CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / ORANGE COUNTY

The regular fare to ride a bus in Orange County increased by a quarter Sunday, rising to $1.50 from $1.25.

The Orange County Transportation Authority’s Board of Directors voted in November to increase fares.

Fuel costs for OCTA have risen 185% since 2005, the last time fares were increased, and the organization is facing a shortfall of at least $18 million in its annual bus operating budget, spokesman Joel Zlotnik said.

The latest increase was also deemed necessary because OCTA may fall behind in its “fare-box recovery,” a state requirement that the agency make at least 20 cents on every dollar spent on bus service to receive state funding.

“We’re sort of right on the bubble,” Zlotnik said. “We’re very close to dropping below that.”

Other fare increases include day passes rising to $4 from $3, weekly passes to $20 from $15 and 30-day passes to $55 from $45. Children 6 and younger still ride free.

The transit authority said the increase is just the second in an 18-year span, including the 2005 hike from $1 to $1.25.