
State representative is interested in supporting affordable and flexible transit solutions that deliver value to citizens and taxpayers
Rep. John Ley
for Clark County Today
Rep. John Ley attended the C-TRAN ribbon cutting for their new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line in Vancouver on Wednesday. The new line will run from WSU Vancouver down Highway 99 to downtown Vancouver, offering more frequent and higher-capacity bus service for transit riders. The total cost for the proposed construction is not expected to exceed $42.5 million, according to C-TRAN figures. This is the third line in C-TRAN’s BRT system.
“The $42 million project highlights a much more affordable, flexible, and efficient mass transit system for Vancouver and Clark County residents,” said Ley, R-Vancouver. “This contrasts with the $2 billion light rail extension proposed for the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program that extends Portland’s MAX light rail into Vancouver. The Yellow Line only travels 14 mph, whereas if we extend this BRT line into Portland, it will travel well over twice that speed.”
Ley is interested in supporting affordable and flexible transit solutions that deliver value to citizens and taxpayers. “The C-TRAN bus service offers better quality service and costs roughly 40% less per boarding rider to operate than TriMet’s MAX light rail. Clark County citizens do not want to pay more taxes for Portland’s troubled MAX light rail.”
The IBR is currently proposing to replace an over-congested 3-lane bridge with another 3-lane bridge that allocates 54 percent of the bridge surface to bikes, pedestrians and transit.
Adding the BRT line to the replacement bridge would save $2 billion and allow BRT buses to mingle with other vehicles on the bridge if the light rail tracks were replaced with two additional vehicle lanes. “Everyone wins under this scenario,” Ley concluded.
Information provided by Washington State House Republicans, houserepublicans.wa.gov
Also read:
- Letter: A call for competent Interstate Bridge project managementRick Vermeers argues that unchecked scope, rising costs, and missed timelines threaten the survival of the Interstate Bridge Replacement project unless light rail is removed.
- Rep. John Ley introduces bill to balance representation on Washington transportation boardsLegislation introduced by Rep. John Ley seeks to change how transportation board seats are allocated and prevent funding penalties tied to population-based representation rules.
- Opinion: IBR administrator receives generous Christmas gift on his way out the doorKen Vance argues that IBR leadership avoided accountability on rising project costs as Administrator Greg Johnson announced his departure without providing updated estimates.
- Update: Belkot’s legal team submits sheriff’s report to its case against Clark County CouncilMichelle Belkot’s legal challenge against the Clark County Council advanced after a sheriff’s report alleging rule violations was accepted into evidence.
- Opinion: ‘If you tolerate lies and dishonesty from the government, you’re guaranteed more’Lars Larson criticizes state officials for refusing to disclose updated cost estimates for the Interstate Bridge Replacement project, arguing that a lack of transparency guarantees further government dishonesty.






