By: Phil Bacerra
On Monday, January 25, 2015, at 9 a.m., the OCTA will hold a public hearing that could ultimately take bus lines away from Santa Ana, the city with the most transit ridership in Orange County, and reallocate those resources to areas with less than half the ridership of Santa Ana.
According to SCAG and the US Census, 11% of Santa Ana’s residents take transit. Only 6% of Anaheim’s residents use transit. Only 4% in Fullerton, 3% in Orange, and 1% in Irvine. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 2, 2015
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697
NEWS ADVISORY: Poodles, labs and more to ride OCTA buses for service training
WHAT: Service and therapy animals in training are invited to join their handlers in making bus rides a familiar and relaxed experience during the Orange County Transportation Authority’s Service Animal Training Day.
Roundtrip training buses, not in service to the public, will depart every 20 minutes from the ARTIC station in Anaheim to the Downtown Disney District and the Anaheim Garden Walk. Participants can take unlimited rides during this event for free. Continue reading
City of Santa Ana
Community Alert: Take the Santa Ana Safe Mobility Plan Community Survey
The City of Santa Ana views road user safety as an immediate priority and is currently conducting a safety study.
Please help the city understand your priorities for investing in safety by completing the Safe Mobility Santa Ana Plan Survey. There are four questions and it takes 2–4 minutes to complete. Continue reading
In a bid to win federal approval and matching funds, the OCTA agreed Thursday to commit $56 million toward a new light-rail line connecting Santa Ana and Garden Grove. By making the commitment, the OCTA stands to gain up to $144 million from a competitive federal grant program called New Starts to spend on a planned $289 million light-rail line, according to the O.C. Register.
Santa Ana had a streetcar years ago but it was removed – in part to mollify the automobile manufacturers who wanted folks to drive instead of using light rail. It was part of the Pacific Electric rail system, which was a privately owned mass transit system in Southern California consisting of electrically powered streetcars, interurban cars, and buses and was the largest electric railway system in the world in the 1920s. Organized around the city centers of Los Angeles and San Bernardino, it connected cities in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County and Riverside County, according to Wikipedia. Continue reading
City of Santa Ana, Orange County’s Downtown
OC Streetcar Project Takes Next Step
A Memorandum of Understanding was authorized between OCTA and the City of Santa Ana
The OC Streetcar project marked its latest milestone this week as the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors agreed to a memorandum of understanding with the city of Santa Ana outlining the roles and responsibilities associated with the development, implementation, operations and maintenance of the project.
The OC Streetcar is planned to travel through the cities of Santa Ana and Garden Grove, intended to provide easy connections for people traveling from trains and buses to employment, retail and recreational areas. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 24, 2015
Contact: Jenny Wedge, (949) 252-5182, jwedge@ocair.com
JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT PROVIDES FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS
SANTA ANA, Calif. – Summer travel is underway at John Wayne Airport (JWA) and with the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, JWA anticipates a busy travel period from Friday, June 26 through Sunday, July 5. Passengers and visitors are encouraged to check construction alerts at ocair.com and plan ahead if visiting JWA during this time. Passengers are also reminded that fireworks are prohibited in or around the Airport.
“Independence Day is a time to celebrate our country’s independence and many travelers take to the skies during this holiday weekend,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Todd Spitzer. “Our goal is to ensure you have a safe, secure and enjoyable holiday travel experience.” Continue reading
OCTA Chair and Irvine Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Lalloway and OCTA CEO Darrell Johnson stand in front of the redesigned OCTA bus
FOR MORE INFORMATION: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713 June 22, 2015
Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697
New Bus Design Set to Hit OC Streets
OCTA’s refreshed concept features a prominent blue and Orange wave and “OC Bus.”
ORANGE – A new look for OCTA buses will soon be rolling through Orange County streets.
The Orange County Transportation Authority board voted Monday to roll out the colorful new design for its buses as part of an ongoing and comprehensive effort to maximize service, retain riders and get the attention of new customers. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2015
Contact: Jenny Wedge, (949) 252-5182, jwedge@ocair.com
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES® ANNOUNCES NEW NONSTOP ROUTES FROM JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT
SANTA ANA, Calif. – Today, Southwest Airlines announced new nonstop service from John Wayne Airport (JWA) to St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri. Southwest routed their specialty plane, Missouri One, through John Wayne Airport this morning to introduce the new destinations. Service to Kansas City (MCI) and St. Louis (STL), Missouri, will begin on November 22, 2015. Todd Spitzer, Chairman, Orange County Board of Supervisors; Dave Harvey, Southwest Airlines’ Senior Director of Network Planning and Performance; and Laura DeSoto, Chair, Orange County Business Council Board of Directors shared their excitement for these new routes during a media event overlooking John Wayne Airport’s Thomas F. Riley Terminal and airfield.
