LOCAL TRANSIT OFFICIALS TRAVEL TO D.C. TO ADVOCATE FOR LOCAL TRANPORTATION INVESTMENTS Anaheim Transportation Network Officials Meet Elected & Administration Officials to Advocate for Local Public Transit Investments
ANAHEIM, Calif. (March 20, 2023) – Last week leaders from the Anaheim Transportation Network (ATN) were in Washington D.C. to meet with Senate and House offices, as well as Administration officials to advocate for local transportation investments. Their visit was part of the American Public Transportation Association’s Annual Legislative Conference.
“Public transportation is an essential component to the economic success of our region, connecting residents and visitors to employment centers, attractions, schools and healthcare facilities. Our routes also provide access to passenger rail service allowing our ridership to connect to Los Angeles, San Diego and other destinations,” said Diana Kotler, Executive Director, ATN.
ATN provides public transit service to 10 million passengers annually in portions of Anaheim, Buena Park, Garden Grove, Orange, and Santa Ana. Their fleet of 81 clean-fuel buses and 10 microtransit vehicles, play a critical role in connecting neighborhoods and employment centers in the greater Anaheim area to Amtrack, Metrolink, and OCTA routes.
“Our agency is on-track to be the first all-electric public transportation operation in California. With Anaheim set to play host to a portion of the 2028 Summer Olympic Games, our efforts in Washington D.C. will help ensure we are well-prepared to meet the expected transit demand and enhance mobility throughout the region,” said Kotler.
ANAHEIM TRANSPORTATION NETWORK SELECTED BY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES PROGRAM USDOT to Provide Technical Assistance to Support Transportation Planning for Anaheim Neighborhoods
ANAHEIM, Calif. (April 12, 2023) – A transportation enhancement project being led by the Anaheim Transportation Network (ATN) has been selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for inclusion the agency’s Thriving Communities program. The project is one of three selected in California and 64 nation-wide. The program provides two years of federal planning assistance for infrastructure projects that will expand affordable transportation options and strengthen communities.
“I’m so proud to have played a part in bringing this federal support to crucial local public transportation projects across Anaheim,” said Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46). “With the continued growth in population and transit ridership, these planning tools will help ensure safe, affordable and efficient access to zero-emission transit across our community—and will set us up for success as we continue to work towards a more accessible, more connected, and more sustainable future.”
This planning, technical assistance, and capacity building support provided through the Thriving Communities program, will enable ATN to connect with essential resources and pursue historic funding opportunities provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was passed by Congress in 2021 and signed by President Joe Biden. ATN’s Thriving Communities project will assist in several areas identified as facing transportation, equity, health, economic, and housing challenges. This includes areas experiencing poverty and limited access to transit options.
“Public transportation plays a critical role in ensuring that our community has access to job opportunities, healthcare sites, and other critical locations throughout our region. With growing housing opportunities and job generating developments being planned and built in our area, this program will provide us with the technical assistance, planning, and capacity building support to significantly enhance the transit options we provide,” said Diana Kotler, Executive Director of the Anaheim Transportation Network.
ATN’s Thriving Communities project will support providing efficient access to zero-emission transit, including robust public-private partnerships to ensure public engagement in planning the Katella Avenue bus rapid transit line. This proposed service, ANNA – Advancing Neighborhood Networks for All, is envisioned to connect residents to job centers on either end. Further, with Anaheim being selected as a co-host for the 2028 Olympic Games, transportation enhancements will assist with this expected increase in ridership.
ATN provides public transit service to 10 million passengers annually in portions of Anaheim, Buena Park, Garden Grove and Orange. ATN’s fleet of 81 clean-fuel buses and 10 microtransit vehicles, play a critical role in connecting neighborhoods and employment centers in the greater Anaheim area to Amtrack, Metrolink, and OCTA routes.
Crissy Ditmore poses dressed as early aviator Evelyn Bobbi Trout. Anaheim’s new electric fleet of on-demand transit service vehicles known as EVE (Everyone Ventures Everywhere), is named after her.(Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer)
On April 22, Earth Day, the Anaheim Transportation Network inched closer to its goal of becoming a 100% zero-emission service by unveiling a new electric fleet of on-demand transit vehicles at the Anaheim Family YMCA Community Complex. Known as EVE, an acronym for Everyone Ventures Everywhere, the electric vehicles will travel between the Anaheim region and John Wayne Airport.
“The goal is make sure that our economic development can occur, but our neighborhoods are preserved,” said Diana Kotler, chief executive officer of Anaheim Transportation Network.
The 10-passenger transit service vans are named for former Anaheim resident Evelyn Bobbi Trout, an American aviator who broke the women’s endurance flying record in 1929.
“She was one of the early, early female pilots at a time when there were no female pilots,” said Anaheim council member and local historian Stephen J. Faessel, “and she called Anaheim her home.”
In 1930, Trout earned her transport license, which allowed her to fly for hire. She reportedly flew a plane full of Mickey Mouse dolls for Walt Disney himself.
The vehicles joins existing vehicles fleets FRAN and ART, already operating in Anaheim as part of ATN’s #ElectrifyAnaheim initiative. ATN’s plan calls for 100% fleet electrification by 2026.
“We have a family of services,” Kotler said. “We have ART, which is our traditional fixed route public transit system. We have FRAN, a micro transit service that is specific to CtrCity Anaheim and the colony district.” ART, or Anaheim Regional Transportation, is a system of 19 interchangeable public routes in Orange County. Like EVE, FRAN is an acronym and the name of a historically prominent Anaheim woman.
