RCTC and OCTA are working hard to provide additional options to provide commuters with choices other than driving alone on the 91 freeway.

Rail
Metrolink train service between the Inland Empire and Orange County as well as Los Angeles County, provides commuters with an option to avoid the SR-91. The Inland Empire – Orange County (IEOC) line service provides eight round trips trains per day serving stations in Riverside, Corona, Anaheim, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin, Irvine, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente and Oceanside. More than 4,000 passengers per day ride the IEOC Line Monday through Friday. In July of this year the IEOC line also began operating year round weekend service with three round trips on Saturday and two round trips on Sunday. In addition to this service, Metrolink also offers an option for commuters traveling from the Inland Empire to Los Angeles via Fullerton on the 91 line. The 91 line offers up to 4 round trips between Riverside and Los Angeles. For more information please see www.metrolinktrains.com.

Express Bus
Another option is riding an Express Bus from the Inland Empire into Orange County. RCTC and OCTA are coordinating to provide additional routes focusing on the most desired destinations. In September 2006, OCTA and the Riverside Transit Agency introduced Route 794 between Riverside/Corona and the South Coast Metro area in Costa Mesa. These buses use carpool lanes and the 91 Express Lanes to get people where they’re going quickly, concentrating on bus stops at major employment centers. For map and schedule information, visit OCTA or Riverside Transit Agency.

Rideshare/Express Lanes
Yet another option for people who can’t take advantage of public transit is to take advantage of discounted tolls on the 91 Express Lanes for carpools of 3 or more people. During non-peak hours, tolls for 3+ carpools are free of charge. During peak hours, the fare is discounted by 50 percent. RCTC and OCTA also provide carpooling assistance to commuters and employers who want to join a carpool or be part of a vanpooling program. For more information, please visit www.commutesmart.info or call Inland Empire Commuter Services at 1-866-RIDESHARE or OCTA at (714) 636-RIDE.

SR 241
And lastly, if you are traveling between Riverside County and the City of Orange or points south, you might consider taking the SR-241 toll road and bypass the SR-91/SR-55 interchange altogether. Try the 241 and you'll discover it's safe, smooth and speedy. For more information on the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) toll road system and pricing, please visit the TCA's web site at www.thetollroads.com.