Post By: Balam Benitez-Mata, Peer Mentor 2022
Public transportation is always the cheapest way to move around in a city, and this is not the exception for the City of Irvine and Orange County (OC). Although compared to other big cities, the offer is not that broad, OC still has a decent and well-equipped public transportation system.
To travel within OC, the cheapest option is the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA, https://www.octa.net ), you can always opt to use Uber, or Lyft but these options tend to be more expensive.
OCTA is the public bus service that operates in all OC cities. There are a wide variety of routes connecting many locations but be advised not all routes operate 24/7. You can check bus schedules and routes using the Google Maps app by setting to travel using transit or reviewing the OCTA website (https://www.octa.net/Bus/Routes-and-Schedules/Overview/).
You can pay for single rides and a One-Day Pass when boarding the bus, pre-paid options have to be bought either online or at designated locations. Be mindful that OC Bus fare boxes accept all coins (except pennies) and bills $10 and under. Bring exact fare when boarding, fare boxes do not return change. Unfortunately, single ride tickets cannot be used for transferring between routes, so make sure to bring enough cash or buy enough single rides if you take more than 2 buses during your day, or get the One Day Pass instead.
A convenient way to buy and schedule rides is using the OC Bus App (https://www.octa.net/Bus/Fares-and-Passes/Mobile-App/ ), it has a simple and very intuitive design.
All buses have bike racks at the bus front in case you want to hop on your bike for a long ride, they have A/C, security cameras, ramps for wheelchairs, and designated spaces for elders, pregnant individuals, and with access needs.
There are multiple bus stops around campus, but not all of them serve the same bus routes, so be mindful when planning your trip, you might have to walk some distance before reaching the designated bus stop.
PRO Tips:
- Be at the bus stop a couple of minutes before schedule, bus drivers usually never wait for people
- Get your tickets on the App for a quick and easy way to store them
- Buy multiple pre-paid tickets to avoid handling cash and for fast boarding
- Check for the OCTA University Pass at the UCI Transportation and Distribution Services (https://parking.uci.edu), sometimes they have juicy offers for bus riders
- Always plan for your trip back home, not all routes provide service 24/7
Summary
Check your route and the fare on the OCTA App on your phone. Buy a pre-paid ticket for faster and easier boarding. If you bring your bike, make sure to correctly secure it to the front rack of the bus. Hop on and pick your favorite seat to enjoy the OC city landscape. Don’t forget to pull the cord to request a stop, the driver won’t stop otherwise. Make sure your route is available at the time you are planning to head back to your destination.
Enjoy your ride!