OCTA is facing a very tough budget situation because transit funds from the State have been cut, leaving OCTA without a large chunk of money needed to fund the actual day to day operation of buses. OCTA staff is studying how to make cuts in the bus system and has held a series of public meetings, bought ads, and put service change info on buses. OCTA really needs to hear from more riders about what the specific service needs are so the cuts cause the least harm.
The Night OWL service is targeted for complete elimination because, it is argued, ridership is very low and the money spent on Night OWL service would be better spent on service at other times of the day. What many people don't realize is that Night OWL riders have fewer choices for transportation than riders at other times of the day. For these folks, it's the Night OWL or nothing in many cases.
The four Night OWL routes targeted to be eliminated are the 43 La Habra to Costa Mesa via Whittier Blvd/Harbor Blvd, 50 Long Beach to Orange via Katella Ave, 57 Brea to Newport Beach via State College Blvd/Bristol St, and 60 Long Beach to Tustin via Westminster Ave/17th St. The service reductions would start in March 2010.
What You Need to Do
You need to talk with OCTA to tell them what will work for you. Staff is trying to figure this out and plans are not set yet. If your workplace is effected, have your manager or HR department contact OCTA to tell them about the problems losing the Night OWL will cause. You can drop off a comment card or letter when you buy a bus pass at OCTA, attend the public hearing on Monday, October 26, 2009 at OCTA Headquarters at 9 AM, or send a letter to Wendy Knowles, Clerk of the Board, OCTA, 555 S Main St, PO Box 14184, Orange, CA 92863-1584. If you let OCTA know what you need, they can try to help you. Now is the time for input.
Info About Proposed March 2010 Service Reductions
43 La Habra to Costa Mesa via Whittier Blvd/Harbor Blvd
La Habra - Whittier Christian High School, La Habra Square, La Habra High School, Washington Middle School, Sonora High School
Fullerton - St. Jude Hospital, North Court, Fullerton College, Fullerton Union High School, Fullerton Transportation Center, Metro Center of Fullerton, Orangefair Mall
Anaheim - Anaheim Cultural Arts Center, Anaheim Library, Anaheim Resort Area, Anaheim Convention Center, Disneyland, Anaheim High School
Garden Grove - Garden Grove High School, Hotel Row, Izaak Walton Intermediate School, Santiago High School
Santa Ana - Argosy University, Segerstrom High School
Fountain Valley - Los Amigos High School
Costa Mesa - Charles W. Tewinkle Middle School, Estancia High School, National University Whittier Law School, Triangle Square
50 Long Beach to Orange via Katella Ave
Orange - The Village at Orange, Lincoln Park-and-Ride, Yorba Middle School
Anaheim - Honda Center, Angel Stadium, Anaheim Train Station, Anaheim Resort, Anaheim Convention Center, Disneyland, Anaheim Garden Walk
Garden Grove - Louis Lake Intermediate School, Rancho Alamitos High School
Stanton - Stanton Civic Center
Cypress - Cypress Business Park, Cypress Plaza
Los Alamitos - Los Alamitos Race Track, Los Alamitos Medical Center, Los Alamitos Civic Center, Oak Middle School
Long Beach - El Dorado Park, Cal State Long Beach, VA Hospital
57 Brea to Newport Beach via State College Blvd/Bristol St
Brea - Brea Mall, Brea Civic Center
Fullerton - Craig Regional Park, Fullerton Union High School, Troy High School, Cal State Fullerton, Western State University Law School
Anaheim - Angel Stadium, Anaheim Amtrak Station, Sycamore Junior High, South Junior High, Katella High School
Orange - The Block at Orange, UCI Medical Center, Lamoreaux Justice Center, Theo Lacy Jail, Orangewood Children's Home
Santa Ana - Bristol Marketplace, Santa Ana College, Gonzalo Felicitas Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School, Mater Dei High School, Coastal Communities Hospital, South Coast Village, Saddleback High School
Costa Mesa - Orange County Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa Library, South Coast Plaza
Newport Beach - Platt College, Interior Design Institute, Newport Beach Civic Plaza, Orange County Museum of Art, Corona Del Mar High School, Newport Center/Fashion Island, Newport Sports Museum, Newport Transportation Center
60 Long Beach to Tustin via Westminster Ave/17th St
Tustin - Tustin Library, Tustin Civic Center, Columbus Tustin Middle School, Larwin Square
Santa Ana - Sierra Intermediate School, Nova Academy, Albor Charter High School, Orange County High School of the Arts, Willard Intermediate School, Santa Ana College, Bristol Marketplace
Garden Grove - Leroy L. Doig Intermediate School, Santiago High School, Bolsa Grande High School, Donald S. Jordan Intermediate School
Westminster - West County Court House, Westminster Civic Center, Senior Center, West Justice Center, Warner Middle School, Johnson Middle School, Westminster High School
Seal Beach - Leisure World, Naval Weapons Station
Long Beach - Cal State Long Beach, VA Hospital
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