Member Profile

Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC)

Agency Type:

  • County Transportation Commission

Responsibilities:

  • Operates Transit
  • Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies
  • Airport Land Use Plan

Overview:

State law created the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) to oversee funding and coordination of all public transportation services within Ventura County.  (See generally, Division 12 of the Public Utilities Code entitled “County Transportation Commissions” beginning at Section 130000, 130050.1).

VCTC recommends projects that will be federally funded under the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Community Strategies (RTP/SCS).  The RTP/SCS identifies strategies to meet mobility of all modes, legislative, financial, and air quality requirements in the six county area the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG).  VCTC identifies long range transportation improvement projects beyond those already programmed in the six-year federal funding plan.  VCTC coordinates the input provided to SCAG with local agencies in order to ensure consistency with city and county transportation plans and projects.

Additionally, VCTC also serves its communities in the following ways:

  • VCTC programs projects for State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funds, including special funds created by the state for programs like bicycle and pedestrian facilities and specialized transit for seniors and persons with disabilities.
  • Local project selection:  In some cases, local agencies and non-profits are eligible to apply for funds on a competitive basis.  VCTC develops evaluation criteria based on federal or state guidance and selects or recommends the most competitive projects based on this criteria.
  • Local Transportation Fund (Transportation Development Funds):  VCTC distributes funds to public transit operators (including the Commission for its share of Metrolink operations costs) for planning, program administration, bicycle and pedestrian facilities projects, public bus transit, and rail transit.
  • Congestion Management Program:  The CMP looks at the links between land use, transportation and air quality.  Working with SCAG, VCTC prepares and updates the CMP to meet federal and state standards.

VCTC also participates in Mobility 21, a regional Southern California transportation advocacy group.

Primary Funding Sources:

Federal and state transportation funding

Total Members:

Ten: the county and nine cities

Population Represented:

856,508

Staff:

23

Program Highlights:

  • Commuter Services Program–VCTC encourages residents and commuters to walk, bike, take transit, and carpool to work to ease congestion and meet increasing conservation requirements.  Its Commuter Services Program is a one-stop shop for rideshare information.  VCTC publishes On the Go, a monthly newsletter available in English and Spanish, that gives commuters transportation information and news.  When commuters register for the Commuter Services Program, they are automatically enrolled in VCTC’s RideGuide, which is tailored to the individual and provides a list of potential carpools, transit updates and information, and park & ride locations that are customized to individual home and work locations and schedules.
  • Mileage Reimbursement Program–Ventura County residents 65 years and older are eligible for the Mileage Reimbursement Program.  This program allows seniors to reimburse their friends, neighbors, or family members for giving them a ride.  The program offers $0.35/mile up to 100 miles within Ventura County for all-purpose trips and up to 300 miles out of county for medical trips only.  VCTC provides flyers and applications on their website in both English and Spanish and hold workshops around the county on how to participate in the program.
  • Countywide Bicycle Wayfinding–Another innovative program is the bicycle wayfinding web site that offers cyclists a way to share information and identify the safest travel routes (or potential hazards) to make cycling easier.

Board Makeup:

The governing structure of the Ventura County Transportation Commission is defined by Section 130054.1 of the Public Utilities Code.  The board includes all five members of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, one mayor or council member from each of the nine incorporated cities within Ventura County, one citizen member appointed by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors (who cannot be an elected official, but must be a resident of Ventura County), one citizen member appointed by the Ventura County City Selection Committee (who cannot be an elected official, but must be a resident of Ventura County), and one nonvoting member appointed by the Governor (who cannot serve more than two four year terms under Section 130054.8).

Executive Director:

Martin Erickson

CALCOG Board Representative:

Mike Johnson, Council Member, City of Ventura

Web Link:

http://www.goventura.org/


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