OC buses, trams have fared well after fare bump

By Mallory Panuska Managing Editor

(Aug. 18, 2023) Despite a $1 increase in bus and tram fares this season, ridership seems to be holding steady, according to totals reported through the end of July.

“We assumed the fare increase would affect ridership about 10 percent. That didn’t occur,” City Manager Terry McGean told members of the city’s Transportation Committee Tuesday.

Just before the first trams started running for Springfest at the beginning of May, City Council members approved a request to raise the fares from $4 to $5 in the division, and $3 to $4 for one-way bus rides. The change was made to help cover in-