Countywide : Some Bus Routes to Be Eliminated

Some bus routes will be discontinued or will reduce service beginning Sunday because of low ridership, Orange County Transportation Authority officials said. Most of the changes will be on coastal routes.

At the same time, transit authorities said they will expand service on two more popular routes because of increased demand.

SuperBus service is being introduced on Route 85, from Santa Ana to San Clemente, and on Express Route 205, from San Juan Capistrano to Irvine. The service uses a truck and trailer, which can carry a larger number of passengers.

The service reductions will affect Route 53, Orange to Balboa; Route 64, Santa Ana to Seal Beach; and Route 70, Santa Ana to Sunset Beach.

While Route 85 is getting the SuperBus for its run from Santa Ana to San Clemente, the number of trips between Santa Ana and Laguna Hills will be reduced.

Route 65, which runs from Santa Ana to Balboa, will be rerouted through the Tustin Market Place.

Route 73, which originates in Brea and ends in Irvine, will be renumbered Commuter Service Route 373. The time schedules will remain the same, but riders will now be carried in mini buses.

The discontinued routes are Route 92, Laguna Hills to Mission Viejo; Route 310, Huntington Beach to Long Beach; Route 311A, Huntington Beach to Santa Ana, and Route 315, Mission Viejo to Anaheim.

Beginning July 1, bus riders will be able to transfer up to two times free, but transfers from Amtrak to buses will cost 50 cents. Metrolink transfers will still be free. The transportation authority will also sell a book of 10 ride coupons for $9.