Ready to give your usual commute a change? During Rideshare Week, Oct. 5–9, pledge to take OC Bus, Metrolink, vanpool, bike, walk or carpool and use your chosen option at least once for a chance to win a Commuter Essentials Kit valued at more than $300, including AirPods and a Kindle. No purchase or payment is necessary.
OC Bus and Metrolink rides are free on Oct. 7 for Clean Air Day — and your free ride can count toward your Rideshare Week pledge.
Whether you’re heading to work, school, an appointment, shopping or somewhere fun, taking transit can help reduce cars on the road and improve air quality.
Plan your trip and see where a free ride can take you on Oct. 7.
Take Metrolink to the Festival of the Butterflies
Enjoy a day of fun in San Juan Capistrano! The Festival of the Butterflies returns to Los Rios Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, with butterfly tours, family-friendly activities, food and live music, all just a short walk from the Metrolink station.
Skip the traffic and parking and take Metrolink. The Metrolink Weekend Day Pass offers unlimited rides for just $10, and kids 17 and under ride free.
Enter the Metrolink Festival of the Butterflies Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $50 gift card. No purchase or payment is necessary.
OC Fair Express Carries Nearly 22,000 Fairgoers
Nearly 22,000 boardings were recorded on OC Fair Express this summer, as riders left the driving and parking behind and took the bus directly to the OC Fair.
The seasonal service connected riders from six locations across Orange County to the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa during five weekends from July 18 through Aug. 16.
Thanks to everyone who rode with us this summer!
Stay Safe Around Railroad Tracks
More than 110 freight and passenger trains travel through Orange County each day.
Here are some important safety tips:
Look and listen. Expect a train at any time and from either direction.
Put your phone down. Avoid texting, headphones and other distractions near tracks.
Stand back. At stations, stay behind the designated safety line.
Stay off the tracks. Cross only at designated rail crossings.
Wait for the all-clear. Never try to beat a train. Wait until gates are fully raised and lights stop flashing before crossing.
See something? Say something. Call or text Metrolink’s Security Operations Center at (866) 640-5190. For emergencies, call 911.
Service and therapy animals and their handlers will get a chance to practice riding OC Bus during OCTA’s Service Animal Training Day on Saturday, Oct. 3.
The free event gives animals real-world experience boarding, riding and exiting a bus while becoming familiar with the sights, sounds and movements of public transit.
Designated buses will operate continuously along a training route so participants can practice multiple times. The event is open to service and therapy animal trainers, program alumni, and their friends and families.
After approximately 23 years with OCTA, coach operator Richard Myris has found a new way to enjoy the career he loves: helping prepare the next generation of coach operators.
Before joining OCTA, Richard drove semi-trucks. Looking for an opportunity to try something new, he decided to become a coach operator and quickly discovered how much he enjoyed being on the road and interacting with the public.
Today, one of the most rewarding parts of his job is training new drivers and watching them develop their skills and confidence. “Seeing them grow and learn and understand the job is something that inspires me a lot,” Richard said.
Richard also knows that a coach operator can help set the tone for a passenger’s trip. He makes an effort to bring a positive attitude aboard every day. “If I’m happy, they’ll be happy,” he said. For Richard, being cheerful and welcoming is one more way to create an enjoyable experience for riders.
For those considering a career as a coach operator, Richard encourages them to take the first step and apply while recognizing the responsibility that comes with the job. “It’s not an easy job. It’s not for everyone,” he said. “If they’re inspired to be able to handle the tasks that are ahead of them, then I would encourage them to continue following their career here.”
If you’d like to be part of the OC Bus team, apply here.
