C-TRAN Launches Microtransit Service Across Clark County, WA 2022

The Clark County Public Transportation Benefit Area (C-TRAN) has launched The Current, a mobility on-demand service. Spare Labs serves as the booking and routing technology partner for this service. With The Current, customers can request shared point-to-point rides in five zones across Clark County: Washington State University (WSU) Vancouver/Salmon Creek, Rose Village, Camas/Washougal, the Port of Vancouver, and Ridgefield/La Center. Customers can book rides in real-time using an app, online portal, or phone. Passengers can also indicate if they need disability accommodations or a rack to carry their bicycle in their ride requests. A standard fare to use The Current is $1, the same as C-TRAN’s fixed-route system, and can be paid in cash or through the Hop Fastpass system onboard the vehicle. In the Port of Vancouver zone, The Current operates from 5:30 AM to 8:30 AM and from 2 PM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday. At the four other zones, The Current runs from 5:30 AM to 7 PM during the workweek.

C-TRAN launched The Current in coordination with changes to one new and eight existing fixed bus routes. In some places, The Current replaces C-TRAN’s fixed-route system outright. In rural and suburban locations, microtransit is often more efficient than fixed-route transit. Ridership, operating costs, and other metrics over time can help C-TRAN determine if The Current is a successful service.

Last updated March 11, 2022