Summer fun is easy with the OC Fair Express, back for five weeks of Friday-through- Sunday transportation to the OC Fair. The non-stop bus to the non-stop party kicked off service on July 17 with help from OCTA and about 100 fans.
Held at Irvine Station, the celebration began with remarks from OCTA officials including Chairman and Irvine Mayor Pro Tem, Jeff Lalloway, Director and Huntington Beach Mayor Pro Tem, Jim Katapodis, Director Greg Winterbottom, and CEO Darrell Johnson.
Attendees enjoyed face painting and photo booth fun, and received special goodie bags. The first 100 people received free rides on the OC Fair Express and backpacks containing a visor, sunscreen, and water bottle.
OCTA has added features to the bus service including an additional stop and more frequent service. This year, fair-goers can enjoy non-stop rides from nine locations with service every 20, 30, or 40 minutes. In addition, the free OC Fair Mobile App is back for its second year of providing bus pass purchases, bus schedules, and maps from the convenience of a smartphone.
Despite unseasonable weather that closed the fair early on Saturday, the OC Fair Express had more than 7,300 boardings in its first weekend in operation.
Paid for by a grant from Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC), the OC Fair Express allows riders to get to the fair without spending time looking for parking and helps alleviate traffic on busy streets around the fairgrounds.
