Rep. John Ley shares his hope the C-TRAN Board votes unanimously to protect Clark County taxpayers from TriMet’s unreasonable demands
Rep. John Ley
for Clark County Today
Clark County taxpayers should avoid any financial entanglements with TriMet, especially tying C-TRAN to this out of state, broke organization. Presently, business taxes and property taxes make up 92 percent of TriMet’s operating revenues. Passenger fares only covered 8 percent of operating costs last year.
TriMet is looking for a financial life line from Clark County taxpayers. Their current demand for $7 million in annual Operations and Maintenance cost subsidy is merely the beginning. It’s the proverbial camel’s nose getting into the tent, if we say “yes” to this ridiculous demand. C-TRAN has provided bus service into Portland for over four decades. Neither TriMet nor Portland have contributed a penny towards these operating costs.
What has been revealed about TriMet in multiple Clark County Today articles over the past few years is eye-opening. If they were a private company, they would be bankrupt. No bank or financial institution would loan them money.
In the past decade, they have lost $6 billion. Their forward-looking financial projections indicate they will burn through at least another $1 billion taxpayer dollars in the next decade. I believe this is incredibly optimistic, given the fact that TriMet lost $850 million just last year.
If the coming decade matches the past decade, how much of a potential $6 billion in operating losses should Clark County taxpayers cover? I believe the overwhelming answer from the people would be “None!” if it was put to a vote.
On Tuesday, the C-TRAN Board of Directors can take a principled stand against TriMet’s ridiculous demand for a handout from Clark County taxpayers. The per miles costs they demand reimbursement for are a lie — more than 5 times actual operating and maintenance costs.
Add to this the ridiculous TriMet demand for 19 new light rail vehicles as part of the 1.8 mile MAX Yellow Line extension in the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) project. That’s ten vehicles per mile. This is an absurd request which Greg Johnson and his management team turn a blind eye to instead of throwing the BS flag and stopping the insanity of TriMet’s attempt to fleece taxpayers.
Those 19 new light vehicles are part of TriMet’s need to replace old vehicles that are at the end of their useful life. They have ordered 30 new vehicles and simply want the Washington taxpayer to foot part of the bill for MAX train cars that will be used throughout their entire system.
Added to the financial rip off is TriMet’s demand $190 million to $290 million for those 19 new light rail vehicles. That’s $10 million to $15 million each. Yet TriMet reportedly paid just $4.5 million for each of the four new light rail vehicles on their ten mile extension in their “Better Red” project last summer. Why would Washington taxpayers want to pay triple the price of anything, let alone buy transit vehicles for an organization owned and operated in another state?
The C-TRAN Board will vote on Tuesday, whether or not to protect Clark County taxpayers. Please submit written comments to C-TRAN Clerk of the Board/Executive Assistant Sindy Quitugua by noon on March 11, 2025; sindy.quitugua@c-tran.org or 360-906-7303.
As has been reported, C-TRAN has reduced their bus service over the Columbia River in the past five years. Ridership is flat at less than 1,000 people a day. There is no need for any “high capacity” transit across the river. Our current C-TRAN buses more than meet the demand.
Let’s hope the C-TRAN Board votes unanimously to protect Clark County taxpayers from TriMet’s unreasonable demands. If they don’t, voters should hold them accountable.
Also read:
- Belkot speaks before C-TRAN board; directors pause vote on light rail funding language until July
Michelle Belkot spoke at Tuesday’s C-TRAN board meeting, calling her removal from the board unlawful; directors postponed a vote on light rail funding language until July amid legal challenges. - Travel Advisory: Expect delays on northbound I-5 near RidgefieldWSDOT is warning travelers to expect delays near Exit 14 on northbound I-5 in Ridgefield as crews begin barrier and lane improvement work supporting future development.
- Large crowd expected at C-TRAN Board of Directors Meeting Tuesday, April 15
A large turnout is expected at the April 15 C-TRAN board meeting, where public input and a key vote on light rail funding will follow the recent removal of Michelle Belkot. - Letter: ‘The IBR needs a more cost-effective design’Bob Ortblad argues the I-5 Bridge replacement project is overbudget and inefficient, urging a more cost-effective tunnel alternative to avoid excessive tolls and taxpayer burden.
- Clark County beginning installation of upgraded traffic signals in mid-April
Clark County will begin upgrading multiple traffic and pedestrian signals in mid-April to improve safety, accessibility, and transportation technology.
Great points all, but figure the odds of getting Vancouver’s Mayor to agree to any of it.
As usual, a great article that is presented well and with supporting facts. Unfortunately, John, you are pretty much “preaching to the choir” here in CCT.
Why isn’t the Columbian printing this article? Or at least one of their infamous watered-down versions? Why is it only crickets-chirping from our “locally owned, independent newspaper”?
We all know the answer to this. And we also know why mayor annie hasn’t, and won’t, touch such an article.
Between the IBR and the related TriMet issue, the Fourth Plain traffic revisions, Fort Vancouver Way traffic revision, Mcgilvary (sp?) and other east end revisions, the removal of parking on Columbia to make room for maybe 5 bicycles a day and, now, the recent parking debacle in downtown (“let’s eliminate spaces and raise rates to improve parking”)… who in the world could actually vote for these incumbents thinking they’ve kept us regular folks’ best interests in mind?!?!
It truly is time for a major turnover of elected officials in Vancouver City at this upcoming election. And it truly is time for the C-Tran Board to do the right thing and tell TriMet that Clark County’s taxpayers are all tapped out.
The Columbian apparently has an unwritten policy against printing any criticism of city council decisions. And, the council doesn’t like cars and likes light rail.
Thank you for this. I have written to Sindy. I suggest that everyone get an email off to her immediately.
One problem is that Portland has already disemboweled the tax base that use to be downtown Portland. Tri-Met spends money like drunken sailors. Because of the mass exodus of commerce from Portland and the State of Oregon, they face a revenue crisis. Now they want to turn their reckless attention to the taxpayers of Vancouver and Clark county. No thank you.
No kidding. Not likely.
Good article! Now is the time to push the entire issue of funding the $2 billion light rail construction across the new bridge to DOGE. They need to squash the terrible boondoggle Tri-Met is attempting to foist on Clark County citizens. Mr. Ley, please push this issue to the DOGE group!!
No one has shown a need for light rail. Some folks want it because it isn’t cars. Most Vancouverites would vote against it if the could and if they were given the truth about the impact on taxes and tolls. A tiny minority will use it if the fares are subsidized enough. The vast majority will be stuck paying the bill.
Do not give money to TriMet.