The VCTC oversees highway, bus, aviation, rail and bicycle activity and controls the use of government funds for transportation projects.

The commission was created by state legislation in 1988[1] and began operation in 1989, when it assumed the transportation responsibilities of the Ventura County Association of Governments.

[2] The VCTC is one of five member agencies which make up the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink).

[8] In 2015, the commission oversaw the creation of the Heritage Valley Transit Service and the beginning of four fixed-route bus lines in Fillmore, Santa Paula and Piru using 16-seat buses.

The Valley Express was established under a cooperative agreement between the cities of Fillmore Santa Paula, the county of Ventura (Piru and unincorporated areas) and the commission.