Oxnard Harbor & Beaches Dial-a-Ride service ends June 30, 2016; alternative transit options available

 

Oxnard Harbor & Beaches Dial-a-Ride service ends June 30, 2016; alternative transit options available

OXNARD, Calif.–The last day of service for the Oxnard Harbor & Beaches Dial-a-Ride will be on Thursday, June 30, 2016. The City of Oxnard is working closely with Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD) to ensure passengers are provided alternative travel options to best fit their needs.

“The City of Oxnard has had the pleasure of providing the Dial-a-Ride service to the community for the past 16 years,” stated Ashley Golden, director for the City’s Development Services Department. “While it is no longer feasible to continue the service due to continued low ridership and budget constraints, we are confide
nt that the public transportation options provided by Gold Coast Transit District will fulfill many of our existing passengers’ travel needs.”

GCTD now operates several fixed bus routes – Routes 5, 19/20 and 21, within the Oxnard Harbor & Beaches Dial-a-Ride service area that did not exist when the Dial-a-Ride was initiated. All of the GCTD routes provide service from approximately 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and operate seven days a week. This closely matches and even exceeds the Dial-a-Ride’s hours of operation. As with the Dial-a-Ride service, these fixed-routes also serve the Oxnard Airport, Oxnard Transit Center and “C” Street Transfer Center.

Additionally, with approximately half of the Oxnard Harbor & Beaches Dial-a-Ride passengers being either seniors or persons with disabilities, many passengers will be eligible to use GCTD’s ACCESS paratransit service. ACCESS is a curb-to-curb, reservations-based public transit service available to persons with disabilities and seniors 65 years and over. While no certification is required for seniors, there is an application for disabled riders.

“Our customer service representatives are ready to help passengers find the best transportation options that fit their schedule and travel needs,” stated Vanessa Rauschenberger, Gold Coast Transit District director of planning and marketing. GCTD’s Customer Service Center is located at the Oxnard Transit Center, 201 E. Fourth St., (805) 487-4222. Representatives are available Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Callers should mention that they are Oxnard Harbor & Beaches Dial-a-Ride customers when contacting a representative.

The Oxnard Harbor & Beaches Dial-a-Ride service began in 2000 as a three-year demonstration project using federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funds. The service continued beyond the demonstration period for another 12 years, funded directly by the City and augmented by state Transportation Development Act funds. The City is canceling the service due to an underperforming farebox recovery ratio of 10 percent and other public transit options available within the service area.

The City of Oxnard is a full-service general law city incorporated in 1903. Oxnard is the largest and most populous city in the County of Ventura, serving 200,000 culturally diverse residents. Read more about the City of Oxnard at www.cityofoxnard.org. Follow us on social media at www.twitter.com/CityofOxnard (@CityofOxnard), www.facebook.com/OxnardNews and www.vimeo.com/CityofOxnard.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2016 #034-16

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Daniels, Development Services Department (805) 385-7871, cynthia.daniels@oxnard.org