C-VAN RIDER’S GUIDE

C-VAN RIDER’S GUIDE

OUR MISSION:

C-TRAN connects people to opportunities, supports economic vitality, and enhances quality of life for the community.

C VAN Service Area

C-VAN’s 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.
*Note: Excludes commuter and limited bus routes.
  • C-TRAN reserves the right to change bus routes and schedules. As a result, some pick-up and/or drop-off points may no longer be within the ¾ mile C-VAN service area. In addition, service changes may affect some ride requests that had previously qualified for C-VAN service.
  • Addresses that fall outside of our defined service area may not qualify for C-VAN service.

C-VAN provides accessible connections to TriMet’s paratransit service, LIFT, as well as MAX light rail and TriMet fixed-route service at the following locations:

  • Parkrose Transit Center (off of I‑205)
  • Delta Park/Vanport Transit Center (off of I‑5)
  • Jantzen Beach (off of I‑5)

Riders must make a separate reservation with TriMet LIFT at 503‑962‑8000. Ride reservations and eligibility on LIFT are separate from C‑VAN and require additional fare. You must contact each program separately.


How do I pay my fare?

Service is provided for the cost of an adult bus ride following local and regional fare prices, dependent on your ride’s origin and destination. C‑TRAN fares can be found on the C‑TRAN website at www.c‑tran.com/fares. Fares on C-VAN can be paid by cash or C‑VAN HOP card. Exact fare is required, operators cannot make change.


How long will my trip be?

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 fixed-route service, 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 time (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 trips on C‑VAN are 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, the traffic conditions and unforeseen incidents are outside of our control.

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 traveling 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 their 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. Companions and PCAs 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.