Oxnard, Calif.-based Gold Coast Transit (GCT) donated 14 surplus used sedans and paratransit vehicles to non-profit and social service agencies in western Ventura County.

In the past, retired vehicles were auctioned or transferred to other California transit agencies that were short on fleet, however, in light of the poor economy and the growing needs of many non-profit agencies, GCT developed a new demonstration program to keep the vehicles in Ventura County where they can help local agencies expand services to their clients in addition to its ACCESS paratransit service.

Upon the adoption of the donation program by the GCT Board of Directors, staff developed an application process with guidelines to identify non-profit recipients that could make the best use of the used sedans, vans and minibuses. When word of the availability of the vehicles was circulated, several non-profit agencies came to view them.

The donated vehicles are fueled with compressed natural gas, providing the recipients an extra benefit of being environmentally friendly. All the agencies receiving vehicles are responsible for fueling, maintaining and insuring the vehicles, and each will track how the vehicles are used.

GCT hopes that this program will help slow the growth in demand for ACCESS paratransit services, while providing greater scheduling flexibility and services for the non-profit recipients and their clients.