Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Transportation

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→

OCTA’s 2012 Employees of the Year include Farrell, Vailea and O’Connor

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

OCTA Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 15, 2012
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713 , Laura Scheper (714) 560-5697

OCTA Awards Employees of the Year

Three individuals receive honors for their hard work and dedication throughout 2012

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority recognized the employees of the year for coach operator, maintenance and administrative departments. The 2012 Employee of the Year event was held on Jan. 30 at the Green Parrot Villa in Santa Ana. Each of the 36 employees of the month was honored for their exceptional performance and dedication to furthering OCTA’s mission. Continue reading→

Award-winning children’s books illustrations on display at John Wayne airport

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 7, 2013

Contact: Jenny Wedge, Office: (949) 252-5182, jwedge@ocair.com

AWARD-WINNING CHILDREN’S BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS ON DISPLAY AT JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A collection of over 140 original illustrations by more than 40 published and award winning illustrators of children’s books are on display at John Wayne Airport now through June 17, 2013. Among the more well-known and award-winning illustrators are Mary GrandPre, Harry Potter books; Robin Preiss Glasser, Fancy Nancy series; Gennady Spirin, member of the Gold Medal Society of Illustrators; along with E.B. Lewis and David Diaz, both Caldecott Winners. The collection is being exhibited in the Vi Smith Concourse Gallery of Terminal A across from Gates 2 through 5, in Terminal C across from Gates 18 through 21 and in the free standing display cases across from Gate 14. The exhibition is available for viewing by ticketed passengers. Continue reading→

OCTA bus fare increases set to start on Sunday, Feb. 10

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

OCTA Bus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 5, 2013
FOR MORE INFORMATION:Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Laura Scheper (714) 560-5697

OCTA Fare Changes Go Into Effect Sunday, Feb. 10
Increase is necessary to address rising costs and ensure ongoing state funding

ORANGE – A fare increase approved last year by the Orange County Transportation Authority board will go into effect on Sunday, Feb. 10. 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→

City to host a Harbor Blvd. Corridor transit plan workshop on 1/30

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Development, Entertainment, Planning, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

Harbor Plan

You are invited to be part of creating a sustainable vision for the Harbor Boulevard corridor. The City of Santa Ana is hosting a Community Workshop on Wednesday, January 30, 2013, at 3904 West First Street (Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union Building), from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Come see draft land use concepts for the Harbor Boulevard Corridor Plan. These ideas reflect two years of study and outreach with local residents, businesses, property owners, and stakeholders.

Harbor Boulevard represents one of the City’s first efforts to implement the principles of a “complete” street with land use concepts. 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 providing free New Year’s Eve bus rides

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Orange County, Public Safety, Restaurants, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

free octa new year's eve bus rides

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 26, 2012
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Laura Scheper, (714) 560-5697

OCTA Rings In The New Year With Free Bus Rides

OCTA plays designated driver for 11th year

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is helping make end of the year celebrations safe and hassle-free by providing free bus rides between 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31 and 2:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. Continue reading→

ELECT the OCTA Board, stop the political appointments!

Posted on by Posted in Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment
Photo courtesy of the Orange Juice Blog

Photo courtesy of the Orange Juice Blog

The nonsense described in this post, Supervisors Taking Issue With OCTA Board Majority, from Thursday’s union-funded Voice of OC suggests it’s time to expand on an idea we’ve offered in here before — the 17-member Orange County Transportation Authority Board ought to be ELECTED.

Adam Elmahrek’s piece well details the infighting, professional immaturity and malfeasance that’s developed on this too large Board of Directors that’s responsible for the OCTA and its $1.1 billion budget.  This Board could easily be downsized to a more effective group at least half its current size, say seven or nine people.  The non-voting Caltrans representative can be eliminated as worthless. Continue reading→

Holiday travel tips for John Wayne Airport’s passengers

Posted on by Posted in Airplanes, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment
Travelers are encouraged to plan ahead during the busy holiday travel season.

Travelers are encouraged to plan ahead during the busy holiday travel season.

John Wayne Airport
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  December 18, 2012
Contact: Jenny Wedge,  Office: (949) 252-5182,  jwedge@ocair.com

TRAVEL TIPS FOR JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT PASSENGERS
TRAVELING DURING DECEMBER HOLIDAY SEASON

SANTA ANA, Calif. – John Wayne Airport (JWA) anticipates a busier-than-normal travel period between December 21 and January 4, 2012. Last year, more than 440,000 passengers traveled through JWA during this period. To ensure a smooth visit to the Airport, passengers are encouraged to plan ahead and arrive at the Airport 1-½-to-2 hours prior to departure time for domestic flights, and 3 hours for international flights. 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→

Open House set to review charging for parking at the Santa Ana Train Station

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Santa Ana, Transportation 2 Comments

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community Alert: Join in the upcoming Open House to share your ideas on the SARTC Parking Management Plan.

SANTA ANA, CA (December 5, 2012) – The City of Santa Ana is leading a study to examine parking management strategies and evaluate a potential parking fee for the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center (SARTC). This Open House will be your opportunity to review and comment on the new ideas for parking at the SARTC. Please attend and help us improve parking conditions for all users. 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→

Darrell Johnson named next CEO of the OCTA

Posted on by Posted in Darrell Johnson, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation 5 Comments

Johnson Named Next CEO of OCTA

Darrell Johnson, a 20-year industry veteran, will take over the reins March 1

ORANGE – Darrell Johnson, the current deputy CEO of the Orange County Transportation Authority, was selected by the board of directors today to become the next chief executive officer effective March 1.

“Darrell has extensive experience in the transportation industry and an unparalleled understanding of OCTA’s vision,” said OCTA Chairman Paul Glaab, also the mayor of Laguna Niguel. “He has been instrumental in developing and implementing OCTA’s strategic goals and we are excited he will be stepping into this new role.” Continue reading→

Blame John Lewis for the Democrats picking up an Assembly supermajority

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Anaheim, Cecilia Iglesias, Fullerton, Jose Moreno, Miguel Pulido, Orange County, Politics, Republican Party, Rob Richardson, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Tom Daly, Transportation 13 Comments

Former State Senator John Lewis has such a hold on the Republican Party of Orange County that he was able to force the withdrawal of Robert Hammond, their candidate for the 69th Assembly District, so as to pave the way for his Democratic pal Tom Daly. And Lewis also ran the failed campaign of Chris Norby, for the 65th Assembly District. With the loss of Norby’s seat, and the 69th, the California Republican Party ceded a supermajority in the State Assembly to the California Democratic Party.

But Lewis is not the only one to blame. OC GOP Chairman Scott Baugh (a political consultant) and OC Supervisor Janet Nguyen were personally involved in pulling Hammond out of the race for the 69th. And neither of them helped Jose “Joe” Moreno, the Anaheim Republican who, at the last minute, filed for the 69th rather than concede the victory to Daly. Moreno was however undone by allegations that he violated an obscure Federal law – the Hatch Act. Moreno, an employee of the O.C. Health Agency, was accused of this by labor, even though he is a longtime union member. Continue reading→