OCTA works with cities to distribute transit funds from Measure M, the local half-cent sales tax for transportation, to keep people moving efficiently locally and regionally
ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority has allocated up to $42.4 million to support community-based transit programs throughout the county, providing communities with the transit service that best meet their local needs.
The OCTA funding, provided through the voter-approved Measure M half-cent sales tax for transportation, helps cities and the county move residents and visitors safely and efficiently with popular and flexible programs.
“Our primary mission at OCTA is to keep Orange County moving, and this is another great example of working with cities to best meet their needs and help make public transit an attractive option for people to get where they need to be,” said OCTA Chair Tam T. Nguyen. “With this effort, we are enhancing accessibility and improving connectivity throughout Orange County.”
In recent years, OCTA has focused on reshaping the transit system, recognizing that there are different solutions to meet the diverse travel needs of residents and visitors. Traditional bus service has been increased in areas with higher ridership and OCTA has worked with cities to find the best solutions in areas of the county where there is less demand. With 25% of funding from Measure M set aside for transit, the goal of this ongoing effort is to find the most efficient way to move people in every community.
In the last fiscal year, more than 712,000 boardings were recorded on these shuttles and community transit services. Overall, there have been more than 4.6 million boardings, helping move people on public transit while reducing roadway congestion.
2024 Transit Circulator Funding Awards
| AGENCY | PROJECT | TOTAL M2 GRANT |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | Anaheim Canyon Circulator | $331,714 |
| County of Orange | Expanded Ranchride Transit Service Program | $1,219,784 |
| Dana Point | Dana Point Trolley Continuity Program | $2,702,000 |
| Irvine | Irvine Special Event Circulator | $4,471,421 |
| Laguna Beach | Off-season Weekend and Seasonal Services | $5,212,250 |
| Laguna Beach | Laguna Canyon Road/El Toro Road Laguna Local Service | $2,024,489 |
| Laguna Niguel | Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley Program | $3,455,785 |
| Los Alamitos | Los Alamitos On-demand Service | $1,930,472 |
| Mission Viejo | Mission Viejo Circulator and Special Event | $1,423,545 |
| Newport Beach | Balboa Peninsula Trolley Service Continuation | $2,574,720 |
| San Clemente | Trolley Program | $8,235,081 |
| San Clemente | On-demand Transit Programs | $3,264,428 |
| San Juan Capistrano | Expanded Summer Weekend and Special Event Trolley Service | $2,526,012 |
| TOTAL | $42,371,701 |
The cities and the county applied for the funding on a competitive basis and each has committed to providing at least 10% in matching funds. OCTA’s Board of Directors approved the funding recommendations at the Sept. 23 meeting, which results in:
- The continuation of 11 existing community-circulator services extended to June 2031, including several serving seasonal and special events
- The expansion of four services, including in the cities of Laguna Beach, San Clemente and the County of Orange
- The implementation of eight new services throughout the county, including in Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, San Clemente, and San Juan Capistrano, for special events and for seasonal and on-demand service.
These services work alongside regional bus and rail service and help fill gaps in some areas – part of OCTA’s ongoing effort to maximize available resources.
For more information, visit www.octa.net.
