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.