ORANGE – Tens of thousands of people chose to skip the traffic and parking hassles, and saved money in the process, by hopping aboard the OC Fair Express this summer.
In all, nearly 80,000 people took the non-stop bus service to the OC Fair during the five weekends of the fair’s run, which wrapped up Aug. 12.
“It’s encouraging to see so many people choosing to use the express bus service, resulting in thousands of cars being taken off local roads,” said OCTA Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett, also the county’s Fifth District Supervisor. “Every person who took the OC Fair Express helped improve overall traffic conditions and reduced air pollution in the process.”
The OC Fair Express operated from 10 a.m. to midnight each Saturday and Sunday during the fair, picking up fair-goers from nine locations across Orange County and dropping them off just feet from the fair’s entrance.
Bus riders used the service to get to the OC Fair’s wide range of entertainment choices, including rides, games, food and weekend concerts that included comedian Trevor Noah and classic-rock icons Steve Miller and Peter Frampton, to name a few.
Four of the OC Fair Express pickup locations connected directly from Metrolink and Amtrak passenger rail stations. Riders used their valid Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner passes from connecting trains to ride the bus service for free.
Riders also saved money. Regular bus fare was $4 round trip and riders received a coupon for $4 admission to the OC Fair – a savings of up to $10 off the regular entrance price. Bus riders also saved on the regular $10 cost to park a car.
Riders of the OC Fair Express ages 60 and over and those with disabilities rode for just 75 cents each way, and children 5 years and younger rode for free when accompanied by an adult.
The OC Fair Express service has been transporting passengers directly to the OC Fair every year since 2011. The service is funded in part by a grant from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee. The committee provides subsidies for cleaner transportation alternatives.
Look for the OC Fair Express again when the fair returns next July. For more information: www.ocfairexpress.com.
