“No” is a popular word in Clark County these days. No to baseball. No to biomass. No to a new bridge. As a community, we need to change our outlook, mindset and attitude, and begin getting to “yes.” Our next opportunity to do this is with Proposition 1.
There is a reason business leaders and organizations throughout Clark County support C-TRAN’s Proposition 1: 35 percent cuts to transit are simply unacceptable, and a step backward in our economic recovery.
Like many business people, I want to preserve our transit system because regardless of whether you ride the bus, we need reliable transit to keep people and goods moving throughout our region. That’s why the Columbia River Economic Development Council, Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, Vancouver Freight Alliance, Identity Clark County and many small businesses have joined the campaign.
Thousands of commuters and consumers take the bus – freeing up roadways for thousands more employees, shoppers, and of course suppliers and haulers. We cannot deny that our transportation system is just that – a system. And to keep moving forward as a region we need transit.
Like many community members, I want to preserve our bus service because so many rely on it for vital activities to their everyday lives, particularly seniors and those with disabilities who use C-TRAN to get to doctor appointments, the grocery store and church. That is why so many organizations such as Legacy Hospital Salmon Creek, the Clark County Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board and many churches have joined our coalition of supporters.
Before asking for our help, C-TRAN did the needed belt-tightening, cutting over $5 million and streamlining to preserve services. However, due to the recession and an increase in demand for services, more revenue is necessary to avoid 35 percent cuts to service.
The problem started in the year 2000 when the State of Washington was forced to eliminate a dollar-for-dollar match to the sales tax revenue that transit agencies collect. This had the effect of cutting C-TRAN’s revenue by over 40 percent. That has resulted in a $96 million loss over the last ten years. The recession hasn’t helped either, adding another $10.7 million loss since 2006. Add to that inflation, rising gas prices and an increase in demand – particularly for the most costly and federally-mandated C-VAN service (which is available for riders who are medically unable to ride fixed routes) and it is easy to see why C-TRAN needs additional revenue to avoid these devastating cuts.
Despite these challenges, C-TRAN has done a lot before putting Proposition 1 on the ballot. They have cut costs by eliminating 35 positions, imposing a wage freeze on non-represented staff, finding efficiencies within existing costs, delaying capital expenses and unfortunately, cutting bus service by 5.31 percent in 2010. The agency has also increased fares five times since 2005, giving it one of the highest farebox recovery rates in the state – meaning riders here pay a greater share for their ride than they would elsewhere.
Most important, C-TRAN has no debt. They have adopted a pay-as-you-go model saving millions in financing costs. Unfortunately, to delay asking the voters for additional revenue, they have been spending down their reserves and those reserves will run out in 2013, leaving C-TRAN no choice but to make 35 percent cuts or raise additional revenue.
The choice is clear. We must help C-TRAN help all of us, from all walks of life, who understand that regional mobility is a shared benefit with real impacts to our economy and quality of life. C-TRAN has done its part, now let’s do ours. Please join me in voting to approve Proposition 1 to avoid these cuts, save our bus service and keep Clark County moving.
I have given you many reasons to get to yes on Proposition 1. May this be the first of many yeses as we move our community forward.
Stephen W. Horenstein is a Vancouver-based business and real estate lawyer and the marketing partner for Miller Nash LLP. He can be reached at 360.699.4771 or Steve.Horenstein@MillerNash.com.
