OC Fair Express receives wide success during its first two weekends in operation
July 29, 2011
ORANGE – CRecord numbers of riders hopped on the Orange County Transportation Authority’s OC Fair Express during the first two weekends of the special bus service to the fair.
The OC Fair Express provides non-stop direct service from six park and ride lots to the OC Fair through Aug. 14. Buses run hourly between 3 p.m. and midnight on Fridays and 10 a.m. and midnight on Saturdays and Sundays.
In 2008, which was the last year OCTA offered a direct service to the fair, ridership totaled 6,161 during the course of the entire OC Fair season. This year, that number was eclipsed with 3,083 riders during the first weekend and 4,722 riders the second weekend in operation.
“With nearly 8,000 passengers to date, the OC Fair Express has proven to be exceptionally popular this year and I would encourage everyone to give it a try,” said OCTA Chair Patricia Bates, also the Fifth District Supervisor. “It’s great to see so many people taking advantage of this hassle-free and affordable way to get to and from the fair.”
Riders can board the OC Express for a regular one-way fare of $1.50, where passengers also will receive a coupon good for $2 admission to the fair. That means for just $5, the public can get to and from the fair by avoiding regular admissions and parking fees.
The OC Fair Express was made possible this year in part by a $211,000 grant provided by the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee, or MSRC. MSRC provides subsidies for cleaner transportation alternatives. In addition to the OC Fair Express, MSRC has also provided grant money for the Angels Express, which is a direct Metrolink service to Angels baseball games in Anaheim.
Riders can catch the OC Fair Express service at the Fullerton Park and Ride, Santa Ana Depot, Golden West Transportation Center in Huntington Beach, Anaheim Canyon Metrolink station, Tustin/Lincoln Park and Ride and Junipero Serra Park and Ride in San Juan Capistrano. All prepaid OCTA passes and exact cash payments will be accepted.
For more information about the OC Fair Express, visit www.octa.net/ocfairexpress.
