ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, who serves on the OC Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors, commented on yesterday’s Board meeting where the Board approved the purchase of 40 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Buses, the expansion of the Bravo!/Rapid Bus Services and the Youth Ride Free Program, the replacement of OC ACCESS and OC Flex gas powered vehicles, and the purchase of driver protection systems for operators.
Supervisor Foley released the following statements highlighting the votes by the OCTA Board of Directors from the April 22, 2024 meeting:
Item 8: Low Carbon Transit Operations Program Recommendations for OC Bus Transit Projects: The Board approved the purchase of 40 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Buses Project and expansion of the Bravo!/Rapid Bus Services and the Youth Ride Free Program through the State’s Low Carbon Transit Operations Program.
“Expanding access to public transportation, greenifying our fleet, and decreasing car dependence is a critical step to decrease our greenhouse gas emissions,” said Supervisor Foley. “By utilizing state funding to purchase a portion of our zero-emission bus fleet and reappropriating last year’s funding and interest to expand rapid bus service and free rides for OC’s youth, OCTA continues to creatively stretch our tax dollars to achieve our ambitious climate goals.”
Item 13: Purchase Gasoline Powered Vehicles for OC ACCESS and OC Flex Services: The Board approved the replacement up to 121 gas powered vehicles utilized by OC ACCESS and OC Flex services. OCTA staff justified this decision by stating that the marketplace for the specific type of electric vehicles needed could not meet the urgent demand to replace vehicles nearing the end of their useful life.
“It’s disconcerting that on Earth Day 2024 we are unable to fully replace our fleet with zero-emission vehicles. We must do more to prepare for zero emission public transportation options,” said Supervisor Foley. “With unprecedented funding available for the decarbonization of government fleets, our private sector partners must do more to create the zero-emission vehicle supply for our transportation agencies and municipalities.”
Item 14: Retrofit Buses with Driver Protection System: The Board approved the purchase of up to 204 driver protection systems for fixed-route buses to ensure safety of our coach operators. Since the Board approved the driver barrier pilot program in 2019, driver safety increased and incident reports decreased. Since 2020, OCTA has 221 buses equipped with driver safety barriers and 50 of our future zero emission buses will be outfitted with the protection systems.
“Everyone should feel safe and secure while at work. By installing driver protection systems, OCTA ensures our critically important coach operators remain safe while performing their essential duties that keep our transportation network flowing smoothly and safely,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley.
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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Supervisor Foley’s Board appointments include the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), Chair – OCFA Legislation & Public Affairs Committee, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), Vice Chair – OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee, Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), TCA Joint Capital Improvements and Projects Committee, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Ocean Institute, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel, Co-Chair – Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition, Chair – Orange County Housing Finance Trust, and the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
