VCTC and County Partner to Expand Bus Service

Residents of the Heritage Valley will soon enjoy expanded bus service thanks to a recently approved funding agreement between the County and the Ventura County Transportation Commission.  Slated to begin Monday, February 3, the new service includes an expansion of VCTC’s popular Hwy 126 route to include five morning trips and three afternoon/evening trips between Fillmore and Piru.  Residents of Piru will now be able to enjoy direct VISTA service to downtown Ventura, without needing to transfer.

“The new Piru service is the first stop in VCTC’s strategy to enhance bus service in the Heritage Valley through strategic partnerships with the County as well as the cities of Fillmore and Santa Paula”, noted Darren Kettle, VCTC Executive Director.  “In Spring 2013 the Commission adopted the Heritage Valley Transit Study which revealed public demand for increased bus service.  The Plan also identified practical steps which the communities within the Heritage Valley could take to improve public transit within and between these communities”.

The new Piru service will include bus stops at Via Fustero and Center as well as Rancho Sespe.  Morning departure times from Rancho Sespe will be 5:20 am, 6:15 am, 6:35 am, 7:05 am, and 8:05 am.

New afternoon arrival times at Via Fustero/Center include 3:50 pm, 5:20 pm, and 6:40 pm.

The County is providing funding for the Piru service extension on a trial or demonstration project basis.  VCTC and the County will jointly evaluate the performance of the service extension in July.