Park and ride lots provide locations for commuters to meet carpools and vanpools, and catch buses if transit services are not available near their residences. WSDOT monitors the usage of park and rides lots owned or managed by public agencies, as well as private lots. Refer to WSDOT's Handbook for Corridor Capacity Evaluation (PDF 5.9MB).
Park and ride lots serve a wide variety of commuters, including carpoolers, vanpoolers, transit riders, bicyclists and pedestrians. Park and ride locations are essential for transit riders and carpoolers, and must have high utilization rates to be considered successful. Targeted outreach efforts from transit agencies as well as employer Commute Trip Reduction initiatives help address highway capacity needs in the Vancouver region.
Source: WSDOT Public Transportation Division.
Note: Since 2020, Evergreen Transit Center temporarily closed for use as a Safe Parking Zone, which provides a place for people sheltering in their vehicles.
Performance highlights
In 2023, park and ride lot usage had mixed results compared to 2022, but it was still lower than the pre-pandemic level. Park and ride usage was between 8% and 47% in the Vancouver area. Along the I-5 corridor, the 99th Street Transit Center average usage rate was down 2% from 10% in 2022 to 8% in 2023.
In 2022, park and ride lot usage increased compared to 2021, but it was still lower than the pre-pandemic level. Park and ride usage was between 9% and 44% in the Vancouver area. Along the I-5 corridor, the 99th Street Transit Center average usage rate was up 2% from 8% in 2021 to 10% in 2022.
In 2021, park and ride lot usage increased compared to 2020, but it was still lower than the pre-pandemic level. Park and ride usage was between 6% and 43% at locations in Vancouver. Along the I-5 corridor, the 99th Street Transit Center had an average usage rate of 5% in 2020 and increased to 8% in 2021.
In 2020, due to the statewide response to COVID-19, there was a significant decrease in park and ride use compared to previous years. In 2020, park and ride usage was between 5% and 41% at locations in Vancouver. Along the I-5 corridor, the 99th Street Transit Center had an average use rate of 55% in 2019 and dropped to 5% in 2020.
The City of Vancouver and C-TRAN Board of Directors have allowed C-TRAN's Evergreen Transit Center to be used as a temporary Safe Parking Zone from June 2020. This program allows individuals who are living in their vehicles to have a safe and organized place to stay.
In 2019, between 15% and 98% of available spaces at park and ride locations in the Vancouver region were occupied. The Andresen Park and Ride had the highest average utilization rate (98%).
Park and ride locations are essential parts of the transit service network and need to consistently have enough available spaces for transit riders and carpoolers. To be considered effective, park and ride lots must also have high utilization rates. Any park and ride lot that has 85% or more utilization is identified as operating at capacity.
Targeted outreach efforts from transit agencies as well as employer Commute Trip Reduction initiatives help address regional highway capacity issues.
