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Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: OCTA

Ride Metrolink to the Festival of Whales this Saturday, March 1

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FOW_Header2014

Ride Metrolink Free* to the Festival of Whales

The Festival of Whales is coming to Dana Point March 1, 2, 8 and 9. Rain or shine, the event will feature contests, exhibits, whale watching and more. Start the fun with OCTA at the Orange Station this Saturday, Mar. 1 at 9 a.m. The first 50 guests can ride Metrolink to the festival for FREE! Stop by and enjoy:

  • Free round-trip Metrolink tickets (limited quantity)
  • Free food courtesy of Ruby’s Diner
  • Live music performed by Headshine
  • A prize wheel for visitors who bring a food donation** Continue reading→

OCTA applauds implementation of positive train control by Metrolink

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Metrolink Burbank

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 20, 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

OCTA Applauds Implementation of Positive Train Control

Metrolink will be the first commuter rail service in the nation to utilize the collision-avoidance system

ORANGE – Orange County Transportation Authority CEO Darrell Johnson praised today’s announcement by Metrolink that Positive Train Control has started to be implemented on the commuter rail line serving Southern California.

“Positive Train Control is a critically important safety enhancement and OCTA is very pleased to see the collision avoidance system now being rolled out on Metrolink trains,” said Johnson. “As public transit agencies, there is no greater responsibility than ensuring the well-being of the millions of people each year who depend upon us for either their daily commutes or for weekend recreational trips.” Continue reading→

The OCTA’s Measure M is on track according to a new independent review

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Measure M

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 13, 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

Measure M On Track, Independent Review Finds

Half-cent sales tax is driving force behind local transportation improvements

ORANGE – The Measure M Taxpayers Oversight Committee has determined that Measure M is being delivered as promised to Orange County voters for the 23rd consecutive year.

The committee held its annual Measure M public hearing this week and unanimously found that the Orange County Transportation Authority is proceeding in accordance with the ordinances that were approved by voters first in 1990 and renewed in 2006. Continue reading→

Santa Ana resident Blanca Ibarra among OCTA’s Employees of the Year

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Supervisor Nelson congratulating Blanca Ibarra, who was named Employee of the Year

Supervisor Nelson congratulating Blanca Ibarra, who was named Employee of the Year

OCTA Awards Employees of the Year

By Shawn Nelson, Chairman of the OC Board of Supervisors

The Orange County Transportation Authority recently announced the 2013 Employees of the Year: Harry Marshall, Binh Do and Blanca Ibarra.

Tustin resident Harry Marshall was named Coach Operator of the Year for his excellent driving record, customer safety and attention to detail. Marshall works out of OCTA’s Garden Grove bus base and has achieved 35 years of safe driving. Marshall consistently demonstrates OCTA’s performance measurements of safety, courtesy and reliability in his daily duties. In addition, he is a safety captain and a vital member of Operations Teamwork at Garden Grove. He participates in roundtable meetings sharing his experience and coaching his fellow colleagues. Continue reading→

Annual OCTA Measure M public hearing set for Feb. 11

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Measure M

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Feb. 3, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Joel Zlotnik, (714) 560-5713/Eric Carpenter, (714) 560-5697

Annual Measure M Public Hearing Set Feb. 11 for Taxpayers Oversight Committee

Half-cent sales tax is driving force behind local transportation improvements

ORANGE – The Measure M Taxpayers Oversight Committee is conducting its 23rd annual public hearing on Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements.

Measure M, administered by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), was approved by voters in 1990 and renewed by a vote of nearly 70 percent in 2006. Each year, the committee seeks public input on how funds are being spent. Continue reading→

OCTA Chairman Shawn Nelson announces 2014 Transportation Initiatives

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Shawn Nelson, OCTA Chairman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 30, 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

OCTA Chairman Shawn Nelson announces 2014 Transportation Initiatives

Goals focus on delivering transportation solutions for all Orange County residents

ORANGE – Orange County Transportation Authority Chairman Shawn Nelson unveiled his strategic initiatives for the year ahead, placing the focus on delivering freeway projects, advancing active transportation programs and maximizing funding and regional opportunities. Continue reading→

OCTA Customers can save $4 on Tet Festival admission

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OCTA Tet Festival Deal

OCTA Customers save $4 On Tet Festival Admission

By: Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates

Come celebrate the Year of the Horse at the world’s largest Tet Festival outside of Vietnam on February 7, 8 & 9 at the OC Fair & Event Center.

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has partnered with organizers to usher-in the Vietnamese New Year with a great discount to the Tet Festival. OCTA bus riders will receive $4 off the $5 admission price when they show their bus pass. Those who wear traditional Vietnamese attire to the opening ceremony Saturday, Feb. 8 between 10:00 AM and noon will get FREE admission. Continue reading→

Supervisor Nelson selected as the new OCTA Board Chairman

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Shawn Nelson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 13, 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713/Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

Supervisor Shawn Nelson Selected as OCTA Board Chairman

Director Jeffrey Lalloway will serve as vice chairman of the board

ORANGE – Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson was unanimously selected today as the new chairman of the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors.

