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As gas prices rise to record levels in Orange County and the region, the Orange County Transportation Authority is offering discounts on the already reasonable price to ride public transportation.
A day pass on OC Bus costs just $5, allowing bus riders to travel on any regular bus route throughout the county. That’s less than the average cost of just one gallon of gas right now.
OCTA also recently introduced two additional ways to save with Value Pass options:
- Five single day passes for $15 (a $10 savings compared to the regular price)
- A 30-day pass for $40 (a $29 savings).
“OCTA has always offered a safe and affordable way to travel, but now more than ever we hope that people throughout Orange County will give public transportation a try and discover the many benefits,” said OCTA Chairman Mark A. Murphy, also the Mayor of Orange.
Buses in the OC Bus system run on clean-burning compressed natural gas. OCTA is also testing two zero-emission electric technologies on its buses.
OCTA continues to prioritize safety of its passengers and coach operators even as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to wane. All passengers and coach operators are required to wear masks, as required by federal mandate, and every bus offers hand-sanitizer dispensers and masks for riders who need them.
Additional bus service has gradually been added back based on demand.
OCTA also recently became the first transit agency in the region to permanently offer a Youth Ride Free pass, which allows youth ages 6 to 18 the chance to ride anywhere OC Bus travels at no cost. It’s estimated that 1.7 million trips will be taken annually using that pass.
For the Youth Ride Free program, OCTA is working with Caltrans and California Air Resources Board to continue to use Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) funds. That funding is made possible by the California Climate Investments program, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.
For additional information on OC Bus and specific routes, visit ocbus.com.
To purchase discounted passes, visit octa.net/valuepass.
