C-TRAN
C-TRAN is the public transit authority for Clark County, Washington, providing fixed-route bus, Bus Rapid Transit (The Vine), on-demand microtransit (The Current), paratransit (C-VAN), and express service to Portland for county residents, commuters, and seniors or riders with disabilities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersVancouver, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What C-TRAN does
C-TRAN, formally the Clark County Transportation District, is a public transit agency headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, serving Clark County with multimodal bus and paratransit services. Founded in 1981 and operating from two administrative sites in Vancouver, the agency runs 30+ fixed bus routes, two Bus Rapid Transit corridors (The Vine on Mill Plain/Red Line and The Vine on Fourth Plain/Green Line), express commuter service to downtown Portland and Marquam Hill/OHSU, the on-demand microtransit service The Current across multiple zones (including a 2025 launch in Battle Ground), and the ADA-compliant C-VAN paratransit service. Technology infrastructure centers on NextRide real-time stop identification, GTFS static and real-time data feeds for developer and third-party use, the Transit mobile app for trip planning and rider alerts, the Spare Labs–powered Current app for on-demand bookings, and the Hop Fastpass regional contactless fare payment system integrated with TriMet.
The business model is a hybrid of farebox revenue and public subsidy typical of U.S. transit authorities. Passenger fares are unit-priced (~$1.50 adult ride on The Current; $0.75 honored fare; day and monthly passes), complemented by free or discounted programs including the Youth Opportunity Pass (free for riders 18 and under) and the Heroes Pass for first responders. The majority of operating and capital funding flows from federal, state, and local government sources; the agency also supports employer-based transit benefit programs. Distribution channels include five transit centers, multiple park-and-ride facilities, hundreds of bus stops, branded BRT stations, mobile apps (Transit, The Current), and phone-based booking.
As a government entity with statutorily defined service territory and exclusive jurisdiction over public transit in Clark County, C-TRAN has no direct private-sector competitors within its service area. Strategic relationships include technology partnerships with Transit and Spare Labs, regional service integration with TriMet in Portland, and academic and community coordination with WSU Vancouver and a Community Advisory Committee. The agency is governed by a publicly appointed Board of Directors under Washington State RCW provisions, with current executive leadership under CEO Shawn M. Donaghy.
C-TRAN firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- C-TRAN
- Legal name
- C-TRAN (Clark County Transportation District)
- Website
- https://c-tran.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- C-TRAN is the public transit authority for Clark County, Washington, providing fixed-route bus, Bus Rapid Transit (The Vine), on-demand microtransit (The Current), paratransit (C-VAN), and express service to Portland for county residents, commuters, and seniors or riders with disabilities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where C-TRAN is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vancouver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
C-TRAN business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Passenger Fare Revenue: C-TRAN generates revenue through passenger fares collected via cash, Hop Fastpass system, and passes. Standard adult fare is $1.50 for The Current on-demand service, with discounted rates for honored riders and free youth passage.
- Government Transit Funding: As a public transit authority, C-TRAN receives government subsidies and funding from federal, state, and local sources to support operations and capital investments.
- Special Transit Programs: Revenue from specialized fare programs including day passes, monthly passes, Youth Opportunity Pass (free for youth 18 and under), Heroes Pass for first responders, and employer-based transit benefits.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Adult fare for The Current on-demand service |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Honored fare for seniors and passengers with disabilities |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fixed-route bus fares |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
C-TRAN product offering
Product offeringCore offering
C-TRAN provides multi-modal public transit services across Clark County, Washington, operating more than 30 fixed-route bus lines, bus rapid transit (The Vine) on dedicated lanes, on-demand microtransit (The Current) in Battle Ground, Ridgefield, and Salmon Creek, ADA-compliant paratransit (C-VAN), and express commuter service to Portland and Marquam Hill. Riders can plan trips via the Transit app, receive real-time arrival data via NextRide stop IDs, and pay fares using the Hop Fastpass regional electronic fare card or one-way and day passes.
Product overview
C-TRAN is a public transit agency providing multimodal transportation services throughout Clark County, Washington. The portfolio includes fixed-route bus service (30+ routes), The Vine Bus Rapid Transit system with Red and Green lines, The Current on-demand microtransit service (developed with Spare Labs), and C-VAN paratransit service. The ecosystem is connected through the Transit app, GTFS data feeds, and Hop Fastpass fare integration, with The Current seamlessly integrated for multimodal trips combining on-demand and fixed-route options.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Vine on Mill Plain (Red Line): Bus rapid transit line on Mill Plain corridor
- The Vine on Fourth Plain (Green Line)
- The Current
Products and services
- The Vine (Bus Rapid Transit - Mill Plain)
Companies that use C-TRAN
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
C-TRAN technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature4 records
C-TRAN partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- TransitcoreTransit is C-TRAN's official mobile app partner for real-time information and trip planning. The Transit app provides up-to-the-minute arrival times, vehicle location tracking, trip planning, and multimodal integration with TriMet for regional trips. C-TRAN-specific rider alerts are available within the app. Thousands of C-TRAN riders use Transit monthly.
- Spare LabscoreSpare Labs developed The Current app for C-TRAN's on-demand microtransit service. The partnership enables app-based booking, real-time vehicle tracking, and driver routing for The Current rideshare service operating in 6 zones across Clark County.
- TriMetcoreTriMet is the regional transit authority serving the Portland metropolitan area. C-TRAN's Transit app integrates TriMet schedules and arrivals for seamless regional trip planning, enabling riders to plan multimodal journeys combining C-TRAN and TriMet services.
- WSU VancouvercoreWashington State University Vancouver is a key destination served by C-TRAN routes including Route 19 (Salmon Creek) and The Current WSU Vancouver/Salmon Creek service zone. The partnership provides students and staff with transit access to campus.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
C-TRAN competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Customer concentration
C-TRAN social profiles
Digital presenceC-TRAN financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
C-TRAN leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
C-TRAN subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
C-TRAN funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
C-TRAN M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about C-TRAN
What does C-TRAN do?
C-TRAN provides multi-modal public transit services across Clark County, Washington, operating more than 30 fixed-route bus lines, bus rapid transit (The Vine) on dedicated lanes, on-demand microtransit (The Current) in Battle Ground, Ridgefield, and Salmon Creek, ADA-compliant paratransit (C-VAN), and express commuter service to Portland and Marquam Hill. Riders can plan trips via the Transit app, receive real-time arrival data via NextRide stop IDs, and pay fares using the Hop Fastpass regional electronic fare card or one-way and day passes.
Is C-TRAN a public or private company?
C-TRAN is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was C-TRAN founded?
C-TRAN was founded in 1981. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is C-TRAN based?
C-TRAN is headquartered in Vancouver, United States, in the North America region.
How does C-TRAN make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Passenger Fare Revenue is the primary driver. The others are government Transit Funding and special Transit Programs.
Does C-TRAN have an API?
No public API is recorded for C-TRAN.