As Laguna Niguel adjusts to cutbacks in OCTA bus service, the city will hold two meetings to gather resident feedback and discuss possible transportation alternatives.

The meetings are part of a larger transit study funded through an OCTA grant. The study also will look at a potential transit system linking the Sea Country Senior and Community Center, federal building and future Agora development near City Hall, among other locations.

“We’re really looking for feedback from residents and businesses,” said Nasser Abbaszadeh, director of public works in Laguna Niguel.

The meetings come more than three months after OCTA modified and cut lines in south Orange County while expanding coverage in other areas. A decline in ridership and tax revenue contributed to the cuts, OCTA said.

The cutbacks in Laguna Niguel and neighboring cities impacted multiple lines, including Routes 85 and 87.

Route 85, which connects Mission Viejo to Laguna Niguel, saw its service south of Alicia Parkway get cut. Saturday service was discontinued and the frequency nearly doubled to 60 minutes.

Route 87, which runs from Rancho Santa Margarita to Laguna Niguel, had its Saturday service discontinued.

Abbaszadeh estimates the study will be completed in 10 weeks. The findings will be delivered in a presentation to the City Council.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7844 or snewell@scng.com