The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) announced its OC ACCESS paratransit service is expected to return to regular, full service by May 22 after the contracted drivers who have been on strike voted to accept the contract offer from their employer, First Transit/Transdev. 

“We are very pleased that the two sides have reached a resolution and that full service will return for the paratransit riders who rely on OC ACCESS to maintain their independence, and reach critical destinations,” said OCTA Chairman Gene Hernandez. “We understand what a tremendous burden this work stoppage has been, and we look forward to restoring this vital service.”

OC ACCESS Contract History

OCTA contracts its OC ACCESS paratransit service, for riders with physical or cognitive limitations preventing them from using the regular OC Bus service, to a third-party provider.

That contractor, First Transit/Transdev, had been in contract negotiations for several months with Teamsters Local 952, the union representing approximately 250 drivers.

The previous contract between the two parties expired at the end of 2022 and negotiations had been ongoing until the union chose to strike on May 3. OCTA was not involved in the labor negotiations. 

On average, OC ACCESS provides about 3,500 trips per day. 

With the announced end to the strike, Same-Day Taxi service and OC ACCESS subscription service are also being restored, as well as full service for OC Flex, OCTA’s on-demand microtransit service operating in Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, and Aliso Viejo.