VCTC has announced several changes to its Coastal Express route, as the agency continues to modernize the bus service, improve efficiency and better serve riders’ changing travel patterns.

The new route changes went into effect Monday, Nov. 3.

For nearly 25 years, Coastal Express has been transporting passengers to locations in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, including the Ventura County Government Center, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and UC Santa Barbara. The route, which is funded by VCTC and Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), has not changed significantly since 2021, despite changes in travel patterns and major destinations.

In February 2025, nearly 300 people responded to a VCTC survey about changes they would like to see on the Coastal Express route. The survey responses were in addition to requests VCTC had gathered through the annual Unmet Transit Needs process, as well as requests received through calls and emails to VCTC’s Regional Transit Information Center.

A few themes emerged. Riders expressed that the current schedule was overly complicated and route paths and trip times were not meeting demand. Many also asked for more weekend service to various destinations. Through careful planning by VCTC’s transit staff, VCTC has been able to meet many of those requests.

Service improvements:

• Nine new weekday round trips and three limited-stop express trips;
• Weekend service from Camarillo and Oxnard, an addition requested by more than 47 percent of people who took the survey;
• More weekday service to Oxnard, downtown Ventura and downtown Carpinteria;
• Daily service to Santa Barbara Airport.
• Weekend service to UC Santa Barbara and increased daily service.
• Revised route numbers and limited trip variations.

Service reductions and stop changes:

The addition of new stops and changed routes means some current stops will no longer be served and some stops have moved.

• Carpinteria Tech Park and City Hall stops will no longer be served;
• The Esplanade and Collection at Riverpark stops in Oxnard will no longer be served;
• The Coastal Express stop in Oxnard has moved to Spur Drive and Wagon Wheel Road. Coastal Express riders may park for free in any of 50 designated parking spots. (Note: VCTC’s Highway 101 and Cross County routes will still stop at the Esplanade.)

Flag stops

Riders may notice “flag stops” that have replaced former scheduled stops. Buses visit flag stops but will stop only when signaled. Passengers planning to board at a flag stop should arrive early and wave to the driver as the bus approaches. Having few timepoints and flag stops in between is common for transit schedules and helps to speed up the bus.

Questions?

VCTC values feedback from riders and is ready to answer questions about the new Coastal Express schedule. To send a comment or to get more information, email ridercomments@goventura.org or call 800-438-1112 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To learn more about the new Coastal Express schedule, visit https://www.goventura.org/vctc-transit/rider-alert-schedule-change/

Posted Nov. 3, 2025