I have long been a strong advocate for increased transportation choices as a means of reducing traffic congestion as well as a means of reducing air pollution.

For this reason, I’m delighted to announce that one of my primary policy objectives as a member of the Irvine City Council has been realized — a major expansion of iShuttle routes and a significant increase in Irvine commuter transportation choices!

Two new iShuttle routes have now been established and six new iShuttle vehicles have been procured!

The two routes began service this week.

Route E operates out of the Irvine Train Station, providing service to the east and west, including the Irvine Spectrum.

Route F operates out of the Tustin Train Station and provides service in the west, including the Irvine Business Complex.

Here is a map of Route 400A, Route 401B and new Route 405F:

Here is a map of Route 402C, Route 403D and new Route 404E:

Ninety percent of the funding for the new routes and vehicles is covered by Orange County Measure M2, Project V.  City Transportation Management funding and City partners will also provide funds.

The new routes will bring the total number of iShuttle routes to six, a 50% increase.

The iShuttle expansion will make it more convenient for employees and visitors to move around Irvine’s two large business districts without a car and is expected to have a significant positive impact on Irvine’s commuter traffic congestion.

There are now six routes – three each from Irvine Station serving the Irvine Spectrum, and Tustin Metrolink Station serving the Irvine Business Complex and John Wayne Airport. Running during the commuting hours, the new Route E from Irvine Station runs along Barranca Parkway to Muirlands Boulevard, down Bake Parkway and Irvine Center Drive, to Gitano. The new Route F from Tustin Metrolink Station runs down Jamboree Road, west on Barranca Parkway and circles along Armstrong Avenue.

Going forward toward creating a greener and smarter transportation future, I’d like to see more iShuttle service added.  For example, a route that would take people from UCI to the Spectrum would be good for both Irvine traffic reduction and for UCI students and Sprectum businesses.

For information in the iShuttle, and maps of all the routes, go to the OCTA site, octa.net/busbook, and click on “City Bus Connections.”

The iShuttle is free with a Metrolink or OCTA bus ticket; $1 per boarding otherwise.