Two slight corrections:

Vancouver doesn't "hate" public transit. The September 20, 2005 ballot measure to keep C-TRAN running 7 days a week passed in a "landslide," and Vancouver itself had some of the stronger "yes" precincts for the failed November 2004 measure.

Also, this was the Board of Clark County Commissioners voting on the issue, not a City of Vancouver commission. This is synonymous with calling the Multnomah County Board a "Portland commission."

Buses are also a necessary part of public transit. Having a light rail system and no bus system to complement/back it up is like a tree with no branches.

If anyone hasn't noticed who runs those shiny silver hybrid buses that serve Downtown Portland on weekdays, yes that's C-TRAN. Also, all (that I know of) C-TRAN buses offer rides with all-temperature climate control, and cleaner interiors than TriMet. Something to think about when riding a 20-year-old, overcrowded, un-air-conditioned TriMet bus, playing "Name That Stain" and "What's That Fishy Smell?" while trying to commute to/from work.

It may soon be time to again get out my "Yes for Jobs! Yes for C-TRAN!" sign. ;)

BTW, Intercity Transit of Thurston County, Washington (Olympia/Lacey/Tumwater) went to the ballot there, and their vote is Aug. 17th. If anyone would like to see a system that won "America's Best Public Transportation System" in 2009 (the award TriMet won in 1989 and hasn't won since), now's never been a better time.