Plans Derailed for Disneyland-area, Bullet Train

For years, there has been talk of a high-speed rail system in California that would whisk passengers from the San Francisco Bay Area to the resort area of Anaheim.

But now it appears that line will stop short of the Disneyland area, ending instead in Los Angeles – at least in the first phase, according to new plans released by the California High Speed Rail authority.

The rail agency has been looking at ways to make the $68-billion line more cost efficient and said new plans show the southern terminus at L.A.’s Union Station, which potentially could save $6 billion.

Passengers will still be able to travel by train from Los Angeles to Anaheim. But instead of getting to Anaheim at speeds of up to 220 mph, travelers will have to take slower Amtrak trains to make the 30-mile trek.

That’s potentially bad news for high-speed rail supporters and tourism officials counting on the line bringing millions of passengers annually directly to Anaheim, within miles of Disneyland and the surrounding resort area. The Walt Disney Co. has strongly advocated for the project.

There is still some hope of a high tech transportation system in the future. Anaheim Councilwoman Kris Murray said Anaheim is still working on getting faster trains between L.A. and Anaheim – just not the “electrified” lines that are projected to be so expensive.

“We (on the City Council) are working closely with the resort district for enhanced train service to better serve Anaheim and the region,” Murray said. “We still believe that can happen with trains that travel 90 to 110 mph, just not the 220 mph of the electrified lines.”

Anaheim is also still moving forward with its transportation hub, called ARTIC, a $200-million project that will serve trains, buses and taxis in the region. An open house at the site between Angel Stadium and the Honda Center for potential contractors is planned May 2.