Community meetings offer public a chance to weigh in as OCTA grapples with cuts in state funding and declining sales tax revenue
ORANGE – Residents are invited to community meetings in May detailing the Orange County Transportation Authority’s bus service reduction plan – an effort to bridge a five-year, $272 million funding gap.
The shortfall is a result of California lawmakers eliminating the State Transit Assistance fund, OCTA’s only ongoing source of day-to-day bus operations money, and a severe decline in sales tax revenue.
“The impact of the financial crisis on bus service was bad enough, but now Sacramento has decided that public transit is no longer a priority in California,” said OCTA Chairman Peter Buffa. “It’s the worst possible timing. When the state raids taxpayer dollars intended for buses and spends it on something else, we have no choice but to reduce service.”
From September 2009 through June 2010, OCTA anticipates reducing approximately 400,000 vehicle service hours, roughly 22 percent of service. Night Owl service may be eliminated, route adjustments are possible, and frequency and service hours will be impacted.
Public feedback will assist OCTA as it plans for changes in September, December, March and June. The community meetings all are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.:
Tuesday, May 12
Anaheim City Hall East, Council Chambers, 1st Floor, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd. Served by bus routes 42, 42A, 47, 47A, 147
Wednesday, May 13
OCTA Headquarters, 600 S. Main St. in Orange
Served by bus routes 53, 56, 83, 147, 453, 757
Thursday, May 14
Laguna Hills Community Center, 25555 Alicia Parkway in Laguna Hills
Served by bus routes 87 and 91
For information or to comment online, please visit: www.octa.net
