METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

California's OCTA Advances 2026 Initiatives Centered on Balance and Sustainability

The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.

January 27, 2026
California's OCTA Advances 2026 Initiatives Centered on Balance and Sustainability

To support these initiatives, OCTA staff will advance 104 planned projects and program milestones in 2026, with progress updates provided to the Board throughout the year.

Credit: OCTA

2 min to read


The Orange County Transportation Authority in 2026 will focus on delivering a balanced, sustainable, and equitable transportation system while strengthening organizational resiliency and fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration, the agency announced.

The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.

Ad Loading...

Advancing OCTA’s Vision

Each year, the newly elected board Chair works with the CEO to develop and present a set of strategic initiatives that reflect community values, fiscal responsibility, and long-term planning. The initiatives were recently reviewed and accepted by OCTA’s 18-member board.

“This plan reflects our responsibility to deliver on our commitments to Orange County residents by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation choices,” said OCTA Chair Jamey M. Federico. “By focusing on balance, sustainability, and collaboration, we are ensuring that OCTA continues to meet today’s transportation needs while preparing for the challenges and opportunities of the future.”

The 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives focus on three overarching priorities: 

  • Providing a Balanced, Sustainable, and Equitable Public Transportation System: Delivering safe, reliable, and accessible travel options for residents, commuters, and visitors, advancing Measure M projects and programs, and engaging stakeholders through meaningful public input.

  • Enhancing Organizational Strength Through Financial Stewardship and Environmental Leadership: Demonstrating prudent financial management, responsibly using taxpayer dollars, strengthening adaptability to economic and environmental conditions, and championing sustainability initiatives that support healthy communities.

  • Sustaining a Culture of Excellence, Collaboration, and Inclusion: Expanding partnerships with key agencies, organizations, and communities, fostering a safe and inclusive workplace that empowers employees, and promoting innovation, accountability, and teamwork across the organization.

Each year, the newly elected board Chair works with the CEO to develop and present a set of strategic initiatives that reflect community values, fiscal responsibility, and long-term planning. 

Credit: OCTA

What’s Next?

To support these initiatives, OCTA staff will advance 104 planned projects and program milestones in 2026, with progress updates provided to the Board throughout the year.

Ad Loading...

“By clearly defining our priorities and aligning them with measurable actions, we ensure accountability and transparency in everything we do,” said OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson. “This plan positions OCTA to remain fiscally responsible, environmentally conscious, and responsive to the communities we serve, while continuing to keep Orange County moving safely and efficiently.”

More Management

Managementby StaffMarch 19, 2026

People Movement: The Latest from TARTA, STV, and More

METRO’s People Movement highlights the latest leadership changes, promotions, and personnel news across the public transit, motorcoach, and people mobility sectors.

Read More →
A BART railcar
Managementby StaffMarch 19, 2026

BART Monetizes Empty Parking With New Online Leasing Tool

BART began offering select parking lots to non-BART riders to generate new revenue to help address its FY27 $376M operating budget deficit brought on by remote work.

Read More →
MTA Chair & CEO Janno Lieber sits with a customer service employee and takes calls.
Managementby Elora HaynesMarch 19, 2026

Transit Agencies Nationwide Celebrate 2026 National Transit Employee Appreciation Day

Agencies across the U.S. honored transit workers on March 18, recognizing the essential roles they play in keeping communities moving daily.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cover for METROspectives with Inez Evans Benson
ManagementMarch 18, 2026

Inez Evans-Benson on Leadership and the Future of Transportation

Drawing on decades of industry experience, Evans-Benson offered insights into the differences between the two, along with tips for better customer engagement and more.

Read More →
An RTC of Washoe County bus driving down Virginia Street.
Managementby StaffMarch 18, 2026

Keolis Lands 3 Contract Renewals

The renewals include continued operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida; the PRTC in Virginia; and RTC Washoe in Nevada.  

Read More →
A MARTA employee using the new Better Breeze fare ticket machines.
Managementby StaffMarch 17, 2026

MARTA’s New 'Better Breeze' Fare System Nears Launch

The new system introduces tap-to-pay, touchscreen kiosks, and updated Breeze cards, with both old and new systems running through May.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A wide angle view of two MTA buses with three people walking between them.
Managementby StaffMarch 16, 2026

Proposed Auto Insurance Reform Would Save New York’s MTA Millions Annually

The governor’s proposed auto insurance reforms could save the agency $48 million annually by limiting payouts in crashes where buses are not primarily at fault.

Read More →
paratransit bus
SponsoredMarch 16, 2026

Measuring the True Cost of Paratransit Fleets

What truly drives the cost of a paratransit fleet? Beyond the purchase price, seven operational factors quietly determine maintenance frequency, downtime, and long-term service reliability. This whitepaper explores how these factors shape lifecycle cost and what agencies should evaluate when selecting paratransit vehicles.

Read More →
Cover photo for METROspectives with The Bus Coalition
Busby Alex RomanMarch 13, 2026

Inside The Bus Coalition’s Push for Stronger Federal Transit Investment

In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern, President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Amanda Wanke
Managementby StaffMarch 13, 2026

Des Moines DART CEO Joins Minneapolis Metro Transit

Amanda Wanke, who has worked at DART for 10 years, including the past 2½ years as CEO, will join Metro Transit as deputy chief operating officer, operations administration.

Read More →