A Pass Needed For Buses

Nov. 8 is coming up and along with elected positions, there are measures being presented to Clark County voters. Proposition No. 1 is a vital one, which calls for a tax increase that would benefit C-Tran.

If passed, local sales taxes would increase by 0.2 percent, which would allow C-TRAN to function as it does now. There would be no new routes, no earlier or later runs, and no new jobs.

How will this affect Clark students? An extra two pennies will be added when you spend $10. That's right. When you order a Grande Meal at Taco Bell, you'll pay $10.83 instead of $10.81.

C-Tran officials say 12 of the 30 routes will be cut if the proposition fails, including the only routes that take students to Columbia Tech Center and WSUV, routes 35 and 19.

Also, those who rely on route 47 to get out of Yacolt will be left stranded. Route 44, going from Portland to Clark to the Mall, and into Orchards, will no longer be available.

C-Tran officials are also saying they'll cut two of the 14 routes that operate on Saturdays. All Sunday services will end. They will cut hours on the remaining routes. The special events routes will be terminated, as well. All shuttle rides to the Fourth of July fireworks show and the Clark County Fair will cease to exist, leading to more parking woes.

I haven't even mentioned the part that bothers me most yet: Staff cuts. C-Tran predicts that 35 people will be laid off with a "No" vote. C-Tran doesn't yet know who will be cut; drivers, mechanics, maintenance, anyone and everyone could be at risk. How is taking money from hard-working people and their families improving our community?

Some might be aware that C-Tran has reserves, and wonder why they don't just rely on that instead of a 'Yes' vote. They have been, and are running out. C-Tran's 2011-2012 budget projects $6 to $7 million will be spent from reserves in order to keep their services where they're at and their Financial Forecast is predicting the reserves will be used up in mid-2013.

For those who are thinking "Why should I care? I don't ride the bus," here are some things to think about.

Anyone who claims to care about the environment will probably prefer more public transportation. Less buses will mean more cars, which will mean more pollution.

For those who struggle to find a parking spot, take the bus. Also, the buses could come in handy if your car is no longer working. Maybe the catalytic converter in your 1991 Chevy Blazer is shot. C-Tran would be a solution.

There is a reason to consider voting "No," though it seems to be based off of misunderstandings. The websites notolls.com and couv.com believe that Proposition 1 will be used to bring a MAX line to Vancouver. These sites list many moments in which C-Tran sought to make this happen. However, they provide only speculation, that Prop. 1 will be going towards the light rail.

Whether someone opposes or favors the MAX extension, it should not prevent the preservation of what little public transport we have. What these sites are fearing is a theoretical addition to our county from Portland that would take several years of discussions, plannings, budget approvals, and negotiations with Tri-Met. Why be motivated by a possible threat, or benefit, to cripple what we already have?

C-Tran is an essential part of Clark County's present and future. Many of its riders rely on this service as their only option to get to their doctor's office, job, classes, and homes. I find no reason to deny people public transportation just to save a penny the next time I order a cheeseburger.