With the pop of confetti-filled champagne bottles, the OCTA Board of Directors welcomed two brightly colored shuttle vans on Oct. 8 that will begin serving parts of Orange County later this month as part of the OC Flex microtransit pilot program.
Unlimited rides in two zones – one in Huntington Beach/Westminster, the other in Aliso Viejo/Laguna Niguel/and Mission Viejo – will cost $5 or less per day for on-demand service to restaurants, schools, medical appointments or wherever customers want to go. There are no surge charges so the price for the shared service remains the same all day.
“Within each zone, OC Flex gives customers the flexibility to go where they want, when they want,” said Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett, also the Fifth District supervisor. “In providing this microtransit service, OCTA is once again matching service to demand to give the people of Orange County an alternative transportation solution that meets the needs of today’s riders.”
OC Flex will begin service seven days a week on Oct. 15 in the Huntington Beach/Westminster zone and on Oct. 20 in the Aliso Viejo/Laguna Niguel/and Mission Viejo zone.
Vehicles are operated by professional drivers who undergo background checks and extensive safety training.
The service during the pilot program is primarily funded with a grant from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee, which supports projects that take cars off the road and reduce air pollution.
Learn more at www.ocflex.com.