Passengers will be able to take advantage of free OC Bus and Metrolink rides for Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22
ORANGE – People looking to do their part on Earth Day to honor our planet should consider riding the bus – and they can do it for free.
The Orange County Transportation Authority will offer free rides on OC Bus, on Earth Day (Tuesday, April 22). No pass will be needed to hop aboard any regular bus route at any time that day.
OC Bus is always a safe and convenient way to get to work, to school, to the beach or to just about any destination in Orange County. On Earth Day, OCTA is making it free for everyone, with the hope that will attract more riders on that day and every day.
When more people ride the bus, it eases traffic congestion and helps Orange County’s air quality in the process. Choosing to take public transportation instead of driving helps reduce pollution because the OC Bus fleet runs on clean, renewable energy, including compressed natural gas and zero-emission hydrogen fuel-cell electric and plug-in battery electric buses.
OCTA’s commitment to environmental sustainability and stewardship goes beyond Earth Day and is prioritized in OCTA’s Board and CEO Initiatives. In another effort, OCTA’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements invests in Orange County’s natural resources by funding projects that capture transportation-related pollution and improve water quality.
At the same time, OCTA is working to convert its entire bus fleet to 100% zero-emission by 2040, as required by the state. OCTA introduced 10 hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses into its regular fleet in 2020 and has begun operating plug-in battery electric buses. In November 2024, the OCTA Board approved the purchase of 50 more zero-emission buses.
The pilot programs are helping the agency determine which technology, or mix of technologies, will perform best on Orange County streets, ensuring the highest level of service.
Those looking to travel across Orange County and beyond on Earth Day can also take advantage of free rides being offered by Metrolink trains. No ticket is required on the Metrolink system on Earth Day either.
To plan a trip and learn more about OCTA’s commitment to sustainability, as well as more about some Earth Day events around the county, visit OCBus.com/EarthDay.
