Anaheim launches transit website highlighting present and future mobility

It’s not everyday that a City launches a website dedicated solely to the transit options available, whether they be bus or rail.

It’s certainly not a normal day when an Orange County City launches a website dedicated solely to the transit options available, whether they be bus or rail, or in this case, rapid buses, high-speed rail, and monorails.

The City of Anaheim has recently launched a new website called AConnext, highlighting the future of transit in the Resort Area, as well as providing information for options currently in place, such as OCTA, Metrolink, Amtrak, and Anaheim Resort Transit (ART). The website serves as a one stop shop for residents and transit geeks alike to find all the information they need related to the new and upcoming projects that are sure to excite any diehard transit fans, along with the average businessman looking for ways to get around the Resort Area without driving.

OCTA’s Board Actions Newsletter covers the features:

The Aconnext website for Anaheim consolidates up-to-date transportation information regarding:

• Anaheim Regional Intermodal Transportation Center, a transportation hub set to begin construction in 2011

• Anaheim Rapid Connection system, which is a planned fixed guideway in the environmental process, will provide transfers to Metrolink, Amtrak, local bus and planned high-speed rail service

• A planned high-speed rail system with the first segment connecting Los Angeles to Anaheim

Whether you have been following the flight of Anaheim’s Go Local project or just want to find a new way to get to Disneyland, the website is definitely worth a look. Not only is there a plethora of information, the website also features an interesting component to persuade people that taking “transit gives your time back.”

Under that page, the website offers different instances in which taking transit benefits you over driving. My favorite of course, being the example of Gameday.

Hey, any website that can convince me to take the train and get to Cheesecake Factory faster is cool in my book, even if I am going to “TRIANGE STATION” instead of "Triangle Station."

Overall, the website looks great, and I hope the city will continue to update it as the projects continue. Whether or not you agree with the plans, you can’t help but appreciate the organization. I hope Anaheim’s website will serve as a role model for the way Cities can highlight the mobility that makes their community sustainable. Kudos, Anaheim!

So when is the Santa Ana version launching?

James Suazo is a contributing writer and full-time student at California State University, Long Beach. Contact James at jaisuazo@gmail.com.