OCEANSIDE–The North County Transit District (NCTD) Board of Directors is considering the staff recommendation to Revise Ordinances 1-3.  If approved, electronic cigarettes and alcoholic beverages will be banned from all NCTD facilities and modes of transportation.

In 2013, the North County Transit District Board of Supervisors solicited input from the public in two areas: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and alcohol consumption on the Coaster train. The board received robust public feedback, especially relating to the potential amendment that would prohibit alcohol consumption and open containers of alcoholic beverages, which are currently allowed on board until 9 p.m.

Prior to the board meeting, scheduled for November 21, 2013, the board decided to postpone consideration of the changes in order to allow time to evaluate the impact of an enhanced outreach campaign, “Civility Rules,” and the increased presence of Sheriff Deputies and Code Enforcement in managing behavior issues.

Despite the “Civility Rules” outreach campaignand increased transit enforcement, 2014 provided quantitative evidence to suggest that there is a correlation between misconduct and alcohol consumption onboard the Coaster.

NCTD board members indicated early in November that they would be supportive of a policy change that would ban alcohol consumption on the Coaster and further restrict the use of electronic smoking devices on NCTD property.

Copies of proposed revisions to Ordinances 1-3 will be available for review at the following locations:

  • Service Counter at 810 Mission Avenue between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday
  • Customer Service Center at the Oceanside Transit Center located at 205 S Tremont Street between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays, excluding holidays
  • Online: Ordinance 1, Ordinance 2, and Ordinance 3

Comments about the proposed changes may be submitted through email at ordinances@nctd.org, fax (760) 967-2001 (add “Ordinance Comments” in the subject line), or by mail at NCTD, ATTN: Ordinance Comments, 810 Mission Ave. Oceanside, CA 92054.

Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. on December 17  in order to be reviewed by the board.

The general public is also invited to participate in a informational workshop on December 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at NCTD’s general administrative offices, located at 810 Mission Ave. in Oceanside. Breeze routes 303 and 313 are the most convenient routes to this facility.  NCTD staff will provide a brief presentation of the issues and document remarks from the community.

The board will then host a public hearing on December 18 at 2 p.m. at the same location.

The informational workshop and subsequent public hearing will provide an opportunity for interested persons or agencies to be heard with respect to the effects of the proposed change.

For more information, call (760) 966-6500.