HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - (April 18, 2006) - Residents concerned about the growing transportation headaches affecting Orange County should tune in to KOCE-TV at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11. KOCE-TV, in conjunction with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) will hold a live panel, Q&A format program with participation from a live studio audience to address the growing traffic problem in Orange County. According to the census data, Orange County will see a population increase of 24 percent by the year 2030, increasing jobs by 27 percent and housing needs by 15 percent. All this translates into a staggering 39 percent increase in the already congested traffic of Orange County. The unique program invites members of the community to e-mail questions or comments to go@koce.org anytime before and during the program.

“With traffic a huge concern for many Orange County residents, KOCE-TV and OCTA is offering an opportunity for people to get the information they need from professionals who are working on a solution for traffic congestion,” said Mel Rogers, president and general manager of KOCE-TV. “KOCE-TV’s goal is to continue providing programming that addresses the most important issues facing our community as well as offer solutions.”

The program will feature KOCE-TV host and producer Pat Haslam with three transportation experts who will address the following topics in addition to answering viewers’ questions: the Measure M renewal vote, Metrolink, toll roads, general traffic congestion and carpool lanes. The panelists will include: Ken Ryan, Chairman of the Foothill/ Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency; Art Brown, Chairman of Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors; and Bill Campbell, Orange County Supervisor, Third District.

“It is fairly common for commuters to spend more than three hours a day fighting traffic in Southern California,” said Haslam. “Traffic congestion is a top priority because it is affects every aspect of our lives; from getting to work on time to getting to your child’s soccer game or getting home for dinner.”

The program will re-broadcast on KOCE-TV that same evening at 11:30pm, on Friday May 12 at 8:30am, and Sunday May 14 at 11:00am. This program is underwritten by the Orange County Transportation Authority, a multi-modal transportation agency serving Orange County.

About KOCE-TV
KOCE-TV, one of the most watched PBS stations in America, has an estimated 4.5 million viewers* each month, and offers a mix of both local and national programs. In addition, KOCE Classroom serves more than half-a-million K-14 students. The winner of hundreds of awards including Emmys and Community Service Awards, KOCE continues to be a leading resource for education, culture and local issues in Southern California. For more information, please visit www.koce.org.

* This figure was calculated by KOCE's program consultant and is based upon information obtained via PubTV Online.