OCTA May Hike Prices, End Free Bus Transfers

For the first time in eight years, Orange County transit officials are considering fare increases, including the elimination of free transfers and a rate hike for senior citizens.

A public hearing on the proposed fare changes will be held Feb. 22. If the new fares are approved by the Orange County Transportation Authority board in March, they could go into effect as soon as July.

The most controversial element of the plan is the elimination of reduced fares for senior citizens. Seniors now pay only 15 cents to ride during off-peak hours, and they can transfer free to other buses.

Under the proposed plan, seniors would have to pay 50 cents every time they board a bus, or they could buy a $1.25 day pass offering unlimited transfers.

The proposal drew criticism from advocates for senior citizens, who make up 5% of OCTA’s riders. They say the rate hike would be devastating, potentially stranding seniors on fixed incomes who have come to rely on cheap public transportation to get around.

“We’re going to talk to them about this and if necessary let them know we plan to fight it,” said Stanton Mayor Harry Dotson, a member of the Orange County Senior Citizens Advisory Committee. He and other committee members plan to meet with OCTA officials today to protest the proposed changes.

Seniors wouldn’t be the only bus riders in Orange County who may have to reach deeper into their pockets.

The elimination of transfers would affect most OCTA riders. The basic $1 one-way fare will remain the same, but the elimination of free transfers would mean a rate hike of 25% for people needing to take more than one route to get to their destination. A round trip involving transfers now costs $2. Under the new plan, it would cost $2.50.

“This would definitely affect a significant number of passengers,” OCTA spokesman John Standiford said.

OCTA officials say the hikes are needed to improve service. OCTA has one of the nation’s fastest-growing bus systems. Last year, a record 52 million trips were made aboard county buses.

The fare changes would generate an estimated $1.5 million a year. That money would make it possible to increase bus service by about 5%, Standiford said. If the increases are approved, the agency plans to add 70 to 100 bus trips on existing routes and expand nighttime, weekend and weekday service.

For a long time, seniors have been getting big discounts from OCTA. Until 1988, in fact, they could ride the buses free during off-peak hours. Eight years ago when the agency boosted the senior fare to 15 cents there was considerable outcry.

“We believe it is a necessary increase,” said Standiford, who noted that off-peak bus ridership has increased dramatically in the last decade. “Of course, the board has the option of looking at the senior fares and possibly going in a different direction.”

As federally mandated, seniors and disabled people would continue to get a 50% reduction on monthly passes and would also pay half price on the proposed all-day pass.

The agency also is talking about ways to reduce bus fares for students, who now get only a $4 discount from the $37.50 adult monthly pass.

One idea under consideration would have OCTA sell reduced-fare passes to school districts, which could then, if they choose, resell them to their students at an even lower price.

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What’s Fare

Some fares will change if proposals suggested by Orange County transit officials are approved. A restructuring of the basic fare, elimination of free transfers and an increase for seniors are among the ideas.

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Existing Proposed Cash fare $1 $1 per boarding Senior/ disabled fare 45 peak* 50 per boarding 15 off-peak Transfers Free Eliminated Day pass None $2.50 Senior / disabled day pass None $1.25

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No changes are proposed for intracounty monthly pass ($37.50), student monthly pass ($33.50), senior monthly pass ($18.50), daily one-way ($3) and monthly ($107) express to Los Angeles.

Before Fares Change

Here are the times and places of public hearings that must be held before fare changes can be made.

Saturday, Jan. 30, 10 a.m.

* Mission Viejo Library, 25209 Marguerite Parkway

* Garden Grove Community Center, 11300 Stanford Ave.

Saturday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m.: Fullerton College, Room 415, 321 E. Chapman Ave.

Monday, Feb. 22, 9 a.m.: Planning Commission room, County Hall of Administration, 10 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana

* Peak hours are 6 a.m.-9 a.m. and 3 p.m.-6 p.m. weekdays

Source: Orange County Transportation Authority