From a City of Anaheim press release:

ANAHEIM, Calif. (April 30, 2002) - A new transit system for the Anaheim resort is set to roll for the first time May 24, the latest step in The Anaheim Resort district's transformation into a world-class destination for visitors and convention business.

The Anaheim Transportation Network, the non-profit organization that will manage the system, and Coach USA, the system operator, announced an agreement last week that will allow service to begin in time for the peak of the 2002 tourist season. The financing arrangement assures the financial stability of the new Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) service during its first year of operation. The deal caps eight years of effort by the Anaheim community to build a shuttle service that will carry visitors to Anaheim's many attractions.
The new ART service will operate a fleet of clean-fuel propane and electric trolley buses on the streets of The Anaheim Resort district, giving visitors quick and easy transportation between hotels, restaurants, convention facilities and attractions. The system will provide frequent service on eight different routes, with pickups as often as every 10 minutes during the peak morning and evening hours. Bold resort themed vehicles and high quality service will be the hallmarks of the ART system. It will replace the shuttle services now offered by many of the hotels surrounding the Disney theme parks and the Anaheim Convention Center, offering guests faster and more convenient service to a wider variety of destinations.

" The new Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) shuttle provides visitors with high quality and professional service packaged in a fun resort vehicle. It is the best of all possible worlds for the Anaheim Resort's business and leisure travelers." said Charles Ahlers, president Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau.

The new shuttle system will be supported by rider fares, and will not depend on subsidies from any public source. Riders, primarily hotel guests, will pay $2 a day for unlimited travel on the system. Children 9 and under ride free.
The financing deal negotiated last week will cover the one-time startup costs of the system. Coach USA, a Stagecoach Company agreed to defer billings for some of the costs during the first year of operation. The agreement gives the Anaheim Transportation Network a line of credit of up to $1.3 million. Money will be repaid by ridership revenue.

"The City of Anaheim is pleased to see the private sector's commitment to the Anaheim Transportation Network, and applaud the efforts of Coach USA and the hospitality establishments in assisting The Anaheim Resort to position itself as one of the nation's premier visitor and convention destinations," said David M. Morgan, Anaheim City manager.

The agreement was required because many of the hotels in the resort area had made prior agreements to provide free shuttle service to Disneyland for their guests. These agreements expire at the end of the year. The arrangement with Coach USA will allow the system to hit the road before the peak of the tourist season this summer, said Laurie Smith, Executive Director of the Anaheim Transportation Network. "Our strong partnership with Coach USA will result in the delivery of world class transportation service."

"Coach USA is a partner in the development of this resort-wide transportation solution and is committed to provide the necessary financial backing to start the ART service in time for the busy summer season," said Bryan O'Connell, General Manager of the local Anaheim Office. Coach USA is the largest provider of motor coach services in North America and is a subsidiary of Stagecoach Group, plc. Coach USA operates in over 120 cities in 35 states, provinces, and territories in the U.S, Canada, and Mexico. Services provided by Coach USA include motor coach charters, sightseeing tours, airport shuttles, taxi services, contract services for municipalities and corporations, commuter transportation, and regional intercity transportation. For more information about Coach USA, please visit www.coachusa.com.