Wave Registration Required for Youth Ride Free by September 30
Students are heading back to school and now is a good time for parents to make sure their kids and teens will keep their free OC Bus rides active.
Parents and guardians of riders ages 6 to 18 must register a Wave card for Youth Ride Free by Sept. 30, 2026. This will keep the Youth Ride Free benefit active. Without approval, the Wave card will be charged the regular fare.
Please complete the registration process as soon as possible online or in-person at the OCTA Store to avoid any interruption in free rides. Don’t have a Wave card yet? Request one as part of the application process. Once approved, Youth Ride Free eligibility is valid for two years before renewal is required.
With more than 50 OC Bus routes and 5,000 bus stops, Youth Ride Free helps young riders get to school, jobs, activities and more throughout Orange County.
Need Help with Registration?
Join us at the Wave Open House on Thursday, Sept.10, 2026 from 2:30 pm. to 4:30 pm at OCTA Headquarters, 550 S. Main Street, Orange. Students and their parents/guardians must attend. Bring a copy of your eligibility documents. Here is what you’ll need.
Help Shape the Future of Orange County Transportation
With your help, OCTA is planning the future of transportation in Orange County. The Long-Range Transportation Plan will guide transportation investments across the county for the next 20 years and beyond, including improvements to bus and rail transit, streets and highways, biking and walking, and other ways to get around.
There are several ways to get involved:
Online Survey Take the survey by Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, for a chance to win one of four $50 gift cards! No purchase or payment is necessary.
Online Community Meeting Register to join a virtual meeting held via Zoom on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, at 6 p.m. Register today!
Follow & Comment Sign up for meeting reminders and opportunities to comment on the draft plan.
OC Bus Service Change Features Reliability and Connectivity
Recent adjustments went into place for OC Bus to improve reliability and connections for riders. Changes include:
Route 30: New routing to Los Cerritos Center, improving connections between Orange and Los Angeles counties.
Route 57: Additional service provided to Cal State Fullerton as students return for fall classes.
Route 64: New routing serving the Goldenwest Transportation Center.
Route 86: New service to Families Forward in Irvine.
Minor schedule adjustments have been made throughout the OC Bus system to better reflect travel times and improve on-time performance.
Looking for a new lunch spot? During National Sandwich Month in August, hop aboard OC Bus or Metrolink and discover some of Orange County’s popular sandwich shops. We’ve put together some fun trip ideas that start with a great lunch.
Before you head out, use the Transit app or OCTA's Trip Planner to find the best route, check real-time arrivals and plan your trip. Transit make it easy to enjoy Orange County one stop at a time.
Old Towne Orange Take Metrolink to the Orange Station, then take a short walk to Bagel Me! for a chicken, bacon, and ranch bagel sandwich. After lunch, spend time exploring the historic Orange Circle, known for its antique stores, unique boutiques, local cafés and beautiful historic architecture. Chapman University is also just a short stroll away.
Downtown Santa Ana From the Santa Ana Metrolink Station, ride OC Bus Route 862 free with your train ticket to The Deli Station. Try the popular French Toast Sandwich or the BBQ Brisket and Sausage Sandwich! Afterward, wander through the Artists Village, browse local galleries and shops, or visit the popular Fourth Street Market, all within easy walking distance.
Downtown Fullerton Take Metrolink to the Fullerton Transportation Center, then walk to Roscoe's Famous Deli and try their signature SoCo Sandwich with slow-cooked corned beef and pastrami. Downtown Fullerton's vibrant mix of local shops, restaurants and public art are not far from there.
Huntington Beach Ride OC Bus Route 70 to DeSimone Deli & Bakery for their wildly popular Cuban sandwich. Then spend time at nearby Huntington Central Park, visit the Shipley Nature Center or continue your adventure with a quick bus ride to the Huntington Beach Pier.
Costa Mesa Take OC Bus Route 47 to Lil' Pickle for the fan-favorite Lil’ Pickle Sub with classic Italian deli meats on a steamed roll. From there, it's easy to explore The CAMP and The LAB Anti-Mall, two of Orange County's unique shopping and dining destinations, featuring local retailers, art and outdoor gathering spaces.
Ride Metrolink to the Orange International Street Fair
Metrolink makes getting there easy – arrive a short walk from the fair and skip the hassle of finding a parking spot.
On the weekend, the Metrolink’s Weekend Day Pass offers unlimited rides for just $10—and kids 17 and under ride free.
As summer winds down, make sure you enter for a chance to win a $100 gift card through our Metrolink Summer Weekends sweepstakes. No purchase necessary.
Labor Day Schedules
This year, Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, Sept. 7. Please note the following schedule changes:
