OCEANSIDE — The North County Transit District (NCTD) Board of Directors is considering the staff recommendation to Revise Ordinances 1 through 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.
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 campaign and 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 of 2014 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:
— Service Counter at 810 Mission Ave., Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
— Customer Service Center at the Oceanside Transit Center, 205 S Tremont St. between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays, excluding holidays.
— Online at HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]” [email protected]: Ordinance 1, Ordinance 2, and Ordinance 3
Comments about the proposed changes may be submitted via e-mail to HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]” [email protected], by Fax to (760) 967-2001 (Add “Ordinance Comments” in the subject line) or in writing to NCTD, ATTN: Ordinance Comments, 810 Mission Ave. Oceanside, CA.
Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. Dec. 17, 2014 in order to be reviewed by the board.
The general public is also invited to participate in a informational workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4 at NCTD’s general administrative offices, 810 Mission Ave., Oceanside. NCTD staff will provide a brief presentation of the issues and document remarks from the community. The board will then host a Public Hearing at 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at the same location.
