News Release
Feb. 23, 2009
Budget Woes Topic Of
New OCTA Web Site
Goal is to keep public and employees regularly updated
about efforts to tackle loss in revenue
ORANGE – Facing an unprecedented budget crisis, the Orange County Transportation Authority launched a Web site today where the public and its employees can turn for the latest information during this difficult financial time.
In the fiscal year that ends June 30, OCTA will have suffered a more than $36 million drop in revenue for bus operations, putting service at risk for the tens of thousands of passengers who depend upon it.
“Unfortunately, climbing out of this financial hole created by the state budget crisis and economic recession will require all of us to make sacrifices,” said OCTA Chairman Peter Buffa. “It’s important to provide as much information as possible to the taxpayers of Orange County and our employees as we confront difficult decisions.”
This year’s revenue shortfall represents nearly 15 percent of OCTA’s $263 million bus operations budget. It comes despite an approximate 25 percent bus fare increase that went into effect in January. The losses are a result of:
OCTA is working to balance this year’s budget and to prepare for a bleak financial picture next year, through a combination of cost-cutting measures. Among them:
The newly launched Web site – www.octa.net/budget – provides information on the current financial picture, details of cost-cutting measures, correspondence to OCTA administrative and union employees, and a video message from CEO Art Leahy.
# # #
|