August 30: This Date in Los Angeles Transportation History

2014:  Metro retires its last “high-floor” bus.

Stairs on the “high-floor” buses were originally designed to accommodate fuel tanks, air tanks, and other mechanical equipment under the cabin floor.  However, they posed serious challenges for the elderly and those with physical disabilities.  Metro counted 88,000 wheelchair boardings during the month of July, 2014 alone.

Newer model, “low-floor” buses are now found on all of Metro’s 170 bus lines.

More information can be found in the August 30, 2014 post on Metro’s The Source.