“In fact, all of ATN’s products are tied to interesting people in the history of Anaheim,” said Faessel, who has published four works on the history of the city and is a founding member of the Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center.
FRAN stands for Free Rides Around the Neighborhood and is named for Francisca Avila-Rimpau, who Kotler said was the mother of Anaheim’s public library system. “She was also the first marriage for the state of California,” Kotler said. Avila-Rimpau raised 15 children, and all of the FRAN vehicles are named for her daughters and granddaughters. FRAN, which launched in 2019, is free to use, and rides can be requested using the A-Way WeGo app or by hailing in-person.
Rides for EVE can also be scheduled with A-Way WeGo, or reservations can be made by phone.
Anaheim Transportation Network was created as an air-quality mitigation measure, Kotler said, and the family of electric vehicles is one way ATN is working to meet that goal.
“By creating a fleet of zero emission vehicles, we insure that we comply with all the air-quality standards,” Kotler said.
Anaheim Transportation Network unveils a new electric fleet of on-demand transit service vehicles, including the Free Ride Around the Neighborhood, or FRAN, on Friday, April 21.(Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer) public library system.
The vehicles also cut back on the need for Anaheim’s many hotels and resorts to run their own diesel buses that used to inundate the city. “There was literally a plethora of diesel buses,” said Kotler. “By creating this system, we can ensure that the resorts can develop and grow, without the negative impacts.”
“In fact, all of ATN’s products are tied to interesting people in the history of Anaheim,” said Faessel, who has published four works on the history of the city and is a founding member of the Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center.
FRAN stands for Free Rides Around the Neighborhood and is named for Francisca Avila-Rimpau, who Kotler said was the mother of Anaheim’s public library system.
“She was also the first marriage for the state of California,” Kotler said.
Avila-Rimpau raised 15 children, and all of the FRAN vehicles are named for her daughters and granddaughters. FRAN, which launched in 2019, is free to use, and rides can be requested using the A-Way WeGo app or by hailing in-person. Rides for EVE can also be scheduled with A-Way WeGo, or reservations can be made by phone.
Anaheim Transportation Network was created as an air-quality mitigation measure, Kotler said, and the family of electric vehicles is one way ATN is working to meet that goal.
“By creating a fleet of zero emission vehicles, we insure that we comply with all the air-quality standards,” Kotler said.
Anaheim Transportation Network has unveiled an electric fleet of on-demand transit service vehicles.(Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer)
The vehicles also cut back on the need for Anaheim’s many hotels and resorts to run their own diesel buses that used to inundate the city.
“There was literally a plethora of diesel buses,” said Kotler. “By creating this system, we can ensure that the resorts can develop and grow, without the negative impacts.”
The Anaheim Transportation Network provides public transit service to 10 million passengers each year in Anaheim, parts of Buena Park, Garden Grove and Orange and is determined to reach full electrification of its fleet ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games, which the city will co-host.
“We are 65% there,” Kotler said. “We received funding from the state of California to electrify to 100% level, so that will be done by the end of 2026.”
ANAHEIM PUBLIC TRANSIT OPERATOR AWARDED $3.8 MILLION CLEAN VEHICLE & INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT
Funding Completes Effort to Become All-Electric Bus Fleet
ANAHEIM, Calif. (June 27, 2023) – In partnership with the City of Anaheim, the Anaheim Transportation Network (ATN) has been awarded a 3.6-million-dollar grant from the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) to expand the agency’s electric bus fleet, charging capacity and workforce development. This investment will complete ATN’s long-term goal of becoming one of the first all-electric public transit operators in the state.
“I am proud that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making it possible for Anaheim Transportation Network to purchase cleaner buses and invest in the charging and workforce training needed to make a complete transition to electric buses possible,” Senator Alex Padilla said. “I will continue leading the charge for investments that reduce air pollution and create healthier air for all our communities.”
Funds provided as part of the FTA’s Low or No-Emission (Low-No) Bus Program Projects, will assist in the purchase of ten 100% zero emission, battery-powered, 40’ buses and corresponding charging infrastructure. These vehicles are expected to be in operation in 2025.
“We need to continue to create good paying jobs, and keep our local economy strong, while ensuring practical access to quality public transportation,” Rep. Correa said. “This funding paves the way for a new generation of clean energy vehicles, providing Anaheim residents, tourists, and workers with sorely needed transportation solutions. I’m grateful to work alongside our local partners, especially Mayor Aitken and members of the Anaheim City Council, to ensure that Anaheim continues to get the federal support it deserves, for all those who work in Anaheim and call Anaheim home.”
ATN will partner with local colleges and universities that have Electrical and Mechanical Engineering programs to provide internships to eligible students for workforce experience in the emerging zero-emission transportation industry.
“As we modernize our fleet, we must also provide the necessary training and skills to our workforce that will enable them to continue the phenomenal job they do to ensure ATN vehicles are ready to serve our community,” said Diana Kotler, ATN CEO. “We want to thank U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and Congressman Lou Correa for their support to provide not only sustainable and clean-air public transit but also workforce development opportunities to our community.”
ATN’s public transportation network plays an important role in connecting residents, visitors and employees to numerous regional employment centers. In addition, ATN connects riders through the county’s regional transit hub, Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), to Metrolink commuter services and the interstate Amtrak system. ATN’s service is available seven days a week and tickets are available for instant purchase via ATN’s A-Way WeGo App.
