Since 2014, Camarillo’s trolley bus service has been offering visitors and locals alike an alternative method of transit to explore the city of Camarillo and is plethora of shopping, dining, and entertainment, options — sans car.
The service runs Sundays through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday until 9 p.m. (perfect for dinner and drinks or a happy hour with friends!).
The fare price is $0.50 for senior and ADA riders and $1.00 for adult and student riders so it’s a fantastic option for those seeking easy access to several local destinations via one of the most nostalgic forms of transportation. It also air-conditioned during those hot days.
The trolley bus route starts at the Camarillo Metrolink train station, before traveling west on Daily Drive, south down Las Posas Road, and east on Ventura Boulevard to loop back toward the Metrolink station. It stops at multiple shopping centers and destinations to explore along the route, operating on a 30-minute schedule.
Metrolink spoke with Tyler Nestved, who manages the transit programs for the City of Camarillo, about the trolley service and its biggest perks.
“It gives people the opportunity to travel around the city without using a car,” said Nestved. “It’s by far the most popular service we have for transportation services [within the city itself.]”
The trolley travels from the Metrolink station along Daily drive connecting riders to major shopping centers — as well as the Camarillo Premium Outlets with opportunities to get on and off at both the promenade and the main court stops. Riders can also access a variety of drinking and dining options in Camarillo — as well as across any crossroad in historic Old Town.
In fact, throughout the Old Town neighborhood, the driver will pick riders up and drop them off wherever they’d like to go along the route (as long as it’s a safe place to stop).
“We get a lot of positive feedback about how helpful of a service it is, or how nice it is to have the opportunity to explore town so easily,” said Nestved.
Riders from two months to 102 years (and beyond) old are welcome to enjoy the trolley – Nestved mentions he’s noticed it’s particularly helpful for those who might not have their own car to drive.
“During the summer when school is out, I’ve heard of kids oftentimes using the trolley just to get around town independently and explore,” he said. “They take the trolley to the arcades, to the ice cream shops and more – kids can use it to get out and do something during the day on their own.”
Nestved cites his own positive experience using the trolley in town.
“I used to live right on the route, and since it operates until 9 p.m. I would use it to meet my friends for a drink at a local bar — it’s great for dinner, drinks or a happy hour,” he said. “It travels by many of our local ‘wine and dine’ locations.”
No matter where you come from or where you’re going, the Camarillo Trolley is a fantastic method of transportation to pair with Metrolink for a day of adventuring in Ventura County. Learn more about the trolley’s service, routes, and rates on the website, here.
You can read the original article and browse the Metrolink Matters website here.