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VCTC, bus operators to provide free rides Feb. 5th
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, February 1st, 2024
CAMARILLO, Calif. – In honor of Transit Equity Day and the birthday of civil rights leader Rosa Parks, the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) and the county’s transit operators will provide free bus rides on Monday, Feb. 5. Participating operators are Camarillo Area Transit, Gold Coast Transit District, Moorpark City Transit, Ojai Trolley, Simi Valley Transit, Thousand Oaks Transit, Valley Express and VCTC Intercity. Camarillo Area Transit and Valley Express will provide free on-demand dial-a-ride services on Monday, Feb. 5. Transit Equity Day honors Rosa Parks' birthday on Feb. 4 and highlights Parks’ role in igniting a change to advance a more just and equitable public transit system for all. VCTC is observing the day on Feb. 5 to ensure all local operators can participate. “Transit Equity Day is an opportunity for VCTC to put our values into action by honoring those who have worked to ensure equity in transportation. On this day, we are reminded that VCTC must continue to fulfill our core mission, which is to create a more connected, resilient, equitable and user-friendly transportation system for Ventura County,” said VCTC Public Transit Director Claire Grasty. Transit Equity Day is part of VCTC’s new Free Fare Days Program, which began in September 2023. The pilot program allows people to ride any bus service within Ventura County for free on designated days through June 2024. In addition to Transit Equity Day, the remaining Free Fare Days are Earth Day on April 22, 2024; Bike to Work Day on May 17, 2024 (only for those who are also biking); and Dump the Pump Day on June 17, 2024. “Our Free Fare Days Program is just one of our many projects that focuses on ensuring fair and equitable access to high-quality transit service for all residents and visitors who travel within Ventura County and beyond,” Grasty said. The Free Fare Days program is funded by a grant obtained and administered by VCTC from California’s Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP), a part of the state’s cap-and-trade program. LCTOP provides funds to public transportation agencies for investments in capital projects and services that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve mobility. Other local programs supported by LCTOP are Youth Ride Free, College Ride and Metrolink’s Ventura County Line Weekend Train Service. For more information about the Free Fare Day Program, visit goventura.org/free. *** About the Ventura County Transportation Commission |
