C TRAN briefing: light-rail O&M could require local funding; board to revisit decision in March

C TRAN representatives briefed the La Center City Council on the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) program’s transit assumptions and the agency’s internal debate over whether C TRAN should contribute to light-rail operations and maintenance.

Scott Patterson, representing C TRAN, told the council the most recent IBR planning materials assume a 2033 opening year and estimate combined light-rail and incremental express-bus O&M at roughly $21.8 million in the first year of operation. Patterson said TriMet’s modeling assumes about 25% farebox recovery and that TriMet’s Oregon-side share would be about $8.3 million in the opening year while the Washington-side light-rail share would be about $6.8 million (express-bus additions on Washington’s side were estimated separately at roughly $443,000). Patterson said C TRAN earlier adopted restrictive language that would not obligate it to pay O&M but that, in November, the board directed staff to study more-flexible language allowing C TRAN to “may participate” in O&M funding. That change has prompted renewed debate; the board will take up a motion to return to the original, more-restrictive language at its March meeting so member jurisdictions can provide input.

Why it matters: Patterson said the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program is expected to be the largest single federal capital source for the project but pays capital only (not local O&M). The FTA evaluation requires updated capital-cost and ridership forecasts before a project rating can be assigned; those updates — and a planned capital-cost update — are expected this year. Patterson said decisions about committing to long-term O&M share typically must be resolved within roughly three years to meet FTA process timelines if the project proceeds to a federal capital grant.

Key figures presented by C TRAN staff (taken from the presentation): an opening-year O&M estimate of about $21.8 million (2033); expressed split roughly 55% of new light-rail track in Oregon and 45% in Washington; TriMet farebox recovery assumption ~25% (reducing local net O&M needs); estimated annual express-bus O&M in the presentation about $1.5 million. Patterson stressed these are planning-year projections subject to update pending the capital-cost and ridership analyses.

Council reaction and next steps: Council members asked for up-to-date ridership and systemwide numbers that reflect post-pandemic patterns; Patterson agreed to provide systemwide and historical (2019 and current) ridership data to the council. Council members also discussed tolls and other revenue sources; Patterson said toll revenue assumptions in the IBR program are not intended to cover transit O&M. He said, absent new state or federal commitments, local sales-tax measures would be among the options for funding local O&M shares if C TRAN or its partners decide to proceed.

Public comment: Two callers raised concerns. Margaret Tweed (Camas) told the council Camas City Council had adopted a resolution opposing light rail across the I-5 Columbia River Bridge and noted differences in capital and operating cost estimates between light rail and express bus. Melissa Platt (La Center United) gave an unrelated community-center events update earlier in public comment.

What’s next: Patterson said the C TRAN board will revisit language and possible commitments at its March meeting. Council members asked staff to prepare materials and public outreach options to assess local sentiment before C TRAN’s board decision. No formal action was taken by the La Center City Council at this meeting on funding for the IBR transit component.