OCTA’s Mission: Mobility for All

For those without cars by choice, finances or the edict of the Department of Motor Vehicles, bus service in Orange County is vital. It’s up to the Orange County Transportation Authority to match the buses to the passengers and not leave potential riders waiting for hours.

Last week the authority increased service on two dozen routes, which should help those dependent on mass transit. The added bus trips are concentrated on busy routes that serve the colleges in the county and large employment centers, including the Block at Orange and the Buena Park Mall.

That serves a need. Schools like UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton have thousands of students who may not be able to afford both tuition and car payments. Big shopping centers have numerous clerks, maintenance workers and other employees whose minimum-wage jobs don’t always provide enough money for gas and insurance, even if they can afford a car.

There still will be gaps in service. Before last week, the last northbound bus serving Golden West College in Huntington Beach left the campus at 6:18 p.m. Now there will be service until 10:11 p.m. That’s not to say there will be a Route 25 bus every 15 minutes or even every half-hour. The wait for a bus after the 6:18 can be anywhere from half an hour to an hour and 20 minutes. Still, that’s an improvement.

Orange County now has one of the fastest-growing transit systems in the nation. To keep up with expected demand in the next 15 years, the authority plans to increase the number of bus trips by nearly 50%. The latest increase in service is the second major one of the year, following the institution of additional weekend service.

The additions do not come without cost. Next year fares will go up, which will help finance bus operations. State transit funds also are used for that purpose. In addition, the authority is planning to add new buses, which should be a priority. Finding money for around-the-clock service also would be helpful.

Operating costs increase as buses age, especially with the increasing demands imposed by greater numbers of riders. The transit authority has to see to it that those without cars aren’t left out when it comes to moving around the county.