The Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) OC ACCESS paratransit service resumed service on May 22 after the contracted drivers, who had been on strike, voted on May 18 to accept the contract offer from First Transit/Transdev.
“We are very pleased 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 and Mayor of Yorba Linda Gene Hernandez. “We understand what a tremendous burden this work stoppage has been, and we look forward to restoring this vital service.”
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 end of the strike, Same-Day Taxi service and OC ACCESS subscription services are also being restored, as well as full service for OC Flex, OCTA’s on-demand microtransit service operating in the cities of Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo and Aliso Viejo.
