OCTA Environmental Leadership & Commitment
As the county transportation planning commission, OCTA partners with federal, state, regional and local agencies to develop, fund and implement consensus-driven transportation projects that span all modes of travel for Orange County's 34 cities and 3.2 million residents.
For years, the OCTA Board of Directors and CEO have provided the local and regional leadership needed to help assure a clean, green future for Orange County and the surrounding area. Since 2006, for example, OCTA decision-makers have permanently protected open space, preserved land for future generations, and protected beaches and ocean water from environmental pollution as promised by OC Go, also known as Measure M, the county's half-cent sales tax for transportation.
Environmental leadership milestones include:
- In the 2025 Board and CEO Strategic Initiatives and Action Plan, OCTA pledged to adapt to changes in the environment through enhanced resiliency initiatives and support thriving communities by advancing environmental stewardship and sustainability.
- OCTA approved the purchase of 50 new zero-emission buses, marking a major milestone in an ongoing effort to transition the bus fleet to 100% zero-emission technology by 2040. The purchase includes 40 hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses and 10 battery-electric buses, which will replace buses at the end of their useful lifespan that run on compressed natural gas.
- As part of its Zero-Emission Bus (ZEB) Pilot Program, OCTA began testing both fuel-cell and battery-electric buses in 2020 and 2022, respectively. These pilot programs, which test each technology in real-life conditions on Orange County streets, have allowed OCTA to gain valuable operational and technological experience, helping to determine the most effective technology – or mix of technologies – to meet the needs of OC Bus riders.
Additional Resources
As part of its ongoing effort to transition its bus fleet to 100% zero-emission technology by 2040, OCTA will purchase 40 hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses and 10 battery-electric buses, which will replace buses at the end of their useful lifespan that run on compressed natural gas.
Building on its long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, OCTA recently completed the Climate Adaptation and Sustainability Plan (CASP) to establish a framework aligned with statewide sustainability goals that addresses the impacts of climate change on the county’s transportation system.