“We are fortunate to have a world-class airport right here in Orange County. JWA is beautiful, convenient and generates over six billion dollars in annual economic impact – it is a powerful engine that helps drive our economy,” shared Board of Supervisors Chairman Todd Spitzer. “That engine will be even more powerful come November with thanks to Southwest Airlines and the launch of new nonstop service to Kansas City and St. Louis.” Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 10, 2015
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697
OCTA Seeks Volunteers to Serve on Advisory Committees
Applications for advisory committees are being accepted through May 8
ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority is seeking community leaders to fill seats on its Citizens Advisory Committee. OCTA is also seeking volunteers who represent individuals with disabilities and senior citizens in the county to serve on its Special Needs Advisory Committee.
These 34-member committees meet throughout the year to provide input on a broad spectrum of transportation projects, studies and outreach activities and offer input to OCTA staff and its board of directors. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 30, 2015
Contact: Jenny Wedge, (949) 252-5182, jwedge@ocair.com
JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT APPROVES PERMITS FOR RIDESHARING COMPANIES UBER AND WINGZ TO BEGIN OPERATING AT THE AIRPORT
SANTA ANA, Calif. – John Wayne Airport (JWA) today issued permits for two ridesharing companies to begin providing passenger pickups at the Airport. Uber and Wingz were the first two Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) to submit the documentation required to receive JWA’s new TNC Ground Transportation Permit. Wingz intends to begin serving passengers at JWA today, March 30, and Uber plans to begin service Tuesday, March 31.
John Wayne Airport has worked with TNCs for several months to create a permit that ensures they comply with state and local requirements, and provide a safe, secure and efficient service to airport customers. Earlier this month, the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved a ground transportation permit for TNCs that paved the way for ridesharing services to begin. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 25, 2015
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713; Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697
Angels Express Returns for 2015 Season
Popular service returns to Angel Stadium, beginning April 2 and 3
ORANGE – Baseball fans will again be able to hop aboard the Angels Express to quickly get to and from Angels games this season, beginning with the first pre-season home games against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday and Friday, April 2 and 3.
The special Metrolink train service allows fans to avoid traffic jams and save on gas and money by skipping the car trip and parking fees. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 26, 2015
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713; Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697
Survey Shows Vast Majority of OCTA Bus Riders Satisfied With Service
Study of bus riders’ opinions indicates 90 percent are pleased with transit service
ORANGE – Results of a new customer satisfaction survey show that an overwhelming majority of bus riders in Orange County are pleased with the fixed-route bus service that transports nearly 1 million people each week to work, to home, and to retail and entertainment destinations countywide.
This week, the Orange County Transportation Authority Board reviewed results of the 2014 Fixed Route Bus Services Customer Satisfaction Survey, which showed that nine out of 10 bus riders say they are satisfied with OCTA’s bus service. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 10, 2015
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik, OCTA (714) 560-5713, Yvonne Washington, Caltrans (949) 724-2644
NEWS ADVISORY: Dedication Ceremony Planned for $297 Million West County Connectors Project
WHAT: Transportation officials from the Orange County Transportation Authority and Caltrans will join with partners from the federal, state and local levels to mark the completion of the West County Connectors project, which directly connects the carpool lanes between the I-405, I-605 and SR-22 freeways and adds six miles of carpool lane.
The event will mark the completion of the four-year $297 million project that runs through the cities of Garden Grove, Westminster, Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, Long Beach and the community of Rossmoor.
WHEN: 2 to 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 22, 2015
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713 , Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697
Public Invited to Open Houses on I-5 Project in Irvine, Tustin
Measure M project is in the initial phase of exploring the addition of a general-purpose lane between I-405 and SR-55
ORANGE – The public is invited to two open houses next week to learn about proposed improvements to the Santa Ana (I-5) Freeway in Irvine and Tustin.
The Orange County Transportation Authority and Caltrans are holding the meetings, Jan 26 and Jan. 28, as part of the project approval and environmental document phase for the I-5 Irvine Tustin Freeway Improvement Project. Continue reading
OCTA Delivers the End-of-Year Report Highlighting Initiatives and Action Plan
By: OC Supervisor Todd Spitzer, Portions courtesy of the Orange County Transportation Authority
At the Orange County Transportation Authority’s meeting this week, Chief Executive Officer Darrell Johnson summarized the activities and accomplishments from the 2014 Chief Executive Officer’s Initiatives and Action Plan for calendar year 2014. The Chief Executive Officer’s Initiatives and Action Plan supports the values, vision, mission, and goals of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA).
Supervisor Spitzer, who serves as a Director on the Board commended OCTA for the great work that they have done in delivering projects in the Third District and the County. “Transportation is a vital part of the County’s infrastructure, I’m committed to supporting OCTA’s mission to enhance the quality of life and keep Orange County moving.” Continue reading