ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority board of directors this week approved more than $26.7 million to help Orange County cities provide community-based transit circulators to better serve their specific public transit needs.
The money is being provided through Measure M, the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements. When Measure M was renewed by voters in 2006, it included a funding program for cities to develop and implement shuttles and bus trolleys.
The shuttles and trolleys, smaller than a typical OCTA bus, are intended to connect riders to major civic, employment and shopping destinations, as well as major transportation centers, to meet local needs that would complement OCTA bus service.
The funding also will help support seasonal and special event services, pay for associated bus-stop improvements and maintenance facilities, and go toward the purchase or lease of buses/trolleys for each program.
“This is another excellent example of how Measure M helps meet the needs of Orange County residents at the local level,” said OCTA Chair Lori Donchak. “Cities across the county have come forward with innovative projects to significantly enhance transportation options specific to their community, and OCTA is pleased to help. Improving local mobility is a key promise of Measure M.”
Cities receiving funding include:
- Anaheim (ARTIC/Center circulator): $1.1 million
- Costa Mesa (Circulator to Anaheim): $2.8 million
- Dana Point (Dana Point PCH Trolley): $905,968
- Huntington Beach (Seasonal Local Transit Circulator): $917,770
- Irvine (iShuttle – Tustin to Irvine Business Center): $2.7 million
- Irvine (iShuttle – Irvine Station – East): $2.7 million
- Laguna Beach (Residential Trolley Service): $2 million
- La Habra (Special Events Shuttle): $96,810
- Lake Forest (Shuttle from train station to Panasonic): $1.2 million
- Lake Forest (Shuttle from train station to Oakley): $303,240
- Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo Local Transit Circulator): $3.3 million
- Newport Beach (Balboa Peninsula Trolley): $685,454
- Orange County (Orange County Ranch Ride) $2 million
- San Clemente (Summer Trolley): $1.2 million
- San Clemente (San Clemente Ridershare Services): $914,400
- San Juan Capistrano (Summer Trolley Service): $95,486
- Westminster (Little Saigon Local Circulator) $3.7 million
Several cities also received funds totaling $323,780 to perform planning studies to better determine ridership demand for community-based shuttles. They included:
- Fountain Valley: $45,000
- Garden Grove: $49,280
- Laguna Niguel: $49,500
- Mission Viejo: $45,000
- Placentia: $45,000
- Rancho Santa Margarita: $45,000
- Tustin: $45,000
In all, OCTA received 17 applications from 14 different cities and the county. OCTA staff will continue to work with the cities and county to draft cooperative agreements for the projects. Some service is expected to be implemented by October.
The funding is for a seven-year period. Each city and the county will be required to provide at least a 10 percent funding match and must meet minimum ridership targets – monitored quarterly – to continue receiving funding.
In addition to fulfilling the Measure M promise to improve transit, these projects fit into OC Bus 360°, OCTA’s ongoing effort to create better and more efficient bus service countywide.
Attached:
Please see attachment for more detail about planned projects.
