OCTA offered bus rides to the OC Fair for $4 roundtrip from five locations throughout the county during the fair’s five-week run July 18 to Aug. 17.
ORANGE – The OC Fair closed out its 2025 run and final tallies show that OC Fair Express once again provided thousands of attendees with an affordable, convenient way to reach the fairgrounds.
In all, 22,888 boarding were recorded on the Orange County Transportation Authority’s special bus service to the OC Fair, helping people avoid traffic congestion and reducing demand for parking around the Costa Mesa fairgrounds.
That’s nearly 30% more boardings compared to the 2024 OC Fair, with one additional pickup location this year.
“This year’s OC Fair Express was a great success, giving families, seniors, and young people across Orange County an easy, affordable way to enjoy one of our region’s signature events,” said OCTA Chair Doug Chaffee, also the county’s Fourth District Supervisor. “It’s another great example of how public transit can connect people to important community destinations while also helping reduce congestion and support sustainability.”
The OC Fair Express ran every Saturday and Sunday for five consecutive weekends, with five convenient pickup locations across the county. Ridership was strong from the opening weekend, with more than 3,800 boardings, and continued to build momentum throughout the run.
Social media buzz and positive word-of-mouth from riders helped spread awareness, and families, students, and seniors alike took advantage of the low fares and convenience.
Ridership by route over the five weekends was:
- Anaheim (ARTIC): 6,567
- Laguna Hills Transportation Center: 4,917
- Huntington Beach (Golden West Transportation Center): 4,508
- Fullerton Park and Ride: 4,253
- Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center (SARTC): 2,643
Fares mirrored OCTA’s regular low-cost bus service. Adults rode for just $4 round trip, while youth ages 18 and younger rode free with no pass required. Seniors 60 and older paid just $1.50 round trip.
OCTA will continue working with OC Fair officials to explore bringing back the service in future years. For more information, visit OCFairExpress.com.
