-VAN eligible rider to avoid this issue.
Children aged 9 or under must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other responsible person to provide adequate supervision.