A look back on what Orange County riders accomplished in 2009

Happy New Year from Transit Advocates of Orange County!

2009 Accomplishments
As you know, times are very bad for bus transit right now, and OCTA service has been taking a big hit. Still, your phone calls, letters and public comments at board meetings helped retain quite a bit of bus service so many people will still be able to get where they need to go. Over 100 riders and transit supporters attended several key OCTA meetings and here's what that accomplished in 2009:
 

• We helped re-direct $64 million to the bus system
• We minimized the impact of the Sept. 2009 and March 2010 service cuts:
  • Delayed or cancelled 150,000 hours of cuts (8% of OCTA service / $12 million)
  • Saved first run of the Night Owl buses
  • Retained the full routing of the 57
  • Retained the full routing of the 24, weekdays only
  • Retained 29 to La Habra Blvd, 59 to La Palma Ave.
  • Retained 14 instances of "span" (first and last buses of day) for Sept. cuts
  • Retained all span for March cuts
• We gave testimony at State Assembly Transportation Committee hearings on transit funding
• We started the public discussion regarding the $125 million of bus funds being used for the Bristol St. Widening project

Latest News
Thanks to your advocacy, the 57 route will continue to run all the way to Brea Mall, instead of being cut short at State College and Orangethorpe.

Save the Dates:

Southern California Transit Forum:
Seeking Solutions for the Transit Funding Crisis
Friday, February 5, 2010, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Chapman University, City of Orange
RSVP 714-560-5939 or pwandelear@octa.net

OCTA Service Change
March 14, 2010

Be sure to study the changes that will affect you; they will be substantial since many routes are being severely reduced or eliminated. Summary information is available at www.octa.net/service0310.aspx but the Bus Book and the OCTA website will have specific information when it becomes available.