Rapid Transit Projects to Replace CenterLine Light-Rail System
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Due to the absence of federal funding for the CenterLine project, a planned 9.3 mile light-rail line from the Depot at Santa Ana to John Wayne Airport, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) board of directors voted to pause work on CenterLine and study alternative rapid transit projects that could be implemented in its place. The rapid transit package is designed to use the 68-mile Metrolink commuter-rail corridor as a back bone for improving transit service throughout Orange County. Proposed transit improvements include:
- Expanding Metrolink service between Fullerton and Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo by running trains every 20-30 minutes between 5 a.m. and midnight, seven days a week.
- Linking Metrolink service to future high-speed rail lines that could connect Orange County to Los Angeles, San Diego, Ontario and the Bay Area.
- Beginning a 69-mile limited-stop bus rapid transit (BRT) system on Harbor Boulevard, Westminster Boulevard/17th Street and on a 28-mile route from the Brea Mall to the Irvine Transportation Center. BRT service will run on existing streets and use alternative-fuel buses with traffic signal priority as well as customized bus shelters that display real-time bus arrival information.
- Launching a new shuttle service around the Irvine Business Center near John Wayne Airport.
- Building new direct carpool-lane exits at selected locations that could be used by BRT service, as well as a direct carpool connector linking Garden Grove (SR-22), San Diego (I-405) and San Gabriel River (I-605) freeways.
- Providing $30 million for cities to study options for linking Metrolink stations to major activity centers using buses, monorail, light rail or other transit technologies.
The majority of the projects are planned for completion by 2010 in order to meet federal air quality commitments, which require OCTA to reduce emission by implementing CenterLine or comparable rapid transit projects by 2010.
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Metrolink Service Changes
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Metrolink schedules changed effective January 3, 2006. Two new round-trip trains have been added between Oceanside and Riverside-Downtown on the Inland Empire/Orange County (IEOC) line. There are a few other minor schedule changes for the IEOC and Orange County lines. For more information or to view the new schedules, visit Spectrumotion's Riding the Train page at www.72share.com/metro.asp or visit www.metrolinktrains.com. |
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Safe Bike Commuting
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On March 8, 2006, Spectrumotion will be hosting a one hour presentation on the basics of safe bike commuting presented by a trained cycling instructor. The presentation will be at the Spectrumotion office at the Irvine Transportation Center (ITC) from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm and attendance is FREE. Current bike commuters and commuters thinking of biking to work (even part of the trip) are encouraged to attend. Along with basics of safe bike commuting, information about future Road I courses (a 9 hour course for those cyclists who wish to gain a full understanding of how to safely operate a bicycle in a variety of situations) will be available. Feel free to bring a lunch or there is Star Wok Express (chinese take-out) at the ITC.
If you are interested in attending the presentation, please fill out the registration form below or contact Lea Gould at lea@spectrumotion.com or (949)72-SHARE.
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Train Delay Information
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The quickest way to check on train delays is by calling Metrolink at (800) 371-LINK (5465). The new voice-activated answering system responds immediately to your requests. Just say "train delays" when the phone is answered, and the most up-to date system-delay information will be announced. There's no need to listen to the full menu of information choices. Go ahead...interrupt the "Welcome to Metrolink's..." greeting for a fast and easy way to get the scoop on train delays.
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Long Beach Vanpool Formation Meeting
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Do you want to put all that traffic behind you? Spectrumotion is in the business of helping you find commute options. We routinely receive requests for vanpools and are trying a new strategy to get interested commuters together.
If you live in the Long Beach area, you are invited to attend a vanpool formation meeting on Wednesday February 1, 2006, at 12:00 pm (location to be determined). The purpose of the meeting is to organize a vanpool(s) from the Long Beach area to employers like yours in Irvine Spectrum. Remember, if we get a van started, the first month is FREE.
Please complete the registration form below if you are interested in attending or contact Lea Gould at lea@spectrumotion.com or (949)72-SHARE. We will contact interested individuals with more details.
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Upcoming Events
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February 1, 2006
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
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Long Beach
Vanpool Formation Meeting
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Location to be determined
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March 8, 2006
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
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Safe Bike Commuting Presentation
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Spectrumotion Office
Irvine Transportation Center
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California Bike Commute Week
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Spectrumotion is a private, nonprofit association formed to assist commuters to Irvine Spectrum. We are funded by the property owners in Irvine Spectrum much the same way a homeowners association is in a residential community. That’s how we can offer all our services to commuters and employers free of charge.
Spectrumotion provides a variety of free services including carpool matching, vanpool formation and incentives, Metrolink commuter rail information and incentives, OCTA bus information and incentives and an Emergency Ride Home Program. To view our complete list of commuter and employer services, log on to our website at www.72share.com.
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Commuters that register with Spectrumotion for rideshare information or incentives are entered into our commuter database. The database is used to match commuters with potential carpool partners along with keeping statistical data on commute behavior in Irvine Spectrum.
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8201 number of Irvine Spectrum commuters in the Spectrumotion database available for carpool matching. 29.69% of commuters in the Spectrumotion database are currently ridesharing.
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1498
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Carpoolers
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| 731 |
Train Riders
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| 66 |
Bike Riders
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| 53 |
Bus Riders
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| 38 |
Telecommuters
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| 31 |
Vanpoolers
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| 7 |
Walkers
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