O.C. bus riders could face fare hike, terminal closure

On a Southern California fall afternoon, with temperatures reaching into the 90s, dozens of travelers took refuge under the tall ceiling of the Santa Ana transit terminal.

Maria Salazar, 29, rested on a concrete bench, waiting to go home.

Earlier this month, her boss cut back her hours at the preschool where she works as an assistant, and she was forced to sell her car. She bought a monthly bus pass for $45 and now takes public transportation every day from her home in Costa Mesa to Santa Ana College for English classes. On days when she can get the hours, it's two additional buses to the preschool.

Like many at the transit center -- which serves thousands of bus riders every day -- Salazar was unaware of the double whammy Orange County bus riders face when local transit officials meet Monday.

In addition to closing the popular Santa Ana bus terminal, across the street from the county courthouse and other civic buildings, the Orange County Transportation Authority will consider hiking fares for the first time in four years. The cost of one ride would increase from $1.25 to $1.50 and a day pass from $3 to $4; monthly passes would go from $45 to $55. Other fares, such as those for seniors and people with disabilities, would also rise.

OCTA officials say the hike is necessary to cover increased healthcare and pension costs, high fuel expenses and reduced state funds for transportation. The terminal closure, they say, is necessary because the agency can't afford necessary safety upgrades.

Arthur T. Leahy, chief executive of the transit agency, said that without fare increases, bus riders would face further cuts in service. The agency is already planning to cut the frequency of buses on six routes.

"Without it, we would have a several million dollar shortfall in the budget of the OCTA bus system," he said.

The increases are expected to bring in about $4 million a year.

Critics counter that the proposed increases come at the worst possible time for riders already struggling with dire economic straits.

"It's going to affect the people who can afford it the least," said Jane Reifer of the OCTA's Citizens Advisory Committee.

Leahy, however, points out that at two previous public hearings on the rate increase, only a couple of people showed up and their reactions were mixed.

As for the terminal, he said, it must be closed for safety. The terminal lacks adequate ventilation for the county's new buses, which run on natural gas, Leahy said.