Vanessa Rauschenberger has been appointed as general manager of the Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD).
Rauschenberger will take over for Steven P. Brown who is retiring from the agency. The GCTD Board of Directors unanimously approved Rauschenberger as the district’s new leader during their meeting on March 2.
Rauschenberger will oversee an organization of 200 employees who operate and maintain a fleet of 87 vehicles on a 15-acre site to provide fixed-route and paratransit public transit services to two million passengers annually across five jurisdictions in western Ventura County, Calif.
"I look forward to building on GCTD’s mission to provide high-quality transportation services as a conscientious steward of public resources. As GCTD continues to strengthen our partnerships with our employees, passengers and board, I have confidence we will be able to complete an exciting number of new initiatives to make transit more attractive and inviting,” said Rauschenberger.
Projects on the horizon include the launch of microtransit for South Oxnard, greater-frequency bus service between Oxnard and Ventura, a bus stop improvement plan and transitioning to a zero-emissions fleet.
The third-generation resident of Oxnard is committed to continuing enhancements of GCTD services in her community.
“Growing up in Oxnard, I’ve seen our county evolve, and I intend to work to make sure that transit services keep up with changing community needs. I am honored and thankful for the opportunity to lead a public agency, whose mission is dedicated to connecting people to opportunity, and improving the quality of life for so many,” Rauschenberger said.
Bryan MacDonald, city of Oxnard mayor pro tem and chair of the GCTD Board of Directors, said, “Vanessa has the experience and skills needed to lead GCTD into a very bright future, and I am confident she will continue to implement the organization’s goals to provide high-quality transit options.”
Rauschenberger has more than 18 years of experience in the transportation industry, including more than 11 years at GCTD. As GCTD’s director of planning and marketing, she led the implementation of several new routes, including the recently launched service along Ventura Road in Oxnard, managed the development of numerous service plans, and oversees all grant applications to local, state and federal agencies.
Rauschenberger also spearheaded GCTD’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan - a plan built around employee and passenger input to identify ways to help GCTD support community-wide recovery. Prior to joining GCTD, she worked for New York City Department of Transportation as an associate planner/project manager for pedestrian projects and safe routes to schools. She has a master’s degree in Urban Planning from CUNY’s Hunter College, and a bachelor’s degree in City and Regional Planning from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
Rauschenberger officially assumed her new role on March 7.
