Last week, I met with students from Gilbert High School over concerns about the OCTA bus #46 schedule for their stop at Ball Road and Euclid. At the forum we addressed student rider concerns and announced a temporary service change to OCTA Bus Route #46 for their stop. 

The decision to change the service of Bus Route 46 was taken in consideration after 45 Gilbert High School students sent an email petition in December of 2023 and advocated for the change in arrival time. Gilbert High School dismissed students at 2:22 p.m. and Bus Route 46 arrived at 2:19 p.m., which caused student riders to wait an additional 30-to-40 minutes for the next bus to arrive. At the civic engagement forum, students expressed how the Bus Route 46 schedule caused negative impacts such as being late to work and extracurricular activities after school.

I want to thank Chief Operating Officer, Johnny Dunning Jr., and the staff at OCTA for listening to the students concerns and making adjustments to the bus schedule, so students can arrive home timely.

$10 Weekend Day Pass

This pass allows unlimited system-wide travel on either Saturday or Sunday. It can be purchased at Metrolink station ticket machines or via the Metrolink mobile app on the day of travel. Monthly pass holders can ride free on weekends.

To learn more, please visit metrolinktrains.com/weekends.

Kids Ride Free

Every weekend, up to three children ages 17 and under can travel anywhere on the Metrolink system with a paying adult.

To learn more, please visit metrolinktrains.com/kidsridefree.

Mobility-4-All Program

The Mobility-4-All program is an initiative providing a 50% discount on all Metrolink tickets and passes for riders with a valid California Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. No additional application is necessary beyond possessing the EBT card. The discount is available for paper tickets bought from a Metrolink ticket machine located at stations.

To learn more, please visit metrolinktrains.com/mobility4all.

Student Adventure Pass

Students and riders ages 6-18 can take a free train ride with Metrolink’s new Student Adventure Pass Program! This pilot program allows any student with valid school identification to obtain a pass at no charge and ride anywhere on the Metrolink system for free.

To take advantage of the program, students can download the Metrolink mobile app, register using their school email address, and verify their account to automatically receive the Student Adventure Pass in their mobile ticket wallet. Alternatively, students can obtain a free Student Adventure Pass at any Metrolink ticket machine.

Students must have valid student identification and be able to present it upon request during fare inspection to utilize the Student Adventure Pass.

For more information about how to obtain a free Student Adventure Pass, please visit metrolinktrains.com/students.

Senior/Disabled/Medicare

Riders who are seniors (age 65 or older), have  disabilities, or qualify for Medicare are eligible for Metrolink discounts.

Metrolink provides a 25% discount on Monthly and 7-day Passes. Additionally, there's a 50% discount on One-Way, Round-Trip tickets, 5-day Flex Pass, and 10-day Flex Pass. 

Seniors qualify for discount if age is 65 or over.

Disabled or Medicare discount applies if you have the following identification:

To be eligible for discount, please present photo ID with date of birth or proof of eligibility, e.g., Medicare ID card or DMV Disabled Person Placard Receipt, to the fare inspector upon request.

Children

Kids aged 5 and under ride free with an adult using a valid ticket – each additional child pays youth fare.

Youth Ride Free Pass

The pass provides youth ages 6-18 with free travel on OC Bus fixed-route service. OCTA partners with K-12 schools and parents to deliver the Youth Ride Free Pass, available with a parental request form. If a child’s school is not listed, parents may request a pass at the webpage below.

Youth 5 and under can also ride OC Bus for free without a special pass with an accompanying adult.

https://www.octa.net/getting-around/bus/oc-bus/fares-and-passes/overview/youth-ride-free/

College Pass 

All college students in OC can ride OC Bus free.

https://www.octa.net/getting-around/bus/oc-bus/fares-and-passes/overview/community-college-pass/ 

Free Bus Ride Days*

• Transit Equity Day – February 4
• Earth Day – April 22
• California Clean Air Day – October 2
• NYE Free Rides – Partial Day December 31 – January 1

*Subject to annual changes, please check octa.net for important updates. 

Senior and Disabled Persons Passes

OCTA provides reduced fares valid for person 60 and older, person with disabilities and Medicare cardholders.

https://www.octa.net/getting-around/bus/oc-bus/fares-and-passes/overview/senior-disabled-fares/

OC ACCESS Service

This shared-ride service is available to qualified applicants whose physical or cognitive limitations prevent them from utilizing the regular OC Bus fixed-route service. Personal care attendants may accompany qualified riders for free.

https://www.octa.net/getting-around/bus/oc-access/overview/%20

How to Ride the Bus

Riding the bus for the first time can feel intimidating, but OCTA has provided a step-by-step guide for getting to destinations with ease and confidence. 

https://www.octa.net/getting-around/bus/oc-bus/how-to-ride/overview/ 

Transit Training 

Free in-person training for groups and individuals who want to develop confident bus-riding skills. In addition to English, upon request training available in Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean and Mandarin.

https://octa.net/getting-around/bus/oc-bus/how-to-ride/transit-training/

Veterans Discount

Vehicles registered to an active FasTrak account and displaying a qualifying California veteran license plate drive toll-free on The Toll Roads and certain other toll facilities in California.

For more information visit: thetollroads.com/help/military.

Frequent Driver Discount

Drivers with a prepaid FasTrak account are eligible for a monthly frequent driver discount. Drivers who spend $40 in tolls on The Tolls Roads during a statement period receive $1 off every toll accumulated on The Toll Roads the following statement period.

Fossils in your Backyard

Fossils in Your Backyard is an interactive educational program designed for students in grades 2 through 7. Currently underway for the 23/24 school year. Interested teachers/administrators can visit The Toll Roads website to complete an interest form.

See more information here: www.thetollroads.com/news/educational-resources/fossils-in-your-backyard.

Spring Tours 2024

Spring Tours are coming soon. Participants will experience the natural beauty of Orange County on guided walks through land set aside and protected with the construction of The Tolls Roads.

Please visit The Toll Roads website for upcoming dates.

Photo courtesy of the Transportation Corridor Agencies