The OCTA seeks public input to improve bus service

Just about every area of our lives, our communities, and our government has changed in light of the pandemic that is now reaching its one-year mark. Public transit is no different.

During the past 12 months, the Orange County Public Transportation (OCTA) has seen ridership on OC Bus sink from nearly 125,000 daily bus boardings to as low as 30,000. Ridership has now leveled off to be consistently about half of what it was prior to the pandemic.

And while bus service has been reduced by about 30 percent during that same time period, OCTA employees have never stopped working to safely provide what we know is an essential public service – a lifeline – for so many members of our communities.

“We have reached an important point in our work at OCTA and we need the public’s help in shaping the future of Orange County bus service,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and Chairman of OCTA.

There are multiple ways for the public to share their comments and ideas leading up to OCTA’s public hearing on Monday, April 26. Below are some ways the public can participate:

• Survey Fill out an online survey by March 26 and be entered for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card: www.ocbus.com/2021feedback.
• Public Meeting – Join a public meeting held via Zoom in multiple languages:
  • In English:
  • 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 9 (Meeting ID: 989 4355 7315)
  • In Vietnamese:
  • 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 10 (Meeting ID: 969 1321 5973)
  • In Spanish:
  • 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 10 (Meeting ID: 962 6419 0361)
  • Participation in any of the meetings is also available by phone by calling: (669) 900-6833
• Comments – Comments can also be submitted at any time by Friday, March 26, via these hotline numbers in multiple languages:
  • English: (714) 560-5007
  • Spanish: (714) 560-5002
  • Vietnamese: (714) 560-5003
• OC Bus – Information will also be distributed on board OC Bus.
• Public Hearing
  • A public hearing on the June service change will be held during the OCTA Board Meeting at 9 a.m. on April 26.
  • Public comments are welcome and must be submitted in writing by 5 p.m. April 25 by emailing the OCTA Clerk of the Board at BoardOfDirectors@octa.net.

“I look forward to hearing what our residents have to say,” said Chairman Do. “Thank you to all participants for helping to keep Orange County moving safely with a transit system that best fits the needs of those who need it most.”

Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Andrew Do represents the First District communities of Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Westminster, Fountain Valley, and Midway City. One of the first officials in the state to propose a face covering mandate, Supervisor Andrew Do is advocating for science-based COVID-19 policies. Chairman Do has been a leader in combating homelessness, reforming Orange County’s mental health services, and expanding access to health care.