The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) on Oct. 12 launched a new limited-stop service called 57Xpress to speed up commute times along the popular Route 57, which runs between Brea and Newport Beach.
The 57Xpress bus runs along State College Boulevard, The City Drive and Bristol Street, with fewer stops in the busiest portion of the route – between Orangethorpe Avenue in Fullerton and Sunflower Avenue in Costa Mesa.
In all, the 57Xpress service is expected to save bus riders who travel the entire route about 10 minutes, with 15 stops instead of the regular 48 stops in the center of the route.
“OCTA is excited about providing our passengers with a more efficient way to travel along one of our busiest routes for the same low cost,” said OCTA Chairman Jeff Lalloway, also the Mayor Pro Tem of Irvine. “I encourage people looking for a faster, more relaxed way to ride to give the limited-stop service a try.”
The launch of Route 57Xpress follows the success of the popular Bravo! express bus service, which began in 2013 and offers limited stops along Harbor Boulevard. Customers have reported that they are highly satisfied with the convenience and efficiency of limited-stop bus service.
Route 57 is a popular bus route between Brea and Newport Beach because it travels to popular destinations such as the Brea Mall, Cal State Fullerton, Angel Stadium, UCI Medical Center, The Outlets at Orange, The LAB Anti-Mall and South Coast Plaza.
Buses traveling the 57Xpress route will look the same as other OC Buses, recognizable by the familiar white bus with blue and orange stripes, but will be easy to spot: Stops are clearly marked with a unique 57X sign and buses will show 57X on the digital-message sign at the front of the bus.
The 57Xpress service will run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, arriving about every 20 minutes. The cost to ride the express service is the same as regular service: $2 per boarding, or $5 for a one-day pass.
Using a pass instead of cash will also speed the ride. OC Bus offers a variety of passes for purchase at Orange County Ralphs, Vons, Pavilions and Northgate markets.
The launch of Route 57Xpress marks OCTA’s ongoing effort to improve bus service and increase the efficiency of bus travel throughout the county. For more information, visit ocbus.com/57Xpress.
