Story Courtesy goventura.org

VISTA bus riders may soon encounter some service disruption arising from recent bankruptcy proceedings associated with service contractor CUSA. “Within the past two days, representatives from CUSA which operates our popular VISTA inter-community bus service informed the Commission that it intends to halt operations on or about June 30, 2012 due to bankruptcy sale of assets. We clearly understand the negative impact which this action may have on our valued VISTA customers, and VCTC staff is working actively to identify a safe and quality solution”, noted Darren Kettle, VCTC Executive Director.

Any possible disruption in CUSA operations would not have an impact on VISTA dial-a-ride services in the Heritage Valley (Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru); nor on any of Ventura County’s other public transit providers: Ojai Trolley, Moorpark City Transit, Gold Coast Transit, Thousand Oaks Transit, Camarillo Area Transit, and Simi Valley Transit. About 1,500 passengers are served daily through VISTA.

VCTC will continue to honor all Go Ventura bus pass cards on the VISTA inter-community bus service through June 30, 2012. Go Ventura bus pass products will continue to be honored on other participating public transit providers throughout Ventura County, including VISTA dial-a-ride services in the Heritage Valley (Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru).

New sale and recharges of passes and epurse for VISTA inter-community bus service (only) has been suspended until further notice. In the event of a service disruption, VCTC intends to offer its customers a refund of Go Ventura bus pass products for July and subsequent months

FAQs for bus service disruption
Why is VISTA suspending service?
CUSA, which operates our popular VISTA inter-community bus service, intends to halt operations on or about June 30 due to bankruptcy sale of assets. We clearly understand the negative impact which this action could have on our valued VISTA customers. VCTC staff is working actively to identify a safe and quality solution.

Can I get a refund on my bus pass?
VCTC will continue to honor all Go Ventura bus pass cards on the VISTA inter-community bus service through June 30, 2012. Go Ventura bus pass products will continue to be honored on other participating public transit providers throughout Ventura County, including VISTA dial-a-ride services in the Heritage Valley (Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru).

New sale and recharges of passes and epurse for VISTA inter-community bus service (only) has been suspended until further notice. In the event of a service disruption, VCTC intends to offer its customers a refund of Go Ventura bus pass products for July and subsequent months. All refunds will be processed at the main VCTC Transit office. Patrons will need to surrender their bus pass card, provide appropriate ID, as well as a valid mailing address. Refunds may take up to 6 weeks to process. Refund related questions should be directed to (800) 438-1112.

Will this affect dial-a-ride services or other Ventura County public transit service providers?
No. VISTA dial-a-ride services in the Heritage Valley (Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru) will continue to operate as normal, as will all other public transit providers: Ojai Trolley, Moorpark City Transit, Gold Coast Transit, Thousand Oaks Transit, Camarillo Area Transit, and Simi Valley Transit.

Metrolink services in Ventura County as well as the Costal Limited, operated by the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District, will not be impacted by the CUSA bankruptcy.

When will service resume?
VCTC is actively exploring all options to ensure continued inter-community bus service. However, negotiating operator contracts can be a long and complicated process. It’s VCTC’s hope that VISTA will resume service by before the end of the summer. Updates regarding this matter will be posted at goventura.org.

How will I get to work?
We understand any interruption in public bus service would be an inconvenience to our valued VISTA customers. Therefore, VCTC is working aggressively to successfully resolve this matter as soon as possible. In the meantime, we encourage you to explore carpool and vanpool options through our Rideshare program at GoVenturaRideShare.org Rideshare registration is free.

Where can I get more information?
VCTC will provide daily updates on goventura.org, on facebook.com/goventura, and via Twitter @goventura.