Gold Coast Transit outlines zero‑emission plan, ridership gains and funding mix

Gold Coast Transit District General Manager Vanessa Rauschenberger told the Ojai City Council on Sept. 9 that the agency is planning an initial conversion of its fleet to zero‑emission buses and has seen ridership recover above pre‑pandemic levels.

Rauschenberger said Gold Coast’s 2026 operating budget is just over $40 million, about 50% from state funds and roughly 25% from federal sources. “Public transit is not primarily funded by fares,” she said, and added that passenger fares account for less than 10% of the system’s revenue, with youth and other fares reimbursed by state programs.

The district operates 17 routes across Western Ventura County, including Route 16 between Ojai and the Pacific View Mall, and connects to the Ojai Trolley. Rauschenberger said Gold Coast runs 61 buses, 21 vans and employs about 228 people.

Why it matters: the agency’s funding mix and vehicle choices shape service hours, community connections and costs for local partners. Council members asked whether federal funding cuts were likely and whether evening service could be extended to serve later shifts in the retail and restaurant sectors.

Key details: Rauschenberger said Gold Coast received a capital grant in 2023 to start moving toward zero emissions and has chosen a hydrogen fuel‑cell strategy for longer range on its routes. The district plans to purchase five fuel‑cell buses and build a fueling station; Rauschenberger said additional grants will be needed to complete a full fleet conversion. “We selected the hydrogen fuel path as our path,” she said, citing long routes and vehicle weight as factors.

On ridership, the general manager said Gold Coast carried about 3.6 million riders in the most recent year, exceeding pre‑pandemic totals, and was averaging about 19.7 passengers per hour (the district’s stated goal is 20 passengers per hour). Fares are $2 per ride; reduced fares and free programs apply for seniors, people with disabilities, youth and college students.

Council members pressed for details on fare revenue and grant dependence. Rauschenberger said farebox receipts totaled about $2.5 million (including paratransit) and that a portion of state funding reimburses youth ride‑free fares. On the federal surface‑transportation reauthorization she said the district is “cautiously optimistic” funding levels will hold.

Community outreach and next steps: Rauschenberger said Gold Coast participates in community events, maintains short‑range and five‑year service plans, and hopes to identify funding to extend evening service hours where demand exists. She provided contact information for riders and encouraged the council to suggest community events for outreach.

Ending: Council members thanked the district for the update and raised later service hours as a recurring community need; Rauschenberger said staff will continue grant seeking and community coordination to implement their zero‑emission plan and service improvements.