Skip to content
Metro Transportation Research Library and Archive: Click to return to homepage
  • About
    • About Us
    • News and Updates
    • Our Primary Resources in Action
    • Policies
  • Daily Headlines
  • LA Transportation History
    • Past Visions: 1920s
    • Past Visions: 1930s
    • Past Visions: 1940s
    • Historic Traffic Plans: 1911-1957
    • Archive
      • Online Archive of California
      • Search Digitized Material
        • Search California Highways and Public Works Magazine: 1924-1967
        • Search CEO Briefs & Every Voice Counts 2005-present
        • Search Electric Railway Journal 1