Unmet Transit Needs

Re public transportation in Ventura.

I believe there exists strife between some of Ventura’s city officials and South Coast Area Transit (SCAT), the transportation provider. Both Oxnard and Ventura have approved $20,000 expenditures to hire a firm to review SCAT’s operations. Ventura has also approved $20,000 to survey the transportation needs of the east end of the city.

These surveys are a waste of money. SCAT has just completed a survey of the east side of Ventura that cost the city $12,000. The survey recommended adding a route on Telephone Road. The funds should be spent on actual transportation, not more surveys.

The state requires cities and counties to address unmet transportation needs before funds can be used on other projects. Before plans can be made, the people should decide whether transportation should be just for the transit-dependent or also geared to all and providing quality service so there is an alternative to purchasing fuel for passenger cars.

MIKE RIFKIN

Ventura