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Environmental Sustainability

A Culture of Sustainability

This is the story of how we work to safeguard our air, land, water, and community to create healthier, happier lives today, while putting the wheels in motion to shape a resilient future for generations to come.

Our Commitment

For many years, we have demonstrated our commitment to healthy communities and a balanced, equitable and sustainable transportation network. Embracing a zero-emission bus future by building the world’s largest hydrogen fueling station. Pioneering microtransit to reduce congestion and vehicle miles traveled. Identifying climate-change stressors to ensure a strong region prepared for the journeys ahead.

A young girl with closed eyes smells a plant happily

Our Commitment

For many years, we have demonstrated our commitment to healthy communities and a balanced, equitable and sustainable transportation network. Embracing a zero-emission bus future by building the world’s largest hydrogen fueling station. Pioneering microtransit to reduce congestion and vehicle miles traveled. Identifying climate-change stressors to ensure a strong region prepared for the journeys ahead.



Preserving & Conserving Land & Water


Orange County voters told us to prioritize the environment.
For decades, we’ve kept that promise.

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sunny valley
Preserved 1,300 acres of open-space land
seed packet
Allocated $10M to restore 350 acres of open space land
raindrops
Kept nearly 60 million gallons of trash out of waterways
coastline
Protected more than 40 miles of Orange County coastline
Wilderness Preserves
Seven properties have been purchased and permanently preserved as open space and ensure OCTA’s wilderness preserves will remain forever protected from development.
Environmental Mitigation Program
Working in collaboration with state and federal wildlife agencies, the program allocates funds to acquire land and fund habitat restoration to offset the environmental impacts of freeway projects.
Improving Water Quality
Two programs help keep waterways and the ocean free from transportation-generated pollution.
Environmental Committees
To offset the environmental impacts of freeway improvements and improve overall water quality from transportation-related pollution, OCTA seeks feedback and guidance from two committees.


Green Bus Transit

Our OC Bus fleet runs on clean, renewable energy now and is headed toward a 100 percent zero-emission future to bring even cleaner air quality to Orange County.

a smiling man riding riding a bus with a pair of headphones hanging on his neck

  • Conducting a pilot program using a mix of plug-in battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric buses

  • Built nation’s largest hydrogen fueling station with an 18K-gallon fuel capacity, scalable to 100 buses

  • Debuted pilot hydrogen fuel cell electric bus program in 2016, the first in Southern California

  • Replaced 50 support vehicles with zero-emission substitutes

Zero-emission Bus Progress
We’re testing hydrogen & electric to see which performs best in Orange County.
OC Buses Run Clean
OCTA has a history of operating clean buses, including those with renewable CNG fuel.
Electric Support Vehicles
Zero-emission Chevy Bolts will support the bus fleet.
Support Vehicle Charging Stations
Electric vehicle charging stations will be placed at two bus bases.

Clean Travel Modes


We’re making it easier for Orange County to breathe easier with clean travel alternatives for all that reduce pollution, congestion, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT).

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van
Led nationwide microtransit trend to help remove cars from the road and reduce air pollution
dollar bill
Awarded nearly $385 million in funding since 2012 to encourage active transportation
train
Reduced 339M+ VMT with Metrolink annually
bus
Removed thousands of cars from OC streets each July with the OC Fair Express
bike
Completed more than 1,000 miles of regional bikeway network
OC Streetcar
OC Streetcar will reduce vehicle traffic to central Orange County from throughout California.
Free Rides for Students
Two programs remove cars from roads, reduce congestion, and provide equitable access.
OC Active
OCTA is a leader in active transportation funding & programming.
Rail
Metrolink reduces VMT, emissions, and congestion for commuters and leisure travelers.
OC Flex
OC Flex furthers OCTA's goal of reducing air pollution and implementing critical first-mile, last-mile strategies.


Cleaner Journeys on Freeways & Sustainable Streets

We’re maximizing limited space to encourage ridesharing and transit use on sustainable roadways.

a stretch of freeway with traffic during sunrise with a shrubby hill to the left and flat shrub land to the right

  • Pioneered congestion management pricing with the 91 Express Lanes

  • Synchronized more than 2,000 intersections along more than 903 miles of streets through 101 corridors, reducing emissions and greenhouse gases

  • In 2023, reduced VMT by +9.8 million, fuel consumption by +332,000 gallons and GHG emissions by 3,881 tons with vanpool.

Managed Lanes
HOV and tolled express lanes mitigate traffic congestion and pollution and increase efficiency.
Signal Synchronization
This innovative program reduces delays, travel time, greenhouse emissions and fuel consumption.
Sustainable Streets & Roads
OCTA funds countywide paving projects to preserve roads in good condition to minimize material use, disposal, and construction costs.
OC Rideshare Journeys
To reduce VMT and solo driving on roadways, OCTA encourages many rideshare options including vanpool and telework.

Adapting for a Brighter Tomorrow


As stewards of the future, we are working to minimize the effects of potential climate hazards and fortifying assets for sustainability to make sure a strong, resilient future is down the road.
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train tracks
Working with rail partners and local, state and federal stakeholders on both near-term and long-term solutions for protecting rail movement along the critical coastal corridor.
shield
Developing agency resistance to natural and human-induced disasters/hazards
buildings
Protecting the Transit Security & Operations building with sustainable design
Orange County Coastal Rail Resiliency Study

OCTA is studying rail challenges in south Orange County to assess existing and future environmental risks and issues with operations and maintenance along the LOSSAN Rail Corridor.

Hazard Mitigation Plan
This helps develop resistance for natural and human-induced disasters and hazards and assists in accessing federal funding to implement interventions from natural disasters.
Climate Adaptation and Sustainability Plan
This agency-wide effort plans for climate adaptation and integrates environmental sustainability throughout OCTA.
Sustainable Structures
We're innovating with green structures and projects designed to adapt to climate change, harmonize with local climate and culture, support environmental efforts and conserve energy, resources and materials.


Our Commitment

To assure that transportation continues to contribute to a green, resilient county, we’re committed to leadership, administration and oversight thoughtfully focused on sustainability and a healthy future.

a group of people in suits and ties standing in front of a fenced building with a sign that says air products

  • Leading the region with a vision for environmental stewardship & sustainability.

  • Recycled more than 1,160 pounds of electronic waste and 7,735 gallons of used antifreeze in one year at OCTA facilities.

  • Implemented the voter-approved transportation sales tax OC Go, providing $13.2 billion in new funding for freeway, regional/local streets and roads, and transit improvements until 2041.

Leadership & Commitment
We demonstrate both through our transit vision, activities on regional boards, and environmental speaking engagements.
Legislative & Grant Activities
Our dedicated departments assure that OCTA remains aware of and participates in emerging regulations and opportunities.
Environmental Compliance Programs
OCTA administers environmental compliance programs at fixed locations like bus maintenance facilities and capital project construction sites to ensure good environmental stewardship.
Planning for Equity and Diversity
OCTA is committed to ensuring the needs of the most vulnerable and transit-dependent populations are prioritized and met through equitable planning in its climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.

We’re taking action today to ensure a clean, resilient tomorrow.

deer

We’re taking action today to ensure a clean, resilient tomorrow.

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