ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority, in partnership with Caltrans, is studying the possibility of adding bus service to a section of Interstate 5 and State Route 55 through Orange County, and is welcoming public input.

The study is considering two potential freeway bus rapid transit (BRT) routes, one on approximately 30 miles of I-5, between the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo transit station and the Fullerton Park and Ride, and the other on SR-55 between the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center and Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach.

Freeway bus rapid transit is express bus service that travels on the freeway, using carpool lanes, express lanes or even shoulder lanes to more efficiently serve key destinations. Stations would be located along the freeway and would connect to those key destinations with local bus service and shuttles.

In the process, encouraging public transit would help take more people out of single-driver vehicles and help ease freeway traffic congestion.
Orange County residents, and those who use freeways to get to work and visit destinations along the I-5 and SR-55 freeways, are encouraged to take a brief online survey to help give valuable feedback on the BRT plans.

A public webinar for more information on the project is scheduled for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Participants can take the survey, register for the webinar and find more information on the project, including a video overview of the study, at www.octa.net/FreewayBRT.

The survey can also be taken by calling (909) 494-2900 through Nov. 16.

The study builds on the 2018 OC Transit Vision, which established a plan for the next 20 years of transit in Orange County and identified the I-5 and SR-55 corridors as high priorities for transit. The study will identify potential operating lanes, station locations and needed parking, among other necessary infrastructure improvements.

The study is expected to be completed in early 2021.

About OCTA: The Orange County Transportation Authority is the county transportation planning commission, responsible for funding and implementing transit and capital projects for a balanced and sustainable transportation system that reflects the diverse travel needs of the county’s 34 cities and 3.2 million residents. With the mission of keeping Orange County moving, this includes freeways and express lanes, bus and rail transit, rideshare, commuter rail and active transportation.