Full Forecaste

Story Photos

More people are riding Lower Columbia CAP’s I-5 vans between Vancouver and Tumwater. Friday, at least 20 people piled into the van in Longview for its 12:10 p.m. run. (Photo by Roger Werth / The Daily News)

Past Month's Most Commented Stories

Home > Top Story

More people paying $1 to ride a van north, south on I-5

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 12:15 AM PDT

By Cheryll A. Borgaard

Font Size:
 
 

Marie Alarcon had heard everyone talking about the dollar bus to Vancouver, and Monday, she rode it for the first time. Alarcon is part of the growing number of riders using the Lower Columbia CAP’s I-5 vans, which make four daily round trips south to Vancouver and two north to Tumwater.

CAP officials say the increase in ridership is “skyrocketing,” likely due to high fuel prices. The cost to ride the van is only $1 per route.

“Well, actually it costs more than $1 to make it to Portland, but it’s still it’s pretty cheap,” said Alarcon, 29, who lives in Olympia, but is moving to Portland to start a new job.

CAP’s I-5 vans are funded through the state Department of Transportation’s rural transportation program. The $400,000 grant is renewable every two years. CAP’s transportation manager, Kelly Wagoner, said he’s confident CAP will receive a new grant when the present one is done a year from now.

“We have such a strong case for our ridership, I don’t see it going away,” he said.

Aug. 1 was a single-day record on the Vancouver route with 101 riders, or an average of 25 for the four round trips. And that’s in a 15-passenger van.

On Monday’s 12:10 p.m. run to Vancouver, 21 people piled into the van, many of them with overstuffed backpacks and totes.

Tashua Wheeler, 26 of Longview, was taking the van only as far as Woodland, where she was going to return books to the library.

“I don’t even want to get my driver’s license,” said Wheeler, who takes the CAP van at least two times a month and regularly rides the local CUBS buses.

At the Kalama stop, two people were waiting for the van.

“Oh, my Lord!” said Sherry True when she saw the standing-room-only crowd. She and her partner, Randall Cox, debated for a few seconds about waiting for the next one four hours later.

“Nope, we have to get on this one,” Cox said, and after finding out that two people would be getting off in Woodland, the couple settled on the steps by the door.

True, 48, who lives and Vancouver and Cox, 51, who lives in Kalama, said they are regular customers. “It’s how we get together,” said Cox, who rides about three times a week.

“It was nice that they let us get on (in Kalama,)” True said. “Everyone is starting to discover it, it’s so cheap. It’s a comfortable ride, especially if you can get a seat.”

Tony Jessen has been driving the CAP vans for almost five years. He makes the four trips to Vancouver each weekday.

“Each month I seeing (ridership) going up,” he said. “We don’t know what to expect, how many people will be at each stop. Sometimes I have to turn them away to wait for the next bus, but I try to get as many on as possible.”

Jessen said he sees quite a few regulars during the week, “people working in Portland or maybe WSU students.”

Jason Schefer of Longview has been riding the CAP van for about three months and uses is two to three times a week to get to his job in security at the Red Lion in Vancouver.

“I leave at 6:10 in the morning and come back at 5:05 at night,” said Schefer, 32. “It’s a great bargain,” he said, flashing a 20-ride pass he purchased from CAP. “And you get two free rides when you buy the pass.”

Wagoner said with the next grant, he hopes to add another Vancouver route and may also adjust a route one hour later or one hour earlier to accommodate people like Schefer.

Wagoner said the high cost of gas is likely drawing more riders, but he also credits word of mouth. ”Word spreads from the schools and the homeless population, but it isn’t just transients and students going back and forth,” he said. “It’s people who might have medical appointments and that’s the only way they can get there.”

That was true of the couple who got on in Woodland, she toting a baby carrier and he a folded up stroller. As they hurried away from the Vancouver drop-off, they said they were on the way to a hospital appointment and didn’t have time to talk to a reporter.

So, now that first-time rider Alarcon has found the “dollar bus,” will she continue to take advantage of the cheap transportation?

“Oh, yeah,” she said. “I still have a lot of friends and things going on in Olympia, so even after I move, I’ll be using it.”

