OC Bus Service Resumes

The Orange County Transportations Authority announced bus service in Orange County has resumed and passengers are advised they can expect some service delays following a four-day strike of maintenance employees, according to the agency's news release.

While a deal has yet to be reached, labor negotiations are ongoing between OCTA and the union representing OCTA’s 150 maintenance workers. The union agreed to resume meetings with OCTA, with talks occurring over the weekend and continuing.

The union ended its picket lines around 4 p.m. Sunday, but union leaders have also said they could call a strike again at any time, which would further disrupt bus service for the more than 100,000 daily riders in Orange County. 

OCTA said it remains committed to reaching a resolution through negotiations noting a strike is unnecessary and unfairly burdens bus passengers. 

“We hope that there will be no further disruption in service and that we can work this out without affecting the people that count on OC Bus to get to work, school, and other important destinations,” said Mark A. Murphy, OCTA chairman.

Approximately 85% of riders use OC Bus as their primary means of transportation and more than half of riders have a total household income of less than $50,000, according to OCTA.

OCTA has met with the union more than 25 times, including mediated sessions, to negotiate a new contract. The existing contract expired Sept. 30.