by Ed Maurer

In a recent newsletter, Supervisor Foley expresses concern about the Trump administration’s impact on local transit projects on account of a recent memo from the U.S. Department of Transportation that threatens $500 million in funding for ongoing projects in Orange County. We are especially worried about the negative impact these actions will have on these projects:

• OC Streetcar. This first modern streetcar in our county will offer fast and convenient light-rail transportation between the Santa Ana Transportation Center and Harbor Boulevard and Westminster Avenue in Garden Grove. The route measures 4.15 mi and it is slated to open in August of 2025. Funding depends in part on the U.S. Department of Transportation.
• OC Loop Biking and Walking Trail. This 66-mile loop is 80% complete and already popular, especially among bikers. The few missing links are shown on the map published by OCTA (Orange County Transportation Agency). “WHY IS THE OC LOOP IMPORTANT? The OC Loop is more than just a bicycling and walking path. Completing the OC Loop benefits the entire community with increased access to employment and popular attractions, enhanced mobility, reduced car-dependency and improved quality of life.”

• Zero Emissions Bus Program. Albeit very slowly, OCTA has been moving in the right direction by converting its fleet of buses to 100% zero-emissions technology by 2040. (My hometown of Basel, Switzerland, is reaching this goal by 2027. Its transit system counted 115 million passengers – and growing - on trains, streetcars and buses in 2023, while OCTA counted 34 million and declining on busses in the same year,.) This OCTA program aligns with California’s Clean Transit Rule and partly depends on funds from the Federal Transit Administration. Its new leader, Marc Molinaro, considered a moderate within the Trump team, is fervently opposed to New York City’s congestion pricing plan, and it remains to be seen how he deals with Elon Musk’s DOGE youngsters, and how many programs will be guillotined.

Of course, Supervisor Foley is also concerned about losing highway funds that could go toward “improvements” along OC’s frequently jammed freeways. The situation on overburdened freeways is not surprising when one considers that over 100’000 new cars were added in 2023 alone! Orange County ranks second in the state when it comes to cars, only Los Angeles County has more. In terms of people, OC is third, after LA and San Diego, who both have better public transit systems than we. Perhaps some of the transportation funding ought to go to study public transit that appeals to Orange Countians.

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