RIDER ALERT

February 9, 2026 Schedule Changes

A schedule change to improve on time performance will go into effect Monday, February 9, 2026. See below for a summary of the new changes and to download the new schedules.

Coastal Express Schedule (PDF)

What is changing on the Coastal Express on February 9?

Based on feedback received through calls, emails, and our recent survey, we’ve made several schedule adjustments designed to better meet the needs of our passengers.

Key updates include:

  • Added a downtown Ventura stop on all 80X express trips.
  • Removed the Ventura Transit Center from Route 85. The Santa Clara & Oak and Main & Peking stops will remain in service.
  • Converted some flag stops to timepoints to improve the accuracy of predicted arrival times.
  • Adjusted schedules to improve on‑time performance.
  • Updated trip times in both directions to more closely align with previous routes. While your route number may have changed in November 2025, arrival and departure times should now more closely resemble our 2024 schedule.
  • Moved the last southbound Route 80 trip from 7:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to better accommodate passengers departing from Cottage Hospital.

The updated schedule will take effect Monday, February 9. You can download a PDF of the new schedule above.

If you have additional requests or concerns, the next opportunity for schedule adjustments will be May 2026. When submitting schedule requests, please include the following information:

  1. The stop where you board,
  2. The stop where you exit, and
  3. The approximate time you’re requesting.

We value your input and remain committed to providing the best possible passenger experience.

 

How Flag Stops Work
  • More weekday service to/from the Camarillo Metrolink.
  • Added weekend service.
  • The Esplanade and Collection stops will no longer be served by the Coastal Express.
    Hwy 101 and Cross County routes will still serve the Esplanade stop.
  • The Oxnard stop will be moved to Spur Dr. & Wagon Wheel with 50 dedicated transit parking spots.


  • More weekday service to/from Oxnard.
  • Added weekend service.
Oxnard service map
Coastal Express bus stop
  • Increased service to the Ventura Transit Center and Downtown Ventura.
  • Carpinteria Tech Park and City Hall stops will no longer be served.
  • Service to Downtown Carpinteria will increase throughout the day.

Carpinteria changes

  • Increased service to Cottage Hospital and the Braille Institute (De La Vina & Mission).
  • Daily service to the Santa Barbara Airport added.

Santa Barbara changes (placeholder)

  • GOLETA/HOLLISTER: A few stops in the Hollister corridor have been moved or eliminated and three new stops have been added.
NORTHBOUND — BLUE ICONS SOUTHBOUND — GREEN ICONS
1. Hollister & La Patera (NEW) 7. Hollister & Palo Alto (NEW)
2. Hollister & Aero Camino 6. Hollister & Entrance (NEW)
3. Los Carneros Rd & Karl Storz 5. Cortona at Castillian
4. Castillian & Los Carneros 4. Castillian & Los Carneros
5. Castillian & Cortona 3. Los Carneros Rd & Karl Storz
6. Hollister & Entrance (NEW) 2. Hollister & Aero Camino
7. Hollister & Palo Alto (NEW) 1. Hollister & La Patera (NEW)

Removed Stops:

  • Hollister & Cremona Dr. — Northbound
  • Hollister & Los Carneros Rd. — Southbound
  • Hollister & Coromar Dr. — Southbound

 

  • Increased service to/from campus daily and added weekend service

How do flag stops work?

Q. What is the difference between a “timepoint” and “FLAG” stop?

The letters on the map represent major stops (also known as “timepoints”), which correspond to locations on the timetable. Most timepoints are located at a main intersection or popular destination and are meant as reference points to help riders judge what time a bus will be at a particular location. The bus will not depart a timepoint before the listed time.

Stops in between timepoints are called “FLAG” stops. The bus will pass by all FLAG stops daily but will stop only if someone onboard requests the stop or if someone waiting at the stop signals that they would like to board. To estimate the time a bus will arrive at a FLAG stop follow these steps:

  1. Find your location on the map,
  2. Find the nearest timepoint,
  3. If the closest time point is before your stop, the bus will arrive at your stop shortly after the noted time. If it is after your stop, the bus will arrive slightly before that time.
    1. For instance, if you want to board Route 85 in the southbound direction at the Los Carneros & Karl Storz FLAG stop located between Hollister & Palo Alto (stop Q) and Hollister & Kellogg (stop O), see the red circle below. You can expect the bus to arrive some time between 4:00 PM and 4:18 PM. The bus will not pass the FLAG stop before 4:00 PM.
  4. You can download the GoVCBus app to track your bus and see when it is due at your stop.
Coastal Express route time table with FLAG stop circled