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Budget delivers bus and rail service while making conservative projections to plan for the future

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors today approved a balanced budget of $1.76 billion for the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1.

The budget keeps essential transportation improvements moving forward while responsibly planning for a balanced and sustainable transportation future for Orange County.

The approved budget makes significant investments in public transit – totaling approximately 52% of the overall budget – and makes improvements to Orange County’s freeways and streets to keep the county moving safely and efficiently.

Overall, the fiscal year 2024-25 budget represents approximately a $58 million increase (about 3.4%) over the previous year’s budget. This mirrors a similar budget increase last year, which followed two years of budget cuts largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m proud to see OCTA deliver another balanced budget that will continue to enhance our transportation system, improving transit, freeways and local streets,” said OCTA Chair Tam T. Nguyen. “The hard work done by OCTA staff and our Board means that we can be responsible stewards of taxpayer money while continuing to improve quality of life for Orange County residents, workers and visitors.”

Other themes of the budget include:

• Planning responsibly and conservatively for the current economic climate, while maintaining strong reserve levels
• Ongoing investment in zero-emission buses and infrastructure to support the ongoing conversion to a full zero-emission fleet
• Stable operations of the newly opened 405 Express Lanes, performing as forecasted in its first six months, and of the 91 Express Lanes, which continues to perform well
• Delivering on the projects and programs promised through Measure M
• Continuing to fund Metrolink service and implementing the rail-service optimization model
• Advancing planning studies for solutions to protect the coastal rail line
• Making significant progress toward completion of the OC Streetcar project and beginning pre-revenue service.

Measure M – the voter-approved half-cent sales tax for transportation – will continue to fund improvements to freeways and streets throughout Orange County, in addition to multiple transit and environmental programs. Transportation funds are provided to cities through formula and competitive funding.

Major initiatives for the budget include advancing capital improvement projects on freeways, including I-5 in South County, SR-55, SR-57 and SR-91. The year ahead will also improve local streets and continue serving Orange County’s transit needs, while moving toward a goal of zero-emissions to help improve air quality for the entire community.

The FY 2024-25 budget encompasses all services, projects and programs that are administered by OCTA.

An 11-member independent oversight committee reviews how the funds are being spent to improve transportation in Orange County and found OCTA is delivering on promises for 33rd straight year

ORANGE – The Measure M Taxpayer Oversight Committee has determined for the 33rd consecutive year that the Measure M transportation investment plan is being delivered as promised to the voters of Orange County.

The Taxpayer Oversight Committee held its annual Measure M public hearing Tuesday, June 11, and found that the Orange County Transportation Authority is proceeding in accordance with the Measure M plan, which was renewed by 70% of voters in 2006.

“It’s important we have the members of this independent committee ensuring OCTA is investing taxpayer funds as intended to improve the way we all move throughout the county,” said OCTA Chair Tam T. Nguyen, also a public representative on the Board of Directors. “It’s reassuring that for the 33rd year in a row the committee has determined those funds are being properly used to improve quality of life in our county.”

The independent 11-member oversight committee was formed to monitor OCTA’s use of Measure M funding, approve all changes to the investment plan and hold annual public hearings on whether OCTA is proceeding in accordance with the plan.

Measure M will continue funding balanced and sustainable transportation improvements through 2041 with revenues expected to exceed $14 billion. The voter-approved funding plan allocates 43% to freeways, 32% to streets and roads, 25% to transit, and includes two environmental programs.

The goals of Measure M include:

• Relieving congestion
• Maintaining transportation infrastructure
• Supporting rail and community transit options
• Synchronize signals across cities and the county
• Reducing transit costs for seniors and people with disabilities
• Preserving and restoring natural habitat in perpetuity, and
• Reducing transportation-related pollution in Orange County.

The original Measure M made possible more than $4 billion worth of transportation improvements to help Orange County residents, workers and visitors travel more efficiently throughout all parts of the county.

For more information about Measure M or the Taxpayer Oversight Committee, visit www.octa.net/TOC.

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Chair Tam T. Nguyen and CEO Darrell E. Johnson unveil plan for OCTA to sustain and enhance a balanced, innovative transportation network for all Orange County

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority in 2024 will focus on continuing to build a transportation network that is balanced, equitable and reliable, is fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars, and protects the environment that makes Orange County such a special place to live.

Those guiding principles are part of the 2024 Board and CEO Strategic Initiatives and Action Plan, which was unveiled during this week’s Board meeting by OCTA Chair Tam T. Nguyen and by OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson.

Each year, the newly elected chair works with the CEO to formulate and present the document that guides the agency’s efforts throughout the coming year. The initiatives are then presented to the full 17-member board for a vote. The board unanimously approved this year’s initiatives. OCTA continues to prioritize safety, which has always guided all OCTA actions.

“OCTA has a strong history of working diligently on our promise to provide a reliable and equitable transportation network that has thrived even through challenging times and improved the quality of people’s lives,” Chair Nguyen said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to deliver on our transportation initiatives that will have a meaningful impact on the lives of Orange County’s residents, workers and visitors in the coming months and years.”

The overarching initiatives for OCTA in 2024 include:

• Providing the Public with a Balanced, Sustainable, and Equitable Transportation System
• Sustaining Organizational Excellence, Collaboration, and Diversity
• Safeguarding the Future through Fiscal Responsibility and Environmental Sustainability

“Each year, the initiatives and action plan ensure that OCTA Board members and staff are working in lock step to deliver on our promises to taxpayers and to continue delivering a balanced, innovative transportation system that evolves with changing needs to keep Orange County moving safely and efficiently,” CEO Johnson said.

To learn more about OCTA programs and projects, visit www.octa.net.