Thanks to the efforts of the Transit Advocates of Orange County (TAOC), OCTA is now considering making only a 150,000 hour cut in service beginning March 2010 instead of a 300,000 hour cut. The consideration of the reduced cut comes with the condition that transit funds or other money must be found to prevent another 150,000 hour cut later. If the increased funding does not come thru, service will have to be cut again.
Thru their research and outreach efforts, TAOC was able to identify that the Commuter Rail Endowment Fund (CURE) money could be used to backfill other accounts which could have monies transferred to the bus operations account. At the November 10, 2009 Board meeting, OCTA directors gave direction to staff to proceed with the plan for a 150,000 hour service reduction.
However, the reduced service hour cuts will also include a restructuring of routes 24, 29, 43, 47, 53, 57, 59, and 70. The new routes being considered and a draft of the new map is available here. Download 150rec The public who use these routes needs to look at the proposed changes carefully and let OCTA staff know how the changes will impact them. OCTA staff has demonstrated a track record of listening to public input, so please let them know if the route restructurings will have serious impacts on your ability to get to work, school, or family obligations.
More detail about timetables and service span for operations under the newly proposed 150,000 hour service reduction has not been made available. This is the first part of a potentially major restructuring of the way OCTA delivers public transportation services in Orange County. Although no specific plans have been discussed, ideas about increased outsourcing of bus service, using vans or smaller buses, using an on-call system, and allowing some areas to go without bus service have been brought up during Board meetings. This issue will have serious implications for public transportation in Orange County.
Upcoming OCTA meetings you need to know about:
November 12 - Thursday - 9 AM - Transit Committee to discuss 150,000 service hour reduction scenario
November 23 - Monday - 9 AM - Board Meeting - service reduction for March 2010 will be voted on
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