This story has been updated to show that Councilmember Marty Simonoff was referring to the lives of vehicles, not seniors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As many Orange County cities begin imposing fees for senior shuttle programs to meet increasing costs and demand, the City of Brea looks to keep senior center shuttles free.<\/p>\n
It comes at a time when the Orange County population is aging rapidly \u2014\u00a0by 2060, it\u2019s estimated<\/a> that a third of the county\u2019s residents will be considered older adults.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been dubbed the \u201csilver tsunami\u201d as residents age and the 60+ population increases.<\/p>\n Brea residents aged 60 or older benefit<\/a> from the city\u2019s free shuttle services to buy groceries, pick up medication and do weekly errands. Brea also offers an unlimited van service; for $4 per one-way trip, seniors can schedule personal trips to local shops or visit friends within a five-mile radius.\u00a0<\/p>\n As of March 2026, Mission Viejo<\/a>, Costa Mesa<\/a>, San Clemente and Fullerton<\/a> have implemented monthly ride limitations \u2014 as few as eight a month \u2014 and added shuttle fees ranging from $3 to $10 per trip.<\/p>\n One-way visits to the doctor\u2019s office in Costa Mesa, once free, are now $5, and Fullerton seniors\u2019 free rides have been reduced from 30 per month in March 2026 to 20 as of July 2026.<\/p>\n In a Brea City Council meeting from August, Anthony Godoy \u2014 senior management analyst for the community services department \u2014\u00a0presented a proposal for a grant application<\/a> from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA).<\/p>\n This $750,000 grant would provide Brea\u2019s senior center with one electric vehicle and one gas vehicle, in accordance with OCTA\u2019s 2024 sustainability initiative<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThose vehicles that are free, they\u2019re free for a reason. Their (the cars\u2019) lives are basically over, and we\u2019re just stretching it out a wee bit,\u201d Councilmember Marty Simonoff said at the meeting, in favor of the funding.\u00a0<\/p>\n The council approved the grant application, with the motion passing 5-0, and submitted it as of Aug. 28; the projected award date is January 2027.\u00a0<\/p>\n If awarded, Brea will amend its operating budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year<\/a> to align with the approved grant funds and authorize a 10% funding match using the Air Quality Improvement Fees Fund<\/a> and the Vehicle Replacement Fund. Brea\u2019s Mayor, Cecilia Hupp, said she supported these efforts.<\/p>\n