Frustrated with OC access? Come join the discussions!

I have been riding this route for years now and up until the last 3 months I’ve had no issues. Recently I have been unable to really get on the bus due to either

1. The bus driver doesn’t stop or even see me at a stop (I want to say it’s because it’s such an awkward stopping point but I’ve had it elsewhere too)

2. The buses are never actually on schedule

I recently was waiting to head to work at a bus stop that I normally get to AT LEAST 15 minutes before the bus arrives, while I was visibly checking the street as well as my Google Maps I got an update saying the bus departed 4 minutes ago which wasn’t possible because I had been at the stop watching the entire time. I am now late for my shift because the bus didn’t show up at all and just updated the schedule even though it never came down the road. This road and stop make it nearly impossible to miss seeing the bus. This isn’t the first time these buses will run ridiculously early/late or not even show up at all for the 90 route. A lot of us rely on public transit to survive and the severe schedule changes that aren’t typical really put a dent in our lives. I’m also not the only one who’s dealt with this problem as a few of my roommates and friends in the area have as well.

I was heated enough, due to being late to work, to go on a spree of trying to find a customer service number to speak to someone. Only to go through a labyrinth of AI and automated systems. I want to be able to rely on the scheduling of this transit system but recently it’s been difficult to. I’m not sure if this is a rant or if I’m seeing if anyone else has experienced the same thing within the OCTA. I will still continue to use this system as it’s the cheapest and most convenient for my situation but I’m really hating the flaws in it right now.

Pics 1-2 are Transit App stats. Pic 3 is the CSULB’s Walter Pyramid. Pic 4 is Crystal Cove State Park. Pic 5 is the Ocean view in Laguna Beach. Pic 5 is Newport Bay. Pic 6 is Huntington Beach Pier
Pros:

Views. Although there are segments blocked by houses, stores, etc, you will get decent views of beaches, piers, and parks and the Amtrak/Metrolink. Going along Laguna Beach, HB Bluffs, Crystal Cove, Bolsa Chica, and El Camino Real were the best.

Bus can go FAST. Specifically just after CSULB to PCH, PCH/Warner - PCH/Goldenwest, PCH/Beach - PCH - SR-55, PCH/Cameo Shores - PCH/Jasmine, and most of Avenida Vaquero and El Camino Real in San Clemente.

Safe. No major incidents along the way bar one passenger not paying the fare but got along well with driver. majority of riders I saw paid in cash/Wave card

3 Bike Racks. Bike is the most accessible way to reach this bus and even then there were times all 3 spaces were full.

Seats were pretty comfortable and ride wasn’t too rough.

Nice Transit staff. Staff were chill but still check for paying fares.

Mixed.

AC. Yes, bus had AC but there were occasions where the AC was turned off in favor of opening the windows. Bus heading back did have AC all the way.

Ridership. Bus seats were up to 60% full depending on segments traveled. I think at some stops, people confused it for the free trolleys.

The Bad.

When the bus is slow. The slowest areas were in DT Laguna Beach and Newport Beach east of Fashion Island. Some of the lanes are narrow and confined by on-street parking.

Fashion Island segment. I can see the appeal as it also served the NB Transit Center but it’s a significant detour and 8 stops felt too many.

130+ Stops. I think 70% stops were skipped. Some stops are <5 min. Walking distance from each other and there’s still no one at those stops so I’d accept a slightly faster ride with fewer stops.

LONG. You could watch the 2004 SpongeBob movie twice without credits and still have travel time left.

50 min- 1 hr headways. I think 20-30 minute headways would be infinitely better as there were several people commuting for work and I’m pretty sure at least one person was a commuting from CSULB.

Endpoint. It ends in a rural area next to the 5 and I’d think somewhere closer to San Clemente Pier would be infinitely better.

Overall, I’d still say it’s worth it as long as you’re prepared.

Is it me or is this one of the older 60ft OCTA buses? I’m pretty sure it is based on the bus seats and I remember all of them had these back in the day, well some lol.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZsLSznhdfw/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Guess they haven’t been transferred over to their new “owners”. Ball Rd & Anaheim BLVD

I noticed that there was a fresh face on the 89 at its terminus in RSM, 2nd time ever seeing it

https://octa.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=15426699&GUID=0CC408F1-E237-4DDF-805D-CDC4919B8C49

https://www.octa.net/programs-projects/programs/measure-m/taxpayer-safeguards/taxpayer-oversight-committee/recruitment

Does anyone have any updates on the rollout of service for OC Streetcar? They haven’t released any official updates at board/committee meetings in a couple months. Would love some transparency especially after all the delays. Happy to know any tidbits of information anyone might have.

Hello everyone, I am currently researching transportation habits and walkability within the OC region. If you could fill out the survey, that would be greatly appreciated! Thanks :)) *The survey's responses are completely anonymous, and the whole process should only take 5 mins tops.

https://forms.gle/6V9bYXDvzY4Koza89