Courtesy photos.
OXNARD — Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD) has donated a paratransit vehicle to a City of Ventura homeless shelter, operated by Mercy House, to facilitate mobility options for its residents.
GCTD staff first connected with the City of Ventura in early February, 2019. The District retired a few cutaway-style vehicles that had reached the end of their fleet service life, but held on to a few vehicles to refurbish while the City worked through a few details. The donated vehicle features a mobility lift that serves riders with mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, scooters and walkers. It is also environmentally friendly, as it is powered by compressed natural gas (CNG).
On Thursday, December 19, James Brook, the Orange County Programs Director of Emergency Services for Mercy House picked up the vehicle. He was joined by City of Ventura Councilmember and GCTD Board Chair, Cheryl Heitmann, Ventura City Manager Alex McIntyre, and Deputy City Manager Barry Fisher. GCTD General Manager and other District staff were on hand for the exchange.
“As a community partner, we look for opportunities to support other social service programs benefitting the most vulnerable populations, many of which are also our customers. We are thrilled we were able to work with the City of Ventura and Mercy House staff to make this a reality.”, said Steve Brown, GCTD General Manager.
The year-round shelter, operated by Mercy House under contract to the City of Ventura, is expected to open in January. For more information, you can visit the shelter’s webpage.
About the District: Gold Coast Transit District provides safe, responsive, convenient, efficient, and environmentally responsible fixed-route bus and paratransit public transportation that serves the diverse needs of the cities of Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Ventura, and in the unincorporated County areas between the cities. Utilizing a fleet of 61 clean natural gas-fueled buses, and 26 paratransit buses and vans, GCTD carries nearly 4 million passengers annually on its 20 bus routes. GCTD is the largest provider of public transit in Ventura County and is governed by a Board of Directors made up of an elected official from each member jurisdiction. For more information or to plan your trip, visit www.GoldCoastTransit.org