Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: OCTA

Millions in Measure M2 sales taxes to fund O.C. streets and signals

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Taxes, Transportation Leave a comment

OCTA Logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 11, 2013
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713 ; Laura Scheper (714) 560-5697

Millions Approved For Orange County Streets and Signals Through Measure M2
OCTA board will allocate nearly $50 million for projects throughout the county

ORANGE – Orange County streets will see an influx of $49.6 million after the Orange County Transportation Authority board approved the funding of 24 improvement projects through voter-approved Measure M2.

The following projects were approved by the board this week: Continue reading→

Another damn Streetcar

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, OCTA, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana, Transportation, Vince Sarmiento 32 Comments

tracks

From the OC Politics Blog

Lurking in the back of the OCTA‘s Measure M Wasteful Boondoggles Projects File is another streetcar project in Santa Ana.  It’s not as expensive (for now) as the $319 million debacle that’s been cooked up in Anaheim by the City Council and the Toontown Troika of SOAR, the OC Business Council and Master of the Universe Curt Pringle’s team of lackeys, but it’s just as big a turkey.   The Register reports today (don’t worry about the paywall) that so far it’s coming in at a minor $209 million even though it’s longer and has five times more stops than the Murray/Eastman Express.

From Lou Gonzales’ story, there are some absolutely priceless quotes from a clueless, in-the-dark City Councilman and his colleague, Michele Martinez, a failed Mayoral candidate:

Continue reading→

Ride the Metrolink to the Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano!

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Family, OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

The Swallows’ Day Parade Is Coming

The 55th annual Swallows’ Day Parade and Mercado will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., in downtown San Juan Capistrano. The Swallows’ Day Parade is part of the Fiesta de las Golondrinas—the Festival of the Swallows. The festival is built around the swallows’ legendary return to Mission San Juan Capistrano every St. Joseph’s Day, March 19. The Swallows’ Day Parade is the largest non-motorized parade in the nation, and great fun for the whole family! The parade is a popular event, so be sure to arrive early to avoid street closures that start at 10:00 a.m. The parade will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. Continue reading→

Darrell Johnson begins post as OCTA’s new Chief Executive

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Orange, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

Darrell Johnson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 4, 2013
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Laura Scheper (714) 560-5697

Darrell Johnson Begins Post as OCTA Chief Executive

Johnson replaces long-time transportation veteran Will Kempton who retired Feb. 28

ORANGE – Darrell Johnson began his new post today as the chief executive officer of the Orange County Transportation Authority.

OCTA is the countywide transportation agency with 1,500 employees and an annual budget of $1 billion. Under the direction of a 17-voting member board of directors, Johnson is responsible for planning, financing and coordinating Orange County’s freeway, street and rail development, as well as managing bus services, commuter-rail services and paratransit service for people with disabilities. Continue reading→

Catch the Ducks Express Party Train! Friday, March 1, 2013

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Entertainment, OCTA, Santa Ana, Sports, Transportation Leave a comment

Catch the Ducks Express Party Train! Friday, March 1, 2013

Join us and other Ducks fans on the Ducks Express Party Train! Hop aboard the Party Train Friday, March 1, for lots of fun and prizes.

  • Board Metrolink OC Line 643 anywhere from Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo to Anaheim
  • Ride the train with Wild Wing and the Ducks Street Team and Power Players*
  • We’ll have FREE giveaways on the train
  • Everyone riding the train gets entered to win a Ducks Prize Pack

Ride to the Metrolink Anaheim station. Then show your Metrolink ticket and ride the OCTA bus shuttle FREE to Honda Center for the game. Continue reading→

Ride the Metrolink to the 42nd Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales

Posted on by Posted in Family, OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 22, 2013
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Laura Scheper (714) 560-5697

Ride the Metrolink to the 42nd Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales
Metrolink tickets good for half off whale watching excursions

ORANGE – Residents are invited to celebrate the 42nd annual Dana Point Festival of Whales by riding to the event on Metrolink the weekends of March 2-3 and March 10-11. Continue reading→

Newly appointed OCTA Chairman Winterbottom announces goals for 2013

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation 1 Comment

Greg Winterbottom

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jan. 30, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713 , Laura Scheper (714) 560-5697

