For many students, the reality of getting to and from their home and any destination is limited to their parent’s availability and whether the walking distance is reasonable or not. If you’re under the age of 16, have an expired permit, or simply never have a ride, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) bus pass is offered to youth for free!
Everyone 18 and under is eligible for this pass. A parent must fill out the parent request form, which can be picked up at the Family Center in room 911, at the Counseling Center, or done online with a google form found in the OA weekly updates. After registering, you can pick up the pass any day of the week during lunch, before school, or after school in room 911.
While figuring out when and where these bus routes go may be daunting, it is actually quite simple: type in your destination on your Maps app, click on directions, and then the bus icon, which will show OCTA bus stops and the route you need to take to get to it!
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) bus pass is offered to youth for free. Everyone 18 and under is eligible for this pass.
However, if you’re still wondering which locations near bus stops have the potential to become your new hang-out spot or are merely lost at where to begin, here are a few suggestions that just might work.
If you’re a foodie, be sure to visit the Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe in Anaheim. This bakery features a variety of drinks and breads, like the seasonal treat Kabocha Custard, a pumpkin-shaped soft bun filled with tasty kabocha (Japanese pumpkin) and topped with a pretzel stick as the stem. It is 55 minutes away from Oxford, so enjoy the ride there while listening to music with friends or appreciating the scenery as you travel through OC — this bakery is definitely worth the journey. Only two minutes away from the nearest bus stop, Airoma Cafe in Westminster provides a small and tranquil location, serving slightly astringent yet pleasant matcha and coffee. Sip on your drink while you work on a math homework packet or as you decide which group costume you are going to wear on Halloween.
Although it’s a whopping hour and 23 minutes journey from Oxford, you’ll be well compensated at the Huntington Beach Public Library. The library is only five minutes from the Golden West and Huntington Beach stop and features several stories of serene study areas surrounded by aisles of books. Similarly, the Cerritos Library is a charming alternative, although not as accessible from campus but it might be a more convenient option to those living closer to bus stops than Oxford is.
Another option is to go straight home during your free 7th or 8th period. If you’re done with school for the day there’s really nothing holding you back from walking out of school while your sibling is still in CCR to commute home together or as you wait for the school bus to pick you up and take you home at the same time as everyone else — both of these choices not so fun. Avoid the immense traffic flow when the last bell rings and get home conveniently before 3 p.m. to nap, relax and refresh, eat a snack, or get started on homework (or not…). This way, you can familiarize yourself with the process and routes near your home, making it almost second nature to use the OCTA bus pass as time goes on.
Don’t miss out on the OCTA passes, get them as soon as you can since there is a limited supply and expires September 2025. Students without licenses, enjoy this newfound freedom!
