Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Ken Phipps has worked at the agency for 19 years, serving as the executive director of Finance and Administration since 2009. He will help lead OCTA on local, state and national issues related to transportation programs and policies, and assist the CEO in coordinating business, operations and management activities among the agency’s divisions.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, administrative employees will contribute an average of 2% of their salaries to their pensions. That contribution will increase each year until employees are paying 100% of their employee share by Jan. 1, 2017. The plan will result in an $8.2 million savings to taxpayers over the three-year period.

Under the terms of the contract, will assume operations and maintenance of the ACCESS paratransit service on July 1, 2013 for a four-year base period with two, two-year renewal options.

Darrell Johnson, a 20-year veteran of the transportation industry, is responsible for planning, financing and coordinating Orange County's freeway, street and rail development, as well as managing bus services, commuter-rail services and paratransit service.

Darrell Johnson will replace CEO Will Kempton, who announced his retirement effective Feb. 28, to become the executive director of Transportation California.

Has accepted the position of executive director for Transportation California and plans to leave the agency in February 2013.

The three new routes are anticipated to provide faster service because there will be limited stops. The plan is the result of a Transit System Study.

Said that increasing fares would be unreasonable, since they believe buses are poorly maintained and often run late. Officials say the agency needs to raise fares about 25% every four years to help cover operating costs.

Working with Knott’s Berry Farm to help service animals and handlers get accustomed to navigating public buses. Handlers and service animals will have access to enter the theme park in order to train around large groups of people and various unfamiliar sights and sounds.

Will house 10 different transportation modes when it opens, including Metrolink, Amtrak, OCTA bus service, taxi, bicycle, international buses and tour and charter buses.