Board Actions

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Meeting of Nov. 9, 2009

March Bus Service Cuts Reduced To 150,000 Revenue Vehicle Hours

The board voted to reduce the March bus service cuts to 150,000 hours, instead of the original 300,000 hours planned.

This decision is based on the assumption the State Transit Assistance Fund, which was eliminated, will be restored because of a successful lawsuit by the California Transit Association. If the state funding is not reinstated, OCTA may need to reduce

To help sustain current bus service levels, $68 million of Commuter and Urban rail Endowment Funds will be transferred to bus operations.

The service reductions are necessary to bridge a more than $330 million budget gap over the next five years because of declines in sales tax revenue, fare revenue and the suspension of state funding.

More than 900 comments have been received on the service reductions. The board will vote on specific service cuts at the Nov. 23 meeting.

Measure M Quarterly Report Indicates Sales Tax Drop Will Continue

Measure M, the half-cent transportation sales tax approved by Orange County voters in 1990, has resulted in the allocation of $705.5 million for freeway, street and transit projects to date.

All lanes on the Beach Boulevard bridge of the Santa Ana Freeway (I-5) are now open to commuters and the project is nearly 80 percent complete. Nearly $2.5 million was awarded to Santa Ana and Brea for road improvements. Measure M funds have been utilized for the Metrlolink service expansion program, including the design work for the new parking structure at Tustin Metrolink station, which is 45 percent complete.

With the continuing downturn in the economy and reduction in local sales tax, Measure M revenue is expected to decline by an additional $19 million, compared to the second quarter in 2009.

Reduced Responsibility For Maintaining Bus Stops Saves Money

With the start of the new bus stop maintenance contract in December, OCTA will service half the number of bus stops requiring extra maintenance, known as trash hot spots, to save $300,000 annually.

Earlier this year, the board voted to gradually hand over the responsibility of cleaning the 2,500 bus stops considered trash hot spots to the cities that own them.

OCTA plans to reduce the $300,000 spent on trash hot spots to $150,000 in 2011 and eliminate the service altogether in 2012.

OCTA will continue to provide regular bus stop maintenance, which includes monthly cleaning and trash pick-up, graffiti removal on OCTA signs and poles, and route change updates at all bus stops.

Board Congratulates Winners Of OCTA’s 34th Annual Bus Roadeo