The 2019-20 fiscal year budget includes a focus on transit service and continued delivery of major capital projects to keep Orange County moving
ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors approved a balanced budget of more than $1.5 billion for the upcoming fiscal year during its Monday meeting.
Major initiatives for the budget include advancing capital improvement projects, including the I-405 Improvement Project, I-5 projects in South County and Central County, the OC Streetcar, enhancing transit service through the OC Bus 360° program and funding for cities to improve streets and roads.
“This year’s budget demonstrates OCTA’s continued commitment to fulfilling the promises made to voters who approved Measure M,” said OCTA Chairman Tim Shaw, also a La Habra Councilman. “The budget will fund work that will make a positive impact on everyone who lives, works or commutes in Orange County by investing in the county’s streets, freeways, transit services and active transportation programs.”
The FY 2019-20 budget encompasses all services, projects and programs that are administered by OCTA. The budget will go into effect July 1, reflecting a significant investment in capital projects.
Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, also known as OC Go, will continue to fund improvements to freeways and streets throughout the county, along with multiple transit programs. Included in the budget is $366.4 million to help fund freeway improvements, $159 million that will go to cities to improve Orange County’s roads and $48.5 million for the ongoing OC Streetcar construction.
Efforts to improve transit service will continue through OC Bus 360°, OCTA’s comprehensive effort aimed at reshaping transit service throughout the county. This will be the first full year that Bravo! 529, a limited-stop bus route on Beach Boulevard, will be in service, and the OC Flex microtransit pilot program will continue to operate in two areas of the county.
The FY 2019-20 balanced budget is a result of OCTA’s mission to deliver innovative, long-term sustainable transportation solutions for the residents of Orange County.
