Additions to Lompoc’s public transportation system mean slight fare increases, which went into effect on Sept. 2.
The new services are part of the city’s effort to address the evolving mobility needs of the community, City Transit and Airport Administrator Richard Fernbaugh said in an email interview with the Sun.
The City of Lompoc Transit (COLT) introduced RIDE, an on-demand transportation service to provide flexibility outside of standard hours. RIDE operates within the city, Mission Hills, and Vandenberg Village, according to the city’s website.
When using RIDE, customers won’t need to travel to a bus stop at a specific time to catch a ride but instead will be picked up at intersections close to their trip’s start and end points. The service also offers curb-to-curb pickups for riders with disabilities.
“By expanding COLT’s local bus service and introducing a new on-demand service, the city is offering a local transit service that is both easier to use as well as designed to address the mobility needs of a greater number of Lompoc Valley residents,” Fernbaugh said.
Customers can request the service by calling (805) 736-7666 or by using the Ride Pingo app, which is available for download on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
After booking a ride, users can track the vehicle’s location on Ride Pingo and receive live updates including an estimated pickup time.
RIDE costs $2 per trip within city limits and $4 to and from Mission Hills or Vandenberg Village. The service operates Monday to Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last rides are accepted an hour before the service ends.
Another change is the addition of the H Street Shuttle. The shuttle times connect to the four existing routes throughout the city and Vandenberg Village. It operates Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. along H Street between Mission Plaza and the transit hub.
New transit fares also took effect on Sept. 2 to support the city’s service upgrades. A single ride on one of the fixed routes costs $1.50—a 25-cent increase—or 75 cents for seniors, people with disabilities, and people with Medicare. Monthly passes increased by $10, according to the city.
For more information on transit routes and prices, call (805) 736-7666 or visit the city’s website.
This article appears in Sep 4 – Sep 14, 2025.