OXNARD — Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD) will be offering free bus rides on all fixed routes on Friday, November 23 in support of local businesses and in appreciation of its customers. This will be an opportunity for more people to accomplish their holiday shopping and avoid the hassle of parking and traffic.
The Free Fare Black Friday Promotion will open access to more passengers and attract and engage new riders who might not otherwise choose public transit as a means of mobility. The agency hopes that the promotion will also result in long term ridership increases.
“We hope that it encourages more community members to utilize the excellent service we provide and cut down on personal car trips and reduce traffic this holiday season”, said GCTD General Manager, Steven P. Brown.
Riding public transit has numerous public health, economic and environmental benefits. For example, people who use transit on a regular basis save an average of $9,000 per year and produce 80% less emissions that those who regularly drive. Additionally, according to the American Public Transit Association, every $1 that GCTD invests in providing transit service returns $4 to the local Ventura County economy.
Not only will this project facilitate travel to shopping destinations this Black Friday, passengers will also experience faster boardings and therefore a quicker ride to where they’re travelling. Currently, it takes approximately 22 seconds to pay and find a seat on the bus as opposed to the 3-4 seconds it will take to bypass the farebox and find a seat.
Passengers boarding GCTD buses on Black Friday will see a sign on the farebox informing them that no fare is required. Funding for the Free Fare Black Friday Special was made possible by California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment.
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 56 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