OCTA Transit Committee proceeds with bus service reduction plan
The Transit Committee today voted to adopt OCTA staff's bus service plans, breaking off major routes — such as the 43 and the 57 — and cutting weekend service. You can view OCTA's color plans in itsfull PDF glory, and my summary here. The OC Register just released this story:
ORANGE – Orange County transportation officials approved a plan today to slash the late-night service that serves graveyard-shift workers and would eliminate routes that go from Huntington Beach to Costa Mesa and Brea to Santa Ana.
The plan cuts 150,000 hours of service from the bus schedule – a smaller cut than the Orange County Transportation Authority had expected to make. At one time, the agency was looking to slash 300,000 hours of service.
The Transit Committee voted 4-1 in favor of the cuts, with Chairwoman Janet Nguyen voting no – saying that she's opposed to the cuts.
Eight bus riders and their advocates voiced their concern to the committee, including a woman whose microphone was taken away after Nguyen argued that she had already spoken. A student said that slashing routes would make it difficult to get to Cal State Fullerton.
Eliminated routes include service from Seal Beach to Westminster and Brea to Santa Ana on weekdays. Service from Fullerton to Orange will be eliminated on weekends and weekdays.
Read more from the article Bus routes slashed in budget crunch...