Nelson, who is also the Fourth District Supervisor, served as the OCTA board’s vice chairman for the last year. He replaces outgoing Chairman Greg Winterbottom, who remains on the board. Continue reading→

Integrated bus safety promotions engage Orange County riders

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Integrated Bus Safety Promotions Engage Orange County Riders

By: Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson

Recognizing the importance of bus safety, OCTA recently launched a series of videos, contests and social media messaging designed to educate both new and experienced riders about this essential topic.

The program encourages riders to “Be A Safety Hero!” by watching four short bus safety videos and taking a quiz. Their responses are entered into a drawing that randomly awards one 30-day bus pass each week through Jan. 31. Continue reading→

OCTA offers free bus rides on New Year’s Eve

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drunk white guy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 23, 2013

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713/Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

OCTA Offers Free Bus Rides on New Year’s Eve

Those celebrating the New Year can count on OCTA as designated driver

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority is helping to make roads safer during New Year’s Eve celebrations by offering free bus rides from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) to 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day).

The public can take advantage of the hassle-free rides on all fixed-route lines during those hours. Passengers planning a bus ride are encouraged to use the online trip planner in advance at octa.net or call (714) 636-7433. Continue reading→

OCTA Board rejects high-occupancy toll lanes for the 405 Freeway

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OCTA Logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 9, 2013

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Ted Nguyen (714) 560-5334/Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

OCTA Board Selects One Lane in Each Direction for I-405

To speed up delivery of freeway improvements, high-occupancy toll lanes no longer under consideration as part of the Measure M project

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority board voted today to construct one general-purpose lane in each direction between Costa Mesa and the county line in Seal Beach as part of the I-405 Improvement Project.

The board’s vote means that high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes will not be a part of the I-405 project, which is being funded through Measure M, the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements. Continue reading→

Assemblyman Mansoor to introduce legislation to stop toll lanes on the 405

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Supervisorial candidate Allan Mansoor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 6, 2013

Contact: Saulo Londono, (714) 227-4009

MEDIA ADVISORY: ASM. MANSOOR PRESS CONFERENCE

Assemblyman Allan Mansoor To Introduce Legislation

Will hold press conference prior to Monday’s OCTA Board Meeting To Stop Toll Lanes On 405 Freeway

Costa Mesa – Assemblyman Allan Mansoor (R-Costa Mesa) announces that he will be holding a press conference on Monday, December 9, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. outside of the OCTA headquarters in Orange, announcing his intention to introduce legislation to stop toll lanes on the 405 freeway. Continue reading→

Industry peers recognize the OCTA for “Best Practices”

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OCTA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 27, 2013

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713/Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

Industry Peers Recognize OCTA For ‘Best Practices’

OCTA CEO Darrell Johnson requested unprecedented peer review in his first 100 days

ORANGE – A first-time review by professional peers in the transportation industry found that the Orange County Transportation Authority has established several industry “best practices” when it comes to the agency’s work in health, safety and environmental compliance.

Each year, OCTA undergoes an audit of its health and safety practices to ensure that the agency complies with all regulations and creates the safest atmosphere for its passengers and employees. When CEO Darrell Johnson assumed leadership of the agency earlier this year, he decided to take that a step further, requesting that for the first time OCTA undergo a peer review led by the American Public Transportation Association as part of his first 100 days plan. Continue reading→

The OCTA will put freeway construction on hold for Thanksgiving

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OCTA Logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 22, 2013

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713/Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

Freeway Construction On Hold For Thanksgiving

No closures anticipated on projects throughout the holiday weekend in Orange County

ORANGE – Drivers traveling Orange County freeways will enjoy easier rides to Thanksgiving feasts as Orange County Transportation Authority construction project closures will be suspended for the holiday weekend.

Closures associated with the West County Connectors, SR-91 widening and SR-57 lane addition projects will be halted by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27 and will not take place through Sunday, Dec. 1. Regular construction schedules and associated closures will resume on Monday, Dec. 2. Continue reading→

OCTA Director “Election”: Good and Bad News

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Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait wins OCTA Board seat Graphic: saveanaheim.com

Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait wins OCTA Board seat
Graphic: saveanaheim.com

From the OC Politics Blog

Thursday last, the OCTA City Selection Committee (comprised of all 34 OC elected and appointed Mayors) was gathered by the UNelected Association of California Cities – Orange County (who’s membership do not include every city in the OC) to rule on the selection of new OCTA Board Directors, one for each Supervisorial District. Continue reading→