Now in its 56th year, Earth Day serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard the environment and our future.
On Wednesday, April 22, OCTA will offer free OC Bus rides on all its nearly 60 fixed routes.
Choosing public transportation instead of driving helps reduce pollution and takes cars off the road. The OC Bus fleet runs on clean, renewable energy, including compressed natural gas and zero-emission hydrogen fuel-cell electric and plug-in battery electric buses.
Riding transit can also help save money. Gas, parking, and daily commuting expenses can add up quickly. OCTA’s new online Commute Calculator makes it easy to compare the cost of driving alone versus riding OC Bus to see how much can be saved annually.
OCTA’s commitment to environmental sustainability extends well beyond Earth Day and is a priority in the agency’s Board and CEO Initiatives. Through Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, OCTA helps protect natural resources through environmental mitigation and cleanup programs.
OCTA is working toward a 100% zero-emission future with its bus fleet by 2040. OCTA introduced 10 hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses into its regular fleet in 2020 and has begun testing plug-in battery electric buses. The pilot programs are helping determine which technology, or mix of technologies, will perform best on Orange County streets.