Beavis Carries a .45 wrote on Aug 12, 2008 7:49 AM:

" I find it kind of odd that a van specifically designed to only carry 15 passengers is somehow carrying about 20-25. Standing room only? You couldn't pay me to stand in that shuttle bus while rolling down I-5. That's a death wish waiting to happen. I've seen that bus before going down the highway. I guess I'll look next time to see if it's standing room only. I wonder how much the ticket is for that? Would the riders be responsible for the fine, or would the driver or CAP have to pay? Anybody know the phone number to the WSP detachment in Kelso? "

Kelso Resident wrote on Aug 12, 2008 8:21 AM:

" Wow, I always rode the Cubs Bus and I never knew why the Cap bus was there, now I do. I been wanting to go to Vancover so much now I have a way, thanks cap. "

pacnwmom wrote on Aug 12, 2008 8:34 AM:

" How is it legal for them to cram that many on the van? sitting on the steps by the door--- seems very dangerous to me? Your life is worth more than a dollar. "

boo275 wrote on Aug 12, 2008 8:45 AM:

" hmmmm.... Is there seat belts in the aisle? How can the state ticket drivers when a state funded van has people sitting in the aisle? It is bad enough police officers do not have to wear their belts........ "

LH wrote on Aug 12, 2008 9:24 AM:

" You guys never rode the bus down I-95 in Virginia holding onto the pole! Whew, going down I-5 is NOTHING! "

flatbakman wrote on Aug 12, 2008 9:53 AM:

" If people looked around to see how many options there are out there to be able to use public transportation instead of their private vehicles, I think they would be very surprised. Using only public transportation, I have been able to go from Portland to Longview, to Cathlamet, to Nasele, to Long Beach, tour the Olympic Penninsula, and finally make it to Bellingham. Total cost was less than $10.00.
And yes, if all the seats were full, standing room only, or sitting in the isles was allowed. You see it all the time in the larger metro areas as well as in other countries. "

dogshead wrote on Aug 12, 2008 10:13 AM:

" My guess is that it is not illeagal to ride in this van without a seatbelt. School bus's do not have them. Other public transportation does not have them. Can someone who knows the law help us here? "

pacnwmom wrote on Aug 12, 2008 10:55 AM:

" I am guessing that seatbelts are not a requirement. They aren't on city buses or school buses. But isn't there a capacity/weight limit on those vans. It's not like its a full size bus. It just seems very dangerous to sit on the steps. "

boo275 wrote on Aug 12, 2008 11:14 AM:

" If it is true that seat belts are not required on public transportation, what is the purpose behind the seat belt law? People grumble the seat belt law is only for raising revenue and not saving lives. If it is to only "save lives", shouldn't public transportation (including police officers) be required to "click it or ticket"? "

KelsoLesbian wrote on Aug 12, 2008 11:17 AM:

" Seatbelts are only reqiured if they are available. After all seatbelts have been exhausted then it is legal to ride without one. --- I think --- "

tally ho wrote on Aug 12, 2008 11:52 AM:

" It's too bad TDN had to put this article in the paper as now it will probably just cause trouble for a service that is very dearly needed now. Maybe some of these good citizens would like to offer transportation to people who have no other way to get north & south. Things are tough all over, and not likely to get better for a long time, so don't jump all over a service that is
helping so many get on with their lives. "

cynic954 wrote on Aug 12, 2008 12:12 PM:

" Try that in a private vehicle and the charge is reckless endangerment plus no seatbelt tickets for all not wearing them. CAP is above the law. "

MadDog wrote on Aug 12, 2008 12:15 PM:

" There is probably no requirement for seatbelts in transit vehicles. Private vehicles should be restricted to carry passengers ONLY is positions with seat belts. There should never be passengers in the bed of a pickup or the back of a cargo van. "

Quarter4MyThoughts wrote on Aug 12, 2008 12:43 PM:

" I would guess that seatbelts are not a requirement in these type of vehicles. If they were CAP would most likely lose their state funding for not following the law. I, myself, would definately not feel safe sitting on the stairs of the doorway going 70 mph down the freeway. I have issues enough with school buses not requiring seatbelts. I am on edge all day, when my children go on an out-of-town field trip with their school. Elsewise, I think CAP is offering a great opportunity for people who don't mind the added risk. As for me, I will continue to pay the 50 dollars in gas to ensure the safety of my children and I. "

Atrucker wrote on Aug 12, 2008 1:07 PM:

" Let's see , Seattle metro has standing room omly at times, as do many Portland buses, Everett CT ,same deal .
So what is your point bloggers ?
I would say nothing is being done wrong , I have never seen seat belts in a large bus . Van yes. "

boo275 wrote on Aug 12, 2008 1:32 PM:

" Maddog what is the difference between a private vehicle and a public one? The law should be the same for both. "

boo275 wrote on Aug 12, 2008 1:34 PM:

" Atrucker, the story is about vans, not large busses. "

Billy Hill wrote on Aug 12, 2008 1:46 PM:

