Keolis Secures Contract as Orange County Transportation Authority’s Operating Partner for Fixed Route Bus Services

Board unanimously approves contract through 2027 that further expands Keolis’ transit operations footprint in Southern California

BOSTON – May 9, 2023 - Keolis North America (Keolis) today announced that the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has awarded Keolis a contract to operate fixed route bus services in partnership with the agency from the Anaheim and Irvine/Sand Canyon bases. The four-year contract begins on June 11, 2023, with two two-year options to extend with Keolis. OCTA’s board unanimously approved the selection of Keolis in March, and the two parties recently finalized the contract.

OCTA cited Keolis’ experience, a strong organizational structure, and workforce development as key reasons for the contract award. Keolis will support employee programs with training and staffing plans that make work in transit an attractive career opportunity. Keolis’ approach to recruitment and retention is key in delivering safe and reliable service for passengers and assisting transit agencies in growing ridership.

“At Keolis, we’re extremely proud to be entrusted with providing safe and reliable transit services to the residents and visitors of Orange County, California,” said Keolis North America CEO David Scorey. “While the public transit industry is facing a challenging labor market, Keolis has employed every tool in the toolbox to help our partner agencies attract and retain top talent, and we have a plan in place to help OCTA do just that.”

As part of this contract, Keolis will be responsible for approximately 40 percent of OCTA’s fixed-route bus operations. Contracting enables OCTA to offer passengers even more service without compromising service safety, reliability, and quality. Savings realized through contracting enables OCTA to reinvest in service and provide an additional 150,000 revenue service hours of bus operations.

In selecting Keolis for this contract, OCTA referenced the relocation of key personnel with previous experience being accountable for operations and maintenance at networks with similar size and configuration to OCTA’s two operations bases. Keolis will implement a comprehensive work plan that emphasizes safety, the passenger experience, and data monitoring and analytic software for maintenance and operations.

OCTA contributes to Keolis’ growing footprint in southern California and builds on contracts in Pomona, Van Nuys, Victorville, and Burbank Airport.