June 23, 2026
Honorable Sheila F. Hanson
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court
700 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, California 92701
Re: City of Anaheim Response to the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report “Connecting Orange County to LAX: Evaluating Transportation Options” Dear Presiding Judge Hanson:
As the Interim City Manager of the City of Anaheim, I am pleased to respond on behalf of the City to the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report titled “Connecting Orange County to LAX: Evaluating Transportation Options”. The City appreciated the Grand Jury’s examination of transportation options between Orange County and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and its recognition of the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) as a regional transportation hub with multimodal connectivity. The responses contained in this letter were approved by the Anaheim City Council during regular session on June 23, 2026. The City’s responses address the Orange County Grand Jury Report’s findings and recommendations relevant to our City the report and are in accordance with the California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05.
FINDINGS:
Finding F2: “The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center presents a viable option for express bus service to LAX due to its location near Orange County attractions and multimodal connectivity, despite being forty miles from LAX.” Response: The City of Anaheim agrees with this finding. The City agrees that ARTIC is a major multimodal transportation hub that provides connectivity to Metrolink, Amtrak, and OCTA bus service, and major destinations within Anaheim. ARTIC’s regional transportation role, freeway accessibility, and existing infrastructure make it an appropriate location for evaluating future express transportation connections to LAX.
The City agrees that ARTIC is a major multimodal transportation hub that provides connectivity to Metrolink, Amtrak, and OCTA bus service, and major destinations within Anaheim. ARTIC’s regional transportation role, freeway accessibility, and existing infrastructure make it an appropriate location for evaluating future express transportation connections to LAX.
However, the City believes that the viability of any direct express service between ARTIC and LAX depends upon several factors that have not yet been fully evaluated, including demonstrated ridership demand, operational feasibility, financial sustainability, participation by Los Angeles World Airport (LAWA), and availability of funding. Additional analysis is necessary before determining whether such service would be feasible and sustainable.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommendation R4: By September 30, 2026, the Anaheim City Council should direct its Planning Department to collaborate with Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and Los Angeles World Airport (LAWA) on a business case study for FlyAway or similar services from the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center to LAX, with a case study submitted to LAWA. This study should include projected ridership, financial sustainability, infrastructure readiness, and community benefit to support funding of the proposed service. (F2) Response: The recommendation will not be fully implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with the following explanation.
The City supports efforts to improve regional transportation connectivity and airport access for residents and visitors. However, the City does not intend to initiate or fund a business case study regarding direct ARTIC-to-LAX service at this time.
On May 26, 2026, the City requested an extension pursuant to California Penal Code Section 933.05(b)(3) to allow for additional time for interagency coordination, evaluation of operational and financial considerations, and development of a comprehensive response to Recommendation R4. During that evaluation, City staff reviewed existing transportation options and contacted Anaheim AeroLink, a transportation provider that currently operates shuttle service between ARTIC and LAX.
Anaheim AeroLink indicated that demand for direct transportation service between ARTIC and LAX is currently limited and does not support fixed-route bus operations.
Existing service is therefore provided on an on-demand basis, and current ridership levels do not demonstrate a need for expanded fixed-route service.
The City further notes that an existing transportation option already connects ARTIC to LAX. Sufficient demand has not been demonstrated to warrant initiation of a City- sponsored business case study regarding direct ARTIC-to-LAX service.
Implementation of Recommendation R4 would also require coordination with multiple external agencies, including LAWA and OCTA, as well as evaluation of operational, regulatory, and financial considerations. The City does not currently have funding allocated for such a study.
The City recognizes ARTIC’s role as a regional transportation hub and remains willing to participate in discussions with OCTA, LAWA, Anaheim AeroLink, and other transportation partners regarding future mobility options. Should OCTA, LAWA or another transportation provider elect to pursue an evaluation of direct service to LAX, the City would will be willing to cooperate by providing information regarding ARTIC facilities and operations, subject to available resources.
Accordingly, the City concludes that initiation of a City-sponsored business case study is not warranted at this time.
I would like to express my appreciation for the effort of the Orange County Grand Jury and appreciate the opportunity to submit these comments. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Rafael Cobian, City Traffic Engineer at (714) 765-4991 or via email at [email protected].
Respectfully submitted,
Greg Garcia,
Interim City Manager
c: Judy Howard, Foreperson, Orange County Grand Jury