" People.....people.....this is "third world" type behavior. To complete the picture just stack a bunch of old suit cases on the top and have a few homeless people hanging on the outside of the bus.....pretty soon wont need a schedule the "stank" will signal its arrival. But look at it this way, the indigent can still purchase cases of "Disani" drinking water, crab and lobster paid for by money stolen by the state from tax payers and given to those who apply. As long as the Democrats running this state stay insane the rest of us will be just fine. "

Attila The Honey wrote on Aug 12, 2008 1:48 PM:

" You people nagging and complaining about safety regulations have obviously never lived life in desperation, and you should thank your lucky stars. I have Medicaid and Medicare and I need to go all the way up to Seattle to be seen by a doctor because available medical care is so miserable here in Longview. That CAP bus has been an incredible blessing to me, what with Amtrak and Greyhound tickets running about $40 round-trip. Those of you who have never had to live dangerously, thank your Gods. Sure, it's cramped, stifling hot in the summer, and crowded as all get-out, but when you look beyond the sometimes shabby appearance of the CAP riders, you will find kind, interesting people with hearts of gold. In my book, a person who has to ride CAP for $1.00 just to get by is worth 5 of the people who cruise down the freeway in their Hummers with no passengers. "

lola*in*longview wrote on Aug 12, 2008 2:32 PM:

" I've rode the van it has room to add seats if they need more, or to take them out to make room for wheelchairs and every seat has seatbelts. "

Beavis Carries a .45 wrote on Aug 12, 2008 3:27 PM:

" Who performs the maintinence on these death traps?!!! "

Banana Hammock wrote on Aug 12, 2008 3:33 PM:

" Billy Hill, I agree with you. We are headed toward the third world and the more they tax us the faster we will get there. "

LongviewFam wrote on Aug 12, 2008 4:50 PM:

" The problem isn't the lack of seatbelts. It's already been established that public transportation doesn't require them. The issue is people sitting on those stairs. I commuted from Seattle to a suburb for years. The busses would NEVER let you do that. It says right on the stairs, "DO NOT SIT HERE". What if they were sideswiped or swerved and the people fell out? Yikes. I feel awful people don't have any other option but to sit there. I like the idea of a shuttle though. "

Crystal wrote on Aug 12, 2008 4:59 PM:

" Public transportation is exempt from the seatbelt laws. If they weren't, do you really think there would be any bus drivers if they had to babysit everyone and make sure each and every person had their seatbelt on when dozens of people ride one bus? Give me a break. "

bug wrote on Aug 12, 2008 5:06 PM:

" I've been looking forward to riding this too and from WSU Vanc this fall. Granted, being seat belted in makes me feel more safe; however, $2/day is a great price. I would rather use public transportation and pay more than drive my truck and waste gas. 40 miles one way = 80 miles/20mpg = 4 gal * $4 = $16/day * 5 days = $80/wk vs $10. Kinda makes sense to me. Not to mention not burning 20 gal per week. "

DUH wrote on Aug 12, 2008 6:02 PM:

" Use a bigger bus and charge $2.00 each way. Still a good deal and everybody gets a seat. "

Kelso Resident wrote on Aug 12, 2008 6:57 PM:

" It's sad, something good is going on and the people who posted on here are only concerned with the seatbelts. It's sad... "

mole wrote on Aug 12, 2008 7:03 PM:

" re:DUH,somtimes the obvious is hard to see.MY PERMANENT SEAT ON THE WILLOW GROVE SCHOOL BUS WAS THE STEPS. "

Toutle Mom wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:27 AM:

" It appears that some people on here would rather that those less fortunate should have no alternatives, rather than have economic, viable, dependable, environmentally friendly methods of transport. To them, I say "Shake the Cobwebs From Between Your Ears and Get A Clue." As for the CAP rides, "Good Show" and "Thank You." This has provided many with accessible transportation and will hopefully expand relieving the unnecessary traffic from the highways - - which will in turn reduce the number of drivers on the road and increase safety as a result. "

Quarter4MyThoughts wrote on Aug 13, 2008 12:09 PM:

" No one on here is degrading the people that use this type of transportation. We are simply stating that it does not seem too safe. By all means CAP deserves kudos for providing this service. BUT, if we were reading an article about one of these vans in an accident on the freeway, and there were many casualties due to exceeding capacity and such, numerous people would be asking why people were allowed to do so, and why the State is funding such an unsafe program. "

Top Jobs
More Top Jobs
Top Garage Sales
More Top Garage Sales
Top Rentals
More Top Rentals