A new bus route is making it easier for Heritage Valley residents to travel between Fillmore and Moorpark and connect to other public transit.

The Fillmore-Moorpark Route provides a direct, one-seat ride between the two cities using the Highway 23/Grimes Canyon corridor. Valley Express Bus & Dial-A-Ride and the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) are providing the service.

The fixed-route service begins at the Fillmore Terminal, 533 Central Ave. in Fillmore, then proceeds to Moorpark. It makes stops at the Moorpark Metrolink station, the Moorpark Marketplace and Moorpark College. The route connects to eight existing bus routes, including those provided by Valley Express, VCTC, City of Simi Valley Transit, and Moorpark City Transit. The new route also connects riders to Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train service.

The route operates seven days a week, offering 10 trips on weekdays and five trips on weekends. Fare information, a schedule and map are available at valleyexpressbus.org/routes/Moorpark.

VCTC held a ribbon-cutting to kick off the new service Aug. 5 in Fillmore. Speakers included VCTC Chair and Ventura County Supervisor Matt LaVere, VCTC Commissioner and Ventura County Board of Supervisors Chair Kelly Long, Fillmore City Council member Mark Austin, Moorpark Mayor Chris Enegren, and Santa Paula City Council member Andy Sobel.

VCTC Executive Director Martin Erickson said community members have often requested a bus route connecting Fillmore and Moorpark.

“Feedback from riders is an important part of our transit planning process, and we are pleased to be able to offer a new service that directly meets the needs of the community,” Erickson said.

About Valley Express Bus & Dial-A-Ride and VCTC

Valley Express operates fixed route, ADA-paratransit, and general public dial-a-ride throughout the Heritage Valley. The service is provided by a cooperative agreement between the cities of Fillmore, Santa Paula, the County of Ventura, and the Ventura County Transportation Commission. It is managed and administered by VCTC. Program information is available at valleyexpressbus.org.

The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available at goventura.org.