City Council Office
May 5, 2026
The Honorable Sheila Hanson Presiding Judge of the Superior Court Orange County Grand Jury 700 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701
Mayor, Fred Jung Mayor Pro Tem, Nicholas Dunlap Councilmember, Shana Charles Councilmember, Jamie Valencia Councilmember, Ahmad Zahra RE: City of Fullerton Response to the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report: “Connecting Orange County to LAX: Evaluating Transportation Option” Dear Presiding Judge Hanson:
The City of Fullerton has reviewed the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report titled “Connecting Orange County to LAX: Evaluating Transportation Options.” We appreciate the Grand Jury’s thorough study of transportation options between Orange County and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and its recognition of the Fullerton Park & Ride site as a viable candidate for direct express bus service. As required by California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05, the City of Fullerton submits the following responses to the finding and recommendation relevant to our jurisdiction.
FINDINGS:
F1. Several Orange County locations meet the criteria for express bus pick-up sites, being approximately twenty-five miles from LAX and near major freeways. These locations are Fullerton Park & Ride, Buena Park Mall, and former Westminster Mall.
Response: The respondent agrees with the finding.
The City agrees that Fullerton Park & Ride meets the geographic and infrastructure criteria identified by the Grand Jury. The site is approximately 25 miles from LAX, near major freeway access, and is the subject of the ongoing Orangethorpe Transit Village Conceptual Study — a planning initiative led by OCTA in partnership with the City exploring transit-supportive mixed-use development at the currently underutilized 9-acre site.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
R1. By September 30, 2026, the City of Fullerton should direct its Planning Department to collaborate with Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) on a business case study for FlyAway® or similar services from Fullerton Park & Ride (Orangethorpe Transit Village) to LAX, with a case study submitted to LAWA. This study should include projected ridership, financial sustainability, infrastructure readiness, and community benefits to support funding of the proposed service.
Response: The recommendation will be implemented.
The City will direct the Planning Department to participate in outreach to OCTA and LAWA and to provide site access, planning data from the Orangethorpe Transit Village Conceptual Study, and staff coordination in support of this process. The City anticipates that any formal business case study would be led and funded by OCTA and/or LAWA, given their respective roles as regional transit authority and airport operator. Any financial contribution from the City would require separate Council action. The City looks forward to participating in this regional evaluation.
Conclusion
The City of Fullerton welcomes the Grand Jury’s focus on improving regional transportation connectivity between Orange County and LAX. The identification of Fullerton Park & Ride as a candidate site aligns with OCTA’s ongoing planning work through the Orangethorpe Transit Village Conceptual Study and reflects the site’s strategic location and transit potential. The City agrees with Finding F1 and commits to implementing Recommendation R1 by the September 30, 2026 deadline.
Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Eddie Manfro, City Manager, at (714) 738-6310 or via email at [email protected].
Respectfully,
Fred Jung
Mayor
Cc: Orange County Grand Jury
700 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Eddie Manfro, City Manager
303 West Commonwealth Avenue, Fullerton, California 92832-1775 (714) 738-6311 [email protected] www.cityoffullerton.com 22 2
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