ANAHEIM, CA - (July 22, 2010) - AConnext.com Provides Current Transit Information in One Location and Details Future Transit Initiatives

AConnext.com, a new website that brings together current transit information into one user-friendly site and provides detailed information about new transit initiatives, was unveiled today by City of Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle at the Anaheim Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau’s Annual "Destination Outlook" meeting at the Hilton in Anaheim.

AConnext.com allows visitors to the site to plan trips using existing transit options in Anaheim and Orange County and provides examples of how commuters and travelers can use the services to their advantage.  In addition, the site details planned or proposed transit projects for Anaheim and Orange County, including the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), California High-Speed Rail, and the newest transit initiative, Anaheim Rapid Connection (ARC), a fixed-guideway system connecting ARTIC to Anaheim’s Platinum Triangle and Anaheim Resort area.

"AConnext.com brings to life Anaheim's vision for a transit future," said Mayor Pringle.  "As one of the largest cities in the United States, with more than 20 million visitors a year, Anaheim is taking an active role in cutting-edge transit solutions while providing residents and visitors with transit information they can use now."

A key feature of the site is encouraging residents and visitors to take transit today. AConnext.com simplifies the process by providing one portal for information to OCTA buses, Metrolink, Amtrak and Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) services, as well as the ability to check schedules, define routes and purchase tickets.

ARTIC
ARTIC, a state-of-the-art transportation facility, will serve as a hub for Orange County and the entire Southern California region.  Located within the Platinum Triangle, ARTIC will provide a centralized location for Orange County transit services including Amtrak, Metrolink, bus rapid transit, local and express bus, airport flyaway services, bike and pedestrian facilities, and future California High-Speed Rail connection, and is the potential transit provider for the conceptual Cal-Nevada Superspeed Train service.  ARTIC has secured more than $180 million in funding, is currently undergoing state and federal environmental clearance processes, and is slated to be completed by 2013.

ARC
ARC will offer commuters and travelers a rapid connection to the City’s major destinations without ever needing a car.  ARC is a proposed fixed-guideway system that will connect the Platinum Triangle and The Anaheim Resort, with its more than 20 million annual visitors and projected 78,000 employees and 50,000 residents by 2035, to ARTIC and the regional and statewide transit systems.  Currently in the environmental review process, ARC is evaluating several alignments to serve the major businesses, residents and offices within this five-square-mile area.  Current proposals have two stations within the Platinum Triangle and 2 to 3 stations within The Anaheim Resort.  ARC is slated to be completed by 2016.

"At the doorstep of ARTIC are four of the largest sports, convention and tourism venues in the western United States and all are within a five square-mile area," said Mayor Pringle, "Anaheim Rapid Connection is the final piece to a true transit future and will connect guests, sports fans and conventioneers to their destinations while relieving congestion on our local freeways and improving air quality in the future."
 
California High-Speed Rail
California High-Speed Rail will be an 800-mile statewide rail system connecting the major metropolitan areas of the state and one of the keys to mobility in the future.  The Los Angeles to Anaheim section is part of the first phase of the statewide system, providing a connection from the Anaheim station at ARTIC to Los Angeles Union Station.  High-speed rail will allow passengers to travel from Los Angeles to Anaheim in approximately 20 to 25 minutes and from San Francisco to Anaheim in approximately three hours, and will significantly reduce traffic and improve air quality in the region.  The Los Angeles to Anaheim link is a 29 mile segment that could break ground by 2012 and open prior to 2020.

Media Contact: Ruth Ruiz 714.765.5060more city news

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ABOUT ANAHEIM – The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation's premier municipalities and is one of California's most populous cities. Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 343,000 residents and more than 2,950 City employees. The municipal corporation's annual budget is $1.5 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., L-3 Communications, Pacific Sunwear, and Disneyland Resort. Successful sports franchises call Anaheim home, including Angels Baseball, Anaheim Ducks, the U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team, the 2012 Olympic Games Silver Medal winning U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, and the Professional Arena Soccer League Anaheim Bolts. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, LEED-certified and the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, City National Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. In addition, Anaheim embraces its vibrant cultural arts community, including the world-renowned Anaheim Ballet. Annually, Anaheim welcomes millions of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play. For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net.

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