Bullet train planners reverse course, revive Anaheim service
Responding to an outpouring of criticism from Orange County business, civic and political leaders, California’s bullet train agency reversed itself Thursday and voted to pursue a direct service link to Anaheim in the project’s initial phase.
The commitment came as the California High Speed Rail Authority board, meeting in San Francisco, adopted a crucial $68-billion business plan for the controversial project.
When a revised, less expensive version of the plan was released last month, it called for initial southbound service to stop at Los Angeles’ downtown Union Station, foregoing long-promised, continuous service to the Orange County area near Disneyland and Angels Stadium.
As an alternative, state officials had said Anaheim-bound travelers could change to Metrolink or Amtrak trains, which would provide improved service on current routes.
-- Ralph Vartabedian, Los Angeles Times