Newly Appointed OCTA Chairman Winterbottom Announces Goals for 2013
Initiatives focus on delivering programs that improve the quality of life for Orange County residents

ORANGE – Newly selected Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Chairman Greg Winterbottom unveiled his strategic initiatives for the year ahead, placing the focus on improving transit, rail and bicycle programs and advancing the delivery of Measure M2 projects. Continue reading→

The Metrolink Ducks Express kicks off Jan. 25

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Sports, Transportation Leave a comment

Anaheim Ducks Express

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan 22, 2013
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik, (714) 560-5713, Laura Scheper, (714) 560-5697

Hockey fans can skate past traffic to 17 weekday home games with $7 round-trip tickets 

ORANGE –The Orange County Transportation Authority, Metrolink and the Anaheim Ducks are bringing back the Anaheim Ducks Express with a special weeknight train service to and from Ducks games beginning Friday, Jan. 25. Continue reading→

OCTA Stuff-A-Bus event will collect toys for needy kids on 12/21, in Anaheim

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Charities, Entertainment, OCTA, Orange County, Transportation Leave a comment

OCTA Stuff a Bus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 17, 2012

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713 , Laura Scheper (714) 560-5697

Stuff-A-Bus Hits Honda Center Friday

20th Annual Stuff-A-Bus event hopes to break records and provide more toys than ever to children in need

ORANGE – The North Pole is coming to Orange County and Santa and Mrs. Claus are looking to residents to help fill buses with toys for local children. The annual Stuff-A-Bus event supports the Spark of Love toy drive and is sponsored by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), ABC7, Honda Center and the Anaheim Ducks. Continue reading→

OCTA Board Approves Mega Fare Increase 14-2

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation 1 Comment

OCTA Board Approves Proposed Fare Increases

The OCTA board of directors approve the fare increase that will take effect February 2013

The OCTA board of directors approved a proposed bus fare increase after two months of community outreach and discussion about the measure to help address rising operation costs. The board approved the proposal as a way to ensure the agency’s eligibility for the state funds that primarily support its bus system. Continue reading→

O.C. freeways will be free of construction this Thanksgiving weekend

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Orange, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 21, 2012

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Laura Scheper (714) 560-5697

Freeways Free Of Construction Thanksgiving Weekend

No closures anticipated on projects throughout the county

ORANGE – People headed to Thanksgiving feasts will enjoy a more relaxed commute as construction closures throughout the county will be postponed for the holiday weekend. Continue reading→

Sign up for the OCTA’s Rideshare Week and you might win a free iPad!

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

Rideshare Week, October 1-5, 2012, is the perfect chance to leave your car behind in favor of a greener mode of transportation. Pledge today to share the ride one or more times between October 1 and 5, 2012 for a chance to win prizes like an iPad!

It all starts by Pledging to Share!

If gas prices aren’t enough to get you to consider sharing, perhaps some cool prizes will help! Pledge to share online by selecting the big pledge2share button above and we will enter your name to win a new iPad and other cool gift cards. Continue reading→

Two OCTA bus routes in Santa Ana to detour from 6/13 to 6/14

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation 2 Comments

Santa Ana Detour for OCTA Bus Routes 55 and 462‏

SANTA ANA, CA (June 12, 2012) – Event Detour in Santa Ana: Desvío debido a un evento especial en Santa Ana

Date/Dias: 6/13/12 – 6/14/12
Hours/Hóras: All Hours/Todas las Horas
Routes affected/ Rutas afectadas: 55, 462 Continue reading→

Get there greener – ride the bus with the ENC and the OCTA

Posted on by Posted in Energy, Entertainment, Environment, Nature, Newport Beach, OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

GET THERE, GREENER – RIDE THE BUS WITH THE ENC AND OCTA

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., February 22, 2012 – As the cost of gas steadily rises throughout Orange County, reaching an average of $4.12 per gallon according to www.orangecountygasprices.com as of February 22, the Environmental Nature Center has partnered with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to put together a program focusing on greener alternatives to driving personal vehicles.

On Thursday, March 1 at 6 p.m., the ENC will host its “Getting there, Greener” program, alongside OCTA representatives, in an effort to get people out of their cars and onto a bus, train, bicycle, or into a ridesharing program. Continue reading→