Orange County, California: Decline in Bus Ridership Attributed to Immigration Raids
Orange County is experiencing a significant decline in bus ridership, attributed to fears surrounding federal immigration raids. According to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), weekday bus numbers have dropped by 13% since June 20, 2024, a trend that has persisted into July. This decline is notably sharper than the typical seasonal decrease in ridership observed during the summer months.
The concern around federal raids escalated following the commencement of immigration sweeps in Southern California, which began on June 6. These events have fostered heightened apprehension among residents about their safety on public transportation. California Metro also reported a similar drop, with a 13.5% decrease in ridership throughout June amid heightened immigration enforcement in Los Angeles County.
In an attempt to align with federal guidelines, an OCTA memo instructed bus drivers to comply with law enforcement requests. This directive raised alarms as it indicated that law enforcement, including immigration agents, could board buses. The situation came to a head on July 10 when agents from ICE and the DEA boarded a bus in Santa Ana to question a passenger. Although no arrest was made, the incident sparked considerable anxiety among the community, further fueled by video footage that circulated on social media.
To mitigate the unrest, OCTA released alternative footage showing that the questioned individual was ultimately not the target of the federal agents, illustrating that authorities had made a mistake in identifying the individual. Nevertheless, community representatives have voiced concerns that the presence of ICE agents at public transit locations undermines the trust in transportation services and creates a hostile environment for riders.
Vicente Sarmiento, an Orange County Supervisor and OCTA board member, has acknowledged that, while summer typically brings a natural decline in ridership, the climate of fear surrounding these federal actions is likely impacting commuters’ choices. Sarmiento has called for OCTA to take proactive measures, such as adjusting bus routes and informing riders about their rights in the context of immigration enforcement.
To respond to these growing concerns, OCTA’s chief executive, Darrell Johnson, has indicated a willingness to explore partnerships aimed at informing the public about their rights. Among the chief strategies considered is the installation of multilingual “Know Your Rights” signage on OCTA buses to cater to the diverse community, with proposals for materials available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
On the same day as the Santa Ana incident, OCTA officials met to evaluate ridership statistics, which continue to reflect declines. Pro-immigrant advocates have criticized OCTA, accusing the agency of downplaying the frequency of ICE activities on buses during board discussions. There is growing demand for OCTA to implement training programs for bus drivers to prepare them for scenarios involving ICE encounters.
The ongoing discussions regarding riders’ rights in the context of immigration enforcement are being reviewed in committees and board meetings within OCTA, highlighting the complex interplay between public safety, transportation, and community trust amid the current immigration landscape.