New OCTA Board Leaders Will Keep Orange County Moving in 2026
OCTA is starting 2026 with new Board leadership and a continued focus on improving how people travel through the county. Director Jamey M. Federico has been selected as Board Chair, with Director Fred Jung serving as Vice Chair.
Together with the rest of OCTA, they’ll help guide improvements to transit, rail, freeways, and active transportation to support safer trips, better connections, and a stronger Orange County for everyone who rides, walks, bikes, or drives.
Free Bus Rides on February 4 to Honor Rosa Parks’ Birthday
On February 4, we honor civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks, whose quiet yet courageous refusal to give up her bus seat sparked a movement that led to fairer, more equal access to public transportation for all. Join us in celebrating Rosa Parks' legacy by riding free on OC Bus on February 4, her birthday. If you have a Wave card or the mobile app, please tap or scan it as usual — you won’t be charged during the free ride period. Metrolink will also offer free rides on February 4.
Mark Your Calendars for the February 8 Service Change
Designed to improve service reliability, these updates include schedule refinements to better align with school bell schedules and Metrolink trains, as well as to enhance on-time performance across the system.
The following routes received adjustments to improve on-time performance:
These changes will go into effect on February 8. For more details, check here.
Thanks for riding OC Bus.
Celebrate the Year of the Horse
Orange County enthusiastically celebrates Lunar New Year, and 2026, the Year of the Horse, is no exception. For a day of family fun, ride OC Metrolink to LA’s Golden Dragon Parade on February 21 and enter for a chance to win free Metrolink tickets. The $10 Weekend Pass offers unlimited rides Saturday or Sunday and kids 17 and under ride free.
In addition, OCTA is celebrating the Lunar New Year at local festivals across Orange County. Stop by the OCTA booth at these events and enjoy our kid zone featuring traditional Vietnamese lantern-making activities and Lunar New Year-themed coloring books for children.
UVSA Tet Festival
Feb. 13 to Feb. 15 at Golden West College
OC Bus routes 25, 70 & 123
Riders Get Onboard with Wave
More riders are making the smart move from paper bus passes to Wave every day. Wave’s pay-as-you-go system lets you pay only for the rides you take, instead of the fixed amount on a paper pass.
OCTA is currently helping special pass holders transition, with College Pass students set to use their new Wave cards this spring and Youth Ride Free riders already tapping and riding with their new cards. Paper passes will no longer be accepted after April 30, so make the switch to Wave today and ride with ease.
OCTA Continues to Fight Against Human Trafficking
Unfortunately, human trafficking thrives here in Orange County. Victims are hiding in plain sight on buses and at transit centers. Since 2011, hundreds of OCTA coach operators have received annual training from members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Transit Police and the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) to help them identify and assist victims. Click here to learn more about human trafficking and what you can do to join the fight against it.
Roadeo Competition Showcases Bus Driving Excellence
OCTA recently recognized the winners of the 2025 OCTA Roadeo competition, an annual event designed to celebrate excellence among transit operators and maintenance teams.
The Roadeo competition promotes safe and efficient driving by challenging participants to demonstrate their skills in precision maneuvering, defensive driving, and adherence to safety standards under realistic operating conditions. The event highlights individual achievement and reinforces OCTA’s ongoing commitment to passenger safety, operational excellence, and continuous training across its transit system.
Last year’s Roadeo winner in the driving category, Coach Operator Darvy Traylor, will represent OCTA at both the regional and international levels. If you see him on your bus, please wish him the best!
