Brea seeks grant to keep senior shuttle free

BREA, Calif. — Brea is seeking a $750,000 Orange County Transportation Authority grant to help keep senior shuttle service free while other Orange County cities add fees or limit rides, Voice of OC reported Monday.

The request comes as Orange County’s 60+ population grows, with an estimated one-third of county residents expected to be older adults by 2060, according to Voice of OC.

Brea residents age 60 or older can use free shuttle service for grocery shopping, medication pickup and weekly errands, according to Voice of OC. The city also offers an unlimited van service for $4 per one-way trip within a five-mile radius.

The Brea City Council approved the OCTA grant application in a 5-0 vote. Voice of OC reported the application had been submitted as of Aug. 28, with a projected award date in January 2027.

The grant would provide the Brea Senior Center with one electric vehicle and one gas vehicle. If awarded, the city would amend its 2026-27 operating budget and approve a 10% match from the Air Quality Improvement Fees Fund and Vehicle Replacement Fund, according to Voice of OC.

Anthony Godoy, senior management analyst for Brea’s community services department, described the effort as “reducing barriers for transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities,” Voice of OC reported.

Other Orange County cities have moved in a different direction. Mission Viejo, Costa Mesa, San Clemente and Fullerton have added monthly ride caps and shuttle fees as of March 2026, with some limits as low as eight rides and fees ranging from $3 to $10, according to Voice of OC. Costa Mesa now charges $5 for one-way trips to doctor’s offices that had been free, while Fullerton cut seniors’ free monthly rides from 30 in March 2026 to 20 as of July 2026.

Councilmember Marty Simonoff said, “Taking advantage of these grants and getting these vehicles is gonna do a service to our seniors that’s long overdue,” according to Voice of OC.

The grant would support scheduled trips to and from the Brea Senior Center from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.