Provide 3 years of operation of youth booster services purchase twenty-one (21) 40 replacement buses

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD) $13.27 million through the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) on July 24, 2025, to support a three-year demonstration project and fleet modernization initiative. The award funds the operation of Youth Booster Services for three years and the purchase of 21 replacement 40-foot transit buses. GCTD will replace aging buses that have exceeded their useful life with zero-emission fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs), transitioning from compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles to support environmental sustainability objectives.

The project is designed to deliver multiple public benefits to Ventura County residents and transit riders through improved service reliability and reduced environmental impact. Expected outcomes include congestion mitigation during peak service hours, emissions reductions from the fleet modernization, and enhanced transit service quality to attract and retain ridership. All community residents and visitors served by GCTD will benefit from improved air quality and reduced traffic congestion, while transit-dependent populations will gain access to more reliable and efficient transportation services. The award has a completion date of December 31, 2028, with no identified subrecipient activities.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to provide 3 years of operation of youth booster services purchase twenty-one (21) 40 replacement buses.

Activities

The funds will be used to operate a three-year demonstration of youth booster services and purchase 21 replacement buses.

Expected outcomes

The operation of youth booster services will reduce congestion during peak hour service hours and reduce emissions. Replacing buses that have already met/exceeded their useful life will allow gctd to continue to provide reliable and efficient transit services. Reliable and efficient service is attractive to existing and potential customers alike. Also emissions reductions will come from the replacement of CNG buses with zero-emission fceb buses.

Intended beneficiaries

Projects included in this grant award will benefit riders who rely on gctd services. Additionally all residents and visitors to the communities gctd serves will benefit from congestion mitigation and emissions reductions provided by the projects.