C-Tran Fights Smog for Free

VANCOUVER, Wash—As the warm days of summer begin to take hold, C-TRAN, the transit agency in Clark County, Wash., will once again offer free fares on days that are declared "red" — or high-alert Air Pollution Advisory days.
On days when temperatures are high and there is no wind, pollution from cars, gas-powered engines, lawnmowers and various consumer products like hair spray create high levels of smog. In response, The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, along with the Southwest Washington Clean Air Agency, issues air pollution advisories for the Portland-Vancouver region.
C-TRAN's free service on these days covers all of its routes, including Portland Premium Express routes, all five of the connector service areas and C-VAN.
The hope is that, by offering free service on these days, people will be encouraged to ride the bus or carpool; every car left home on high-alert days will help keep the level of pollutants down.
air pollution advisories are issued an average of five days each summer, according to the Southwest Washington Clean Air Agency. C TRAN's ridership on such days has increased as much as 20 percent over the last few years.
In addition to free bus service, C-TRAN provides trip planning assistance and information on fares, schedules and a system map. The agency also encourages employers in Clark County to ask their employees to ride the bus, carpool or take a vanpool to work on high-alert air pollution advisory days.
For more information, call C-TRAN, at 360-695-0123 or visit www.c-tran. com.