[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”869″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While many of his colleagues are decompressing from sitting in traffic, Ted Nguyen arrives in the office every morning refreshed and ready to work. For the last 10 years, Nguyen has commuted via train from his home in Laguna Niguel to Orange.

While traveling by train has its obvious monetary advantages–especially in light of today’s gas prices–for Nguyen taking the train also improves his overall quality of life.

“The time I spend on the train, I consider ’me‘ time,” says the Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) public relations director. “In the morning during the 30 to 40 minute trip, I respond to emails and make phone calls, and on the way home I catch up with friends and family, chat with fellow passengers, read a book, or even take a nap,” he says. “Over the course of a year, I spend about 288 hours on the train doing something productive or relaxing, rather than behind the wheel.”

Thanks to the OCTA’s recent changes, including evening trains and more affordable weekend passes, public transportation is getting even easier to use, says Kristin Young, web data analyst with the OCTA. “Extended hours allow passengers to stay out later, giving them the chance to explore attractions, such as restaurants in other cities. A new, affordable weekend pass allows you to travel anywhere system–wide all weekend long.”

Expanded Metrolink Weekday Service

As of July 5th, the Metrolink Service is offering extra rail service and longer hours within the Orange County line between the Fullerton and Laguna Niguel / Mission Viejo stations. Along with these changes, the new OCLink Pass lets you ride any local OCTA bus, any Metrolink train, anytime, any weekday, anywhere in Orange County for just $7 – $6 for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Purchase OCLink passes online, by phone or at various locations. Visit OCTA.net/OCLink or call (714) 560–5932.

Expanded Metrolink Weekend Service & Pass

As of July 1st, the OCTA is making weekends more fun with expanded Metrolink routes. The increased weekend service includes a new seasonal trip on the Inland Empire–Orange County Line. In addition to traveling throughout Orange County and to Union Station in Los Angeles every weekend, you can also make your way to communities such as Riverside, Palmdale, Lancaster, East Ventura, Oxnard and San Bernardino. You can also take the seasonal train to San Clemente or Oceanside.

Along with this more frequent weekend service, Metrolink is offering a new Weekend Pass. For an economical price of $10, the Weekend Pass is valid for unlimited travel in the entire Metrolink system after 7 pm Friday until midnight Sunday.

• For Metrolink weekend schedules and passes, visit OCTA.net and click on “Train.”

OC Fair Flyer Express

Take the easy and inexpensive way to the Orange County Fair this summer and ride the OC Fair FlyerExpress–offering direct, non–stop bus service to and from the fair from two Orange County Metrolink stations and four Orange County bus locations. The cost to ride the Express is $1.50 each way, and all OC Fair Express passengers receive a coupon for $2 admission to the fair.

The OC Express runs during the fair from July 15th through August 14th on Fridays from 3 pm to midnight and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to midnight.

For more information on the OC Fair Express, visit OCTA.net/ocflyer9[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]