Buses Offer Alternative to Regular Train Riders

Orange County commuters who normally ride Amtrak or Orange County Transportation Authority trains to downtown Los Angeles have a few alternatives to rail service:

* OCTA will replace its own double-deck commuter train with emergency bus service. Buses will leave the San Juan Capistrano train station at 6 a.m., the Irvine station at 6:12 a.m., and the Santa Ana station 6:23 a.m. Buses will not stop in Anaheim or Fullerton. Buses will leave Union Station in Los Angeles at intervals from 4:45 until 5:40 p.m. These buses will accept Amtrak and OCTA train passes; without a pass, the fare is $3 each way.

* Orange County Transit District bus service from Fullerton and Huntington Beach also goes to downtown Los Angeles.

Line 721 leaves the Fullerton Park and Ride on Magnolia Avenue every 20 minutes from 5:05 until 8:35 a.m. The bus makes 15 stops in Los Angeles, traveling along 6th Street. The line ends at the corner of 5th Street and Beaudry Avenue. The 721 leaves 5th and Beaudry every 20 minutes from 2:54 until 6:35 p.m.

Line 701 travels between Huntington Center and the corner of Central Avenue and San Pedro Street in downtown Los Angeles, with a stop in Seal Beach and about two dozen stops in Los Angeles. It leaves Huntington Center at 5:30, 5:50 and 6:20 a.m.; return buses leave Los Angeles at 4:15, 4:35 and 5:05 p.m. The fare is $3 each way.

* The L.A.-based Southern California Rapid Transit District operates four bus lines between Orange County cities and downtown Los Angeles.

Line 104, a local, runs between Fullerton and the industrial area southeast of L.A.’s civic center.

Line 460, an express, starts at Disneyland and stops in downtown L.A.

Line 470, a local to Montebello that then becomes an express to Los Angeles, starts at the Brea Mall. Line 490, an express, starts at Cal State Fullerton, stops at the Brea Mall, becomes a local to Cal Poly Pomona and El Monte and then becomes an express into downtown L.A.

Fares vary from from $1.10 to $3.30 each way. For information, call (714) 635-6010.

* Greyhound offers bus service to Los Angeles from Anaheim, Irvine, San Clemente, Santa Ana and Westminster. Fares and schedules vary according to departure point. A ticket averages about $6.65 one way or $12.60 for a round trip. For schedules call (714) 542-2215.

* Commuters who wish to car-pool can arrange rides through the OCTA’s Rideshare database. Orange County residents going to work in Los Angeles County can call (213) 380-6433. Those traveling to Orange County from Los Angeles can call (714) 636-7433.

For information, call the OCTA at (714) 636-RIDE.