Multimodal Programs

About Us

The SBCAG Multimodal Program division is committed to improving transportation and transit programs in the region by coordinating regional and interregional transit programs as well as promoting and encouraging alternatives to driving alone. These commitments aim to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution and vehicle miles driven while improving the quality of life for employees, visitors, and residents of Santa Barbara County. The division manages Clean Air Express transit service, Freeway Service Patrol, and Call Box Program, advocates for passenger rail service, coordinates CycleMAYnia, and works with employers and employees on vanpool, carpool and other alternative transportation options. The division represents the agency and advises decision-makers on the Pacific Surfliner Rail Corridor Agency (LOSSAN) Board of Directors and Coast Rail Coordinating Council (CRCC).

Moreover, the division is committed to sustainable transportation and is proud to manage the Zero-Emission Regional Transit Facility in Goleta, California.

Multimodal Programs division staff also represent SBCAG as a transportation liaison with Santa Barbara County Emergency Operations Center during disaster events.

Driven by their mission, Multimodal Programs division provides seamless, efficient, and sustainable transit solutions to the communities SBCAG serves. They strive to continuously adapt to the evolving transportation landscape for the benefit of all travelers countywide.

Programs

Freeway Service Patrol

The Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) program is a free service provided by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Caltrans. FSP is composed of a fleet of tow and service trucks that patrol designated routes of Highway 101 on the south coast corridor. The service is provided Monday through Friday during peak commute hours.

Freeway Service Patrol

Call Box Program

SBCAG serves as the Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies (SAFE) for Santa Barbara County and is responsible for the installation, operation, and administration of 47 highway call boxes. These Call Boxes have instant access to a 24-7 call center that can assist with common roadside emergencies, such as calling a tow truck, the California Highway Patrol, or a family member or friend for assistance.

Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies

Carpool

SBCAG maintains a database of commuters interested in carpooling and offers a free online matchlist service that provides an instant list of commuters with a similar commute and schedule. For those without computer access, a commute consultant is also available to help create a personalized match list by calling the commuter services hotline at 805-963-SAVE.

Carpool

Tele commute for better air and less traffic

Telecommuting

Teleworking has become more common for employers in Santa Barbara County, but the lessons learned during the pandemic call play an important role in the success for both managers and telecommuters.

Telecommuting

Vanpool

SBCAG offers vanpool subsidies for newly formed vanpools and maintains a list of Santa Barbara County destined vanpools available to commuters.

Vanpool

CycleMAYnia

Since 2010 our Bike Month on the South Coast in the month of May has been filled with activities organized by local businesses, organizations, and community members with coordination and support from SBCAG.

CycleMAYnia

Coastal Express

The Coastal Express intercounty transit service is funded by SBCAG and the Ventura County Transportation Commission and operates between Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The Coastal Express operates seven days a week in both directions, with an emphasis on commute-hour service from Ventura County to employment locations in Santa Barbara and Goleta.

Coastal Express

Clean Air Express

The Clean Air Express is a weekday commuter bus service offering transportation from Santa Maria, Lompoc, and Buellton to Goleta and Santa Barbara. Managed by SBCAG, the Clean Air Express carries over 179,000 passengers annually and in Fiscal year 2018/19 and eliminated 9.2 million vehicle miles traveled, helping improve regional air quality and reduce traffic congestion.

Clean Air Express

Services

Protected: Employers

Freeway Service Patrol

Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies

Traveler Services

Resources

Coast Rail Coordinating Council (CRCC)

Pacific Surfliner Rail Corridor Agency (LOSSAN)

Department Staff

Aaron Bonfilio Director of Multimodal Programs
Whitney Rush Transportation Planner
Erik Noriega Transportation Program Coordinator
Peter Williamson Transportation Marketing Coordinator

Director of Multimodal Programs

O: (805) 961-8920
EMAIL: abonfilio@sbcag.org

Aaron joined SBCAG in 2022 and is responsible for overseeing operations and planning of rail and transit programs. Aaron leads a team to develop and implement passenger rail services for Santa Barbara County (such as between Ventura and Santa Barbara counties); provides representation on statewide rail agencies and committees; conducts state and federal compliance activities, and plans for the Clean Air Express regional bus service as well as South Coast interregional bus services, including the Ventura County Transportation Commission Coastal Express. Additionally he oversees regional coordination and planning between the various transit operators countywide. He is responsible for the development of SBCAG South Coast Regional Transit Facility in Goleta which provides centralized, zero-emission, vehicle charging and operations for regional commuter bus services and vehicle charging for ADA paratransit services. Aaron is the designated agency lead during County Emergency Operations Center activation as the public transportation operations coordinator and liaison to local, regional and municipal transit operators in Santa Barbara County.

Transportation Planner

O: (805) 961-8910
EMAIL: wrush@sbcag.org

Whitney joined SBCAG in 2018 and is responsible for a variety of the Rail and Transit divisions activities, including Clean Air Express planning, day to day oversight of its contracted service providers and customer engagement; implementation of intelligent transportation systems and technologies (such as contactless “Tap to Ride” fare program); grant compliance and reporting to local, state and federal agencies; regional rail service planning and coordination of local passenger engagement activities; Agency and partner coordination and works closely with Traffic Solutions for marketing and promotion of rail and transit programs.

Transportation Program Coordinator

O: (805) 961-8919
EMAIL: enoriega@sbcag.org

Transportation Marketing Coordinator

O: (805) 961-8918
EMAIL: pwilliamson@sbcag.org

Peter joined SBCAG in 2022 and is responsible for a variety of programs and services. He provides consulting services to employers about their employee benefit programs, maintains the SmartRide website with its ridematching, trip planner, and commute calendar features. Additionally, he coordinates the CycleMAYnia mini-grant program and publishes a monthly newsletter. Peter also composes video blogs to market regional and local transit services, vanpool programs, and the EZ Bike Project. Furthermore, he plays an important role in coordinating community outreach activities on behalf of the division throughout the county.