Bus riders in Ventura County are now able to use a single, touch-free system to pay for fares on any of the county’s regional buses, making it easier to use public transit to travel to work and appointments, to run essential errands and to simply get around.
The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) has launched VCbuspass, a contactless fare collection system that allows passengers to pay for fares on any of eight Ventura County regional bus systems.
With VCbuspass, riders can buy bus passes online and use them directly from their mobile devices or use a reloadable smartcard when boarding buses. In addition to purchasing passes online, riders may visit one of the many transit pass ticket counters located across the county and load products onto their cards or mobile phone accounts using cash. Beginning this November, riders can go into any CVS drugstore to load value onto their account, with more stores to follow.
In December 2020, VCTC awarded a contract to Cubic Transportation Systems Inc. for the new regional countywide system. The VCbuspass system is powered by Cubic’s Umo Mobility app. The Umo Mobility app is available for both Android and Apple devices.
To begin using the system and to purchase a pass, passengers can download the Umo Mobility app, go to goventura.org/vcbuspass or visit a transit pass ticket location. An account is not required to use the system; however, riders are encouraged to register to receive alerts and take advantage of other customer features. Riders who choose not to use VCbuspass can still use cash to pay fares when boarding.
The VCbuspass system is installed on over 160 vehicles across eight transit operator fleets, including Camarillo Area Transit, Gold Coast Transit District, Moorpark City Transit, Ojai Trolley, Simi Valley Transit, Thousand Oaks Transit, Valley Express Bus, and VCTC Intercity transit service. Passengers may buy 31-day passes or add “stored value” that lets riders pay as they go.
“The VCbuspass system gives transit riders all across the county, from Ventura to Simi Valley, greater convenience to buy passes online, and improved safety with faster, contactless boarding at the farebox,” said VCTC Commissioner and Oxnard Mayor Pro Tem Bryan MacDonald.
More information about VCbuspass, including Frequently Asked Questions and sales locations, can be found on the VCTC website at goventura.org/vcbuspass.
VCTC invites public to meetings on unmet transit needs
The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) invites the public to attend an online Unmet Transit Needs community meeting or public hearing to let local government leaders hear ideas about how to improve bus service in Ventura County. The meetings are an opportunity for community members to tell VCTC what can be done to improve transit and to help local residents get where they need to go. Those unable to attend can share input at www.goventura.org/unmet-transit-needs.
“Each year, the annual Unmet Transit Needs process provides an opportunity for residents to share input to improve public transit in Ventura County,” said Martin Erickson, VCTC transit director. “This year, as we continue to grapple with the challenges of the coronavirus, your input can help local transit operators to offer the most essential transit service to passengers.”
The community meetings and public hearing are scheduled to be held on the following dates and times:
Virtual Community Meetings (links available at www.goventura.org/unmet-transit-needs):
Wednesday, Jan. 12 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 25 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 3 from Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Public Hearing
Friday, Feb. 4 at 9 a.m.
Camarillo City Council Chambers, 601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010
The purpose of the meetings is to identify transit needs that are not currently being met and are reasonable to meet in Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Santa Paula, Thousand Oaks and adjacent areas of unincorporated Ventura County.
The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available at goventura.org.
