A suspect stole an OCTA shuttle bus in Irvine on Thursday night and led Irvine police officers on an approximately half-hour chase that ended with a crash into a guardrail on a freeway in Costa Mesa, according to NBC.
The bus was reported stolen from near the intersection of Barranca Parkway and Harvard Avenue at about 6:20 p.m., according to KTLA. Continue reading
This artist rendering shows the approximate concept for the OC Streetcar vehicles. Photo courtesy of the OCTA.
OC Streetcar Plans Roll Forward with Selection of Vehicles
The contract for up to $51.5 million will provide eight vehicles, each able to carry 180 riders
ORANGE – Plans for Orange County’s first modern streetcar rolled forward when the Orange County Transportation Authority board of directors on Monday approved the purchase of the streetcars that will carry passengers on the route through Santa Ana and Garden Grove.
The contract with Siemens Industries, in the amount of up to $51.5 million, will provide eight streetcar vehicles and spare parts and tools. The OC Streetcar route will have six vehicles in operation and two spare cars that can be rotated into the system as needed. Continue reading
Mobile Readers Make OCTA Bus Boarding Easier
Bus service changes go into effect Sunday to provide improved service through OC Bus 360°
ORANGE – Boarding a bus in Orange County will get easier starting Sunday, Feb. 11 when the Orange County Transportation Authority fully implements mobile ticketing on its fleet systemwide.
Riders who purchase bus fares via the OC Bus app on their smartphone or other mobile device will now be able to call up a QR code and quickly scan it on the onboard reader. Previously, coach operators had to review the screen and validate each boarding, which could slow down the boarding process. Continue reading
City of Santa Ana
Community: Employment Opportunity with OCTA – Jan. 31 at 12pm-4pm at Santa Ana WORK Center
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is currently in search of talented drivers.
Meet with OCTA on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 from 12pm-4pm at the Santa Ana WORK Center, 1000 E. Santa Ana Blvd., Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92701.
Coach Operator Positions available with starting at $16.80 an hour. No bus driving experience required. Paid training and great benefits available. Continue reading
$1.9 Billion I-405 Improvement Project Kicks Off
The largest highway project under construction in the state to deliver relief on busiest stretch of highway in the nation
The Orange County Transportation Authority, in cooperation with Caltrans, is leading the I-405 Improvement Project between State Route 73 in Costa Mesa and Interstate 605 at the Orange County border with Los Angeles County.
The $1.9 billion project, funded with a combination of local, state and federal funds, will be the largest highway project under construction in California. Continue reading
OC Streetcar Rolls On with Invitation for Construction Bids
Invitation for pre-qualified firms to submit bids to build the OC Streetcar system in Santa Ana and Garden Grove moves project closer to breaking ground next year
ORANGE – Plans for Orange County’s first modern streetcar took another major step forward this month when the Orange County Transportation Authority board of directors approved the release of an invitation for bids to build the OC Streetcar.
The invitation for bids from contractors marks a significant milestone for the project as it begins the process to select a qualified contractor to build the 4.1-mile streetcar that will run through the heart of Orange County, in Santa Ana and Garden Grove. Continue reading
OCTA to Use $75,000 Grant for Bicyclist and Pedestrian Safety
California Office of Traffic Safety grant will help fund safety training and materials
ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety for a year-long community program dedicated to bicycle-skills training and distribution of safety equipment for people walking and biking.
The aim of the program is to increase safety and reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities. OCTA will use the funding as part of the agency’s ongoing commitment to deliver transportation solutions, including for active transportation – biking, walking and skating. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 4, 2017
Santa Claus is Coming to Town for 25th Annual Stuff-A-Bus
The yearly event brings people together to help collect toys for local kids in need during the holidays
ORANGE – Those looking to make Santa’s nice list this year can do so by donating toys at the 25th annual Stuff-A-Bus event on Friday, Dec. 15 at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
The public is encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys or sporting equipment to the Honda Center west parking lot at 2695 E. Katella Ave. in Anaheim from 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Toys will be distributed to children in need throughout the community. Continue reading
OCTA Awards Santa Ana High School for Active Transportation Art Contest
Seven schools participated in the chalk art contest to help promote walking and bicycling
ORANGE – Santa Ana Valley High School is one of two winners countywide in the Orange County Transportation Authority’s Chalk, Walk and Roll contest promoting the benefits of active transportation, such as walking and bicycling.
Students at Santa Ana Valley were among seven finalists who submitted artwork from their campus. Their winning chalk drawing shows a skateboarder with the head of a falcon – the school’s mascot – appearing to break through the sidewalk.
Four high schools and three middle schools from around the county submitted chalk art related to active transportation during the contest from Oct. 2 to Nov. 6. All of the artwork was featured on the OC Active Facebook page and the winners were determined by which received the most likes on the page. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 27, 2017
OCTA Seeks Feedback on Transit Master Plan
11 corridors are being considered to help make transit more efficient in Orange County
ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority invites members of the public to help continue shaping the future of transportation in Orange County by taking the OC Transit Vision Survey.
The survey will help shape the Transit Master Plan, which is a long-term plan for transit in Orange County that looks at current and future transportation needs, as well how to make it easier to travel by bus and rail. Continue reading
City of Santa Ana
Community: OC Streetcar Community Open House – Thursday, November 16, 2017 / Reunión Pública
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is hosting a community open house for the OC Streetcar project – the first modern streetcar in Orange County. Stop by any time during the open house this Thursday, November 16, 2017, to learn the latest on the design of the streetcar system, project schedule, upcoming construction and more. Continue reading
OCTA Honors Those Who Served for Veterans Day
A tradition since 2010, transportation agency thanks the men and women for their military service and their ongoing public service in transportation
ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority this week recognized the service of employees who are military veterans during OCTA’s eighth annual Veterans Day Appreciation event. Continue reading
Free OC Bus Rides for Santa Ana College Students
Get Rolling with New Program
Three-year program OK’d by students encourages use of public transportation
ORANGE – Officials from the Orange County Transportation Authority and Santa Ana College gathered today with students and community members at the college to mark the launch of a new pilot program that allows nearly 42,000 students to ride any OC Bus for free.
The free bus rides are part of a three-year pilot program, the first of its kind in Orange County, initiated by OCTA in cooperation with Santa Ana College administrators and approved by a vote of students at the college. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2017
Go Stress-Free, Go OC Fair Express
The OC Fair Express continues to attract higher weekend ridership than previous years
ORANGE – Since the express bus service to the OC Fair began in 2011, more fair-goers have continued to discover how the OC Fair Express provides a convenient, stress-free ride to and from the OC Fair.
After its first two weekends of service this year, ridership on the Orange County Transportation Authority’s OC Fair Express has grown 36 percent compared to last year. Nearly 30,000 people so far this summer have taken the express service, saving time and money along the way. Continue reading
OCTA Scholarship Program Invests in Education
Employee-funded program awards more than $13,000 to 26 students
ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority recently held its annual scholarship event, awarding $13,000 to students through a fund that is raised entirely from employee donations.
The OCTA Scholarship Fund provided 25 deserving students with awards of $500 to offset their college tuition and help advance their academic careers. Continue reading