C-TRAN offers free fares on New Year’s Eve, and from talking to a few riders just after midnight, it was clear that the service was appreciated and, in some cases, needed

Paul Valencia
Clark County Today

It was about 30 minutes after midnight, a half-hour into the New Year, when Shaun walked to the Turtle Place Station in downtown Vancouver, awaiting a C-TRAN bus on the Green Line, to ride The Vine on Fourth Plain.

He was a bit wobbly, trying to coordinate his legs with the rest of his inebriated body.

A security officer, posted at the station, asked Shaun if he was OK. Sean smiled and said, “Happy New Year.” 

Shaun, who did not want to give his last name, said he rarely drinks. 

“I’m drinking New Year’s just to celebrate the passing of my spirit to a different energy of my spirit,” he said.

OK then. 

It was clear that Shaun was in no condition to drive.

No problem. C-TRAN had his back.

Once again, C-TRAN and its corporate sponsors offered free fares starting at 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve through extended hours into the wee hours of the morning after midnight. The Vine on Mill Plain — the Red Line — was also available late, as were several other routes, including one that stops at ilani in Ridgefield, a party destination for the evening.

As Shawn made his way onto the Green Line, three other men had made their way from a nearby bar and hopped on the bus, as well.

“If this service wasn’t available, these guys would be carrying my …,” said one man, who did not want to give his name.

The Vine pulled away with about 10 people on the bus. By the time it reached the Van Mall Transit Center, all had exited at various stops. Two more people got on the bus at the mall, on their way home.

“This is the safest option,” said Keara Warner, who recently moved to Clark County from Arizona and uses C-TRAN every day for work and to get home. “With everything going on on New Year’s, with the alcohol and everything, this is a really good service. One free night is doing a great service.”

Marty Niehaus has been driving for C-TRAN for four-and-a-half years. This was his first shift on New Year’s Eve.

“A lot of people are downtown. That’s something that is a little different,” he said of the late shift on a Wednesday night, early Thursday morning.

He would be driving for a little longer on this shift, with C-TRAN extending its hours. Niehaus said it makes him feel good to be part of transportation solutions for folks. Not just on the holiday, but every day. 

On this particular shift, though, he understands he is not just helping with public transportation but also public safety.

“We’re here for anybody who wants to take public transit instead of doing something more dangerous,” Niehaus said. “A lot of people need it.”

“C-TRAN started doing this a number of years ago as a public health and public safety initiative,” said Eric Florip, manager of communications and marketing for C-TRAN. “We’ve had a very positive response. Ridership is great, but ridership is not the No. 1 goal of providing free service on New Year’s Eve. If we prevent anyone from driving impaired, allowing that person to get home safely, then that’s a victory.”

The free fares program is sponsored by the Washington Department of Transportation, ilani, People’s Community Credit Union, and the Port of Vancouver USA.