Thousand Oaks is rolling toward changes in its transit system, a reflection of the recession.

The city doesn’t have the ingredients that feed and nurture a mass transit system, according to Public Works Director Mark Watkins. Factors that drive people to public transportation include expensive fees for parking, a dense population, a distinct downtown business area and traffic gridlock.

The City Council earlier this month called on the public works department to respond to suggestions that council members have made.

Options include changes in bus routes and schedules; creation of a entirely new service route; revised, possibly more services on weekdays; a feasibility study on weekend services; advertising on buses and at pickup sites; and a public hearing on fares.

The city will also consider action on the minimum age and other factors regarding senior Dial-A-Ride, services to passengers with disabilities, hours of operation for both of the previous services, establishing a policy when riders are no-shows for individually ordered transportation and what to do about services to unincorporated areas within city limits.

Councilmember Andy Fox said his parents use Dial-A-Ride. Some of the drivers, Fox said, could use sensitivity training in dealing with the special needs of senior citizens.

Bus fares haven’t changed for a long time, said Councilmember Jacqui Irwin, so raising fees isn’t unreasonable.

Mayor Dennis Gillette had reservations about adding routes to unincorporated areas, even if Ventura County promises reimbursements. The city and county had previous disputes about the costs of services in unincorporated areas, Gillette said, including crossing guards and Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officers.

Transit funding, Watkins said, is down 40 percent in the last two years because of declining gasoline tax revenue and the state budget crisis. Although Dial-A-Ride and requests for transportation from disabled residents are up, the total number of riders that use T.O. Transit is down.

Other mass transit providers in Ventura County are also considering transportation rate hikes and reductions in service, Watkins said.

The city of Thousand Oaks has provided public transit services to residents since 1973. Dial-A-Ride was added in 1988.