Local group protests bus route changes

Andrew Glazer

COSTA MESA -- A small but devoted band of bus riders met Thursday evening

to mull over the county’s plans for straightening crooked and twisted bus

routes.

The group of nine fear that the changed routes will force them to walk

longer distances to catch the bus, and make additional bus transfers

during their trips. Some will ride buses around Costa Mesa this morning,

distributing fliers about the route changes.

“God help us with our struggle against the OCTA,” Alfonso Ramirez said,

in his native Spanish, in a prayer before the meeting.

But a spokesman from the Orange County Transportation Authority said the

board already listened to bus riders’ concerns about the straighter bus

lines when they designed the latest plans.

In fact, a report prepared by county transportation officials said the

changes would cut travel times for 60% of bus riders.

“After hearing from riders at a meeting in February, we made some fairly

major changes,” said Dave Simpson, a spokesman for the transportation

authority.

But Jane Reifer, the unofficial leader of the Orange County Citizens for

Bus Restructuring Task Force, said she doesn’t buy that.

“They only gave us three minutes each to explain the glitches and that

wasn’t enough,” she said, referring to the hearing in February. “We don’t

think they really tried. But we could really help them. They’ll say

‘here’s how to save money’ and we’ll say ‘here’s how it addresses us.’ ”

Reifer, who lives in Fullerton and doesn’t own a car, said she and her

fellow bus riders -- many who can’t afford a car -- have a lot at stake.

That’s why Costa Mesa resident Linda Weiand said she will distribute

fliers today and chant the slogan “half the routes and double the fare”

in objection to the actions of the transportation agency.

The riders will meet at 10 a.m. today at bus stop 57 at Triangle Square

on Newport Boulevard before fanning out onto different buses. They will

regroup at noon at Lions Park, 570 W. 18th St., Costa Mesa.