The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) has approved service changes for the Intercity Transit system beginning May 22, 2017. The changes will affect bus schedules on all VCTC Intercity Transit routes. The intent is to streamline and improve efficiency of the regional transit system while limiting impacts to riders.

“As a responsible steward of public funds, VCTC must operate its bus system as efficiently as possible,” said VCTC Executive Director Darren Kettle. “We never undertake service changes lightly, and these modifications will help optimize service and address increasing congestion while minimizing the impacts to our riders.”

While schedule changes will impact all routes in VCTC’s Intercity Transit system, the most extensive changes will occur on the two routes funded in partnership with other agencies: Coastal Express and CSUCI. The Coastal Express, a heavily used bus line connecting Oxnard and Ventura with Carpinteria, Santa Barbara and Goleta, is jointly funded by VCTC and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG). California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) funds the operation of a pair of routes serving the university.

As a result of low ridership, mid-day and weekend Coastal Express service will be reduced, and travel times on some trips will be adjusted by 15-20 minutes to account for increased traffic congestion and road construction. “The Coastal Express is critically important to addressing the traffic congestion in the Ventura-Santa Barbara corridor, and SBCAG looks forward to partnering in the future with VCTC to make the service as effective, efficient, and attractive as possible to draw commuters out of their cars” said SBCAG Executive Director Marjie Kirn.

During CSUCI’s summer break (May 22-Aug. 28, 2017), the two lines serving CSUCI will be suspended and replaced with a new line that combines CSUCI service with the existing Oxnard/Camarillo Connector. This new line, Oxnard/Camarillo/CSUCI (#96), will include Sunday service and stops in downtown Camarillo, the Camarillo Outlets and the Oxnard Transit Center. Direct service, however, between CSUCI and the Center Point Mall (C Street) in Oxnard will be eliminated during the summer break.

“When the financial contributions of our partners -- as well as those from traditional State and Federal funding sources -- change, there is a direct impact to levels of service on the Intercity Transit system,” Kettle said.
In all, service will be reduced about 8% across the entire VCTC system. In addition to the partner-funded routes, all other VCTC Intercity bus lines will experience adjustments to routes, stops and schedules. Riders can view the new bus schedules, which go into effect on May 22, at www.goventura.org/travel-ventura.

In concert with the service changes, VCTC will also roll out streamlined rider information materials on May 22. The materials, including redesigned schedule brochures and bus-stop signage, will make navigating the VCTC system easier and more intuitive. The new materials will also introduce a route numbering system to clarify deviations to specific landmarks that are serviced by some, but not all, trips along a certain line.

For more information visit www.goventura.org/travel-ventura or call (800) 438-1112.

About the Ventura County Transportation Commission
The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available at goventura.org.