on the bikeways on the books - Ventura County Transportation

June 2013 - Issue 29
ON THE BIKEWAYS
IN RECOGNITION
VENTURA COUNTY BIKES TO WORK
Ventura County mobilized! Bike to Work Week 2013,
presented by VCTC and the Ventura County Air
Pollution Control District, was held May 13-17 and was met with great success!
VCTC NAMES RIDESHARE
DIAMOND AWARD WINNERS
After doubling the number of “Pit Stop” events from three in 2012 to six this year, attendance
also increased 166 percent. Meanwhile, online participation increased over 51 percent as
people signed up for a chance to win a 16 GB Apple iPad Mini, which ultimately went to Mark
M. of Ventura. Other prizes included $100 and $50 VISA gift cards, which were won by Cathie
H. of Ventura and Lisa S. of Simi Valley, respectively.
Thank you to everyone who helped coordinate and attended the “Pit Stops” in Santa Paula,
Oxnard, Simi Valley, Ventura, and Thousand Oaks, which offered free bike tune-ups courtesy
of Performance Bicycles, Trek Bikes of Ventura, and Westlake Cyclery. Attendees were
also treated to giveaways and free breakfast refreshments as well as the opportunity to win
community-specific prizes generously donated by local businesses!
Most importantly, people were on the bikeways reducing carbon emissions and traffic
congestion while enjoying the beauty of Ventura County. We’re already looking forward to
Bike to Work Week 2014!
Thank you to our community partners!
Ali Baba Café
Barton’s Steak & Seafood
BG’s Café
Cabo Seafood Grill & Cantina
Café Zack
City of Oxnard
City of Santa Paula
City of Simi Valley
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Ventura
The Egg House
Familia Diaz
The Grill on the Alley
The Hat
The Healthy Place
La Terraza
Lupe’s Mexican Restaurant
Mai’s Café & Aloha
Meridians Café & Pizzeria
Newbury Park Bike Shop
Noah’s Bagels
Performance Bicycle
Pete’s Breakfast House
Rabalais’ Bistro
Smokin’ Steve’s BBQ Joint
Sugar Beets Restaurant & Bar
Taqueria Tepatitlan
Tia Babe’s
To The Max Nutrition
Tomas Café & Gallery
Trader Joe’s
Trek Bikes of Ventura
Viva La Pasta
The Water Store
Westlake Cyclery
Zapparelli’s Pizzeria
ON THE BOOKS
FY 2013-2014 BUDGET APPROVED
As part of a public hearing on June 7, the Commission voted to approve the proposed budget
for Fiscal Year 2013-2014. The total budget of over $55.7 million is 2.5 percent more than the
previous fiscal year and is split into two primary sections: the Main and Program Tasks Budgets.
The majority of funding in the budget is allocated for the continuation of on-going VCTC programs,
projects, and activities, including the VISTA bus service. Make sure to visit www.goventura.org
for more information on the FY 2013-2014 budget.
Ventura County Transportation Commission
950 County Square Drive, Suite 207, Ventura, CA 93003 || goventura.org
Contact Information: Donna Cole, Public Information Officer (805) 642-1591, ext.101
photo: WSDOT
The results are in! VCTC Commuter
Services honored its 2013 Rideshare
Diamond Award winners on May 22 at
Maggiano’s restaurant at The Grove.
Adventist Media Center in Simi Valley
took home the award for highest
average vehicle ridership in Ventura
County at 1.47 employees per vehicle,
while Amgen in Thousand Oaks
received honorable mention recognition.
Walmart in Oxnard, Waterway Plastics
in Oxnard, and the City of Ventura were
also recognized for their promotion of
ridesharing and commitment to bettering
Ventura County.
Congratulations to all the winners, and thank
you to all our valued rideshare partners!
The 17-member board of the
VCTC meets on the first Friday
of each month except in August. The
meetings are open to the public and
comments on transportation topics are
welcomed. Meetings are held at:
Camarillo City Hall
601 Carmen Drive
Camarillo, CA
Starting time: 9:00 AM
Dates and times are subject to
change, so check the Current Agenda
(available at goventura.org) for the most
up-to-date information.
ON VIDEO
TEEN COUNCIL UNVEILS LATEST PROJECT
photo: VCTC
One year ago, the VCTC Teen Council released
its Student Rider Guide. The informational
brochure geared toward teens was not only
distributed to schools and facilities across the
county, it earned a national award from the
American Public Transportation Association. At
the June 7 Commission meeting in Camarillo,
the Teen Council unveiled its latest project –
an informational public service announcement
focused on teens’ perception of public transit.
VCTC’s Teen Council, comprised of teens from across Ventura County, meets monthly
throughout the school year to raise awareness of transportation, air quality, and other
community-wide issues. The group created the video to promote bus ridership as an
affordable transportation option that increases teens’ independence, lessens traffic
congestion, and benefits the environment.
The video is available online at www.goventura.org. Make sure to check it out!
Teen Council is a great way to for teens to get involved in the community, bolster college
resumes, and learn about local government and transit. If interested, please contact Donna
Cole at dcole@goventura.org!
ON THE RAILS
METROLINK INTRODUCES
NEW TAP-ENABLED TICKETS
Metrolink tickets have a new look and level
of functionality. Metrolink now offers TAPenabled tickets, which include an embedded
“smart chip” and antenna.
All ticket types will be TAP-enabled and will
be dispensed from Metrolink Ticket Vending
Machines (TVMs) to allow passage through
Metro’s turnstiles leading to Metro rails lines
and stations. The TAP logo will appear in the
upper right corner.
All Metrolink tickets with Los Angeles County
destinations will be TAP-compatible, and all
riders will be required to physically tap their
tickets at the turnstiles and validators when
transferring to a Metro Rail line. Meanwhile,
tapping is not required on buses – simply
show the bus operator your Metrolink ticket.
ON THE MAP
THOUSAND OAKS
TRANSPORTATION CENTER
Have you visited the new-and-improved
Thousand Oaks Transportation Center
(TOTC)? The facility not only provides local
residents access to destinations throughout
Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura
counties, it connects three VISTA routes
(East County, Highway 101, and Conejo
Connection) as well as a number of regional
transportation service providers.
The TOTC, the City’s first certified Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
building, offers a comfortable passenger
waiting area, free Wi-Fi, restrooms, vending
machines, ticketing and pass purchasing,
bicycle storage lockers, an electric vehicle
charging station, and ample secure parking.
It is conveniently located just off the 101
Freeway at 265 S. Rancho Road.
ON VACATION
TIPS FOR A SUMMER WITH VISTA
Summer in Ventura County is loaded with
possibilities, and VISTA can help you take
advantage! Here are a few tips for the
vacation-filled, school-less months ahead:
• Visit some of the great locations along
VISTA routes (Ventura Pier, Camarillo
Outlets, Brimhall Library, Santa Barbara
County beaches, etc.).
• School-aged riders should utilize the
Student Rider Guide, which is available
at schools across the county and has
valuable information on routes to and
from local hotspots from VISTA and
local operators.
• Connect with Metrolink! Many of
the VISTA routes feature stops at local
stations that can help you take longer
daytrips. Plus, Metrolink’s bike cars
can help extend your cycling adventure
across Southern California.
• Load up your GoVentura pass so
you’re always ready for an impromptu bus
ride. Learn more at GoVentura.org. Then,
once you’re onboard, enjoy free Wi-Fi.
• Call us at (800) 438-1112, and we’ll
help you plan your trip.
We hope to see you onboard this summer!
ON YOUR
MIND
Do you have an idea for an article
in a future edition of On the Move?
Email your idea to Donna Cole at
dcole@goventura.org. Be sure to include
your contact information so we can
follow up with you for more details.
Would you like to request a
presentation by VCTC to your
group or organization?
Contact Donna Cole at (805) 642-1591,
ext. 101 today for more information or
to schedule a presentation.
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Commission Meeting
July 12, 2013, 9:00 a.m.,
Camarillo City Hall