Community News: Transportation Workshop in Ventura

Moving the Central Coast Forward: Transportation Action Forum
January 31, 2009 at Ventura Community College

VENTURA, Calif. On Jan. 31, 2009 – Central Coast residents will gather to hear from transportation advocates about how to take action to improve public transportation. The Keynote speaker will be Senator Alan Lowenthal, Chair of the California State Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing. Other speakers and workshop participants will include Mark Criollo of the LA Bus Riders Union, Ventura City Manager Rick Cole, Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams, and representatives from local transit agencies. The group will be invited to participate in creating a community strategy to improve public transportation.
The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Ventura Community College Cafeteria, located at 4667 Telegraph Road, in Ventura, and will end at 12 p.m. The day will start at 8:30 a.m. with registration, followed by speakers, workshops and finally a group prioritizing our transit needs.

"It's a perfect time for our communities to strategize about how to achieve enhanced public transportation alternatives for the health of our economy and our families," said Marcos Vargas, Executive Director of CAUSE, one of the partner organizations in ASERT, the Alliance for Sustainable and Equitable Regional Transportation. Other collaborating organizations are VC Cool, PUEBLO, COAST, Coastal Rail Now, Arts for Action, and Local 721 SEIU. George Roberts, a retired manager from a local grocery store, said "I like to get around without a car when I can, so I'm excited to attend and learn more about my options now, and what new ones could come in the future."

The public is welcome; admission is free but reservations are requested by e mail or phone to carmen@coastalalliance.com or to (805) 658-0810, ext 213. Gold Coast bus lines 6A and 10 travel to the college from the Ventura Transfer Center at Pacific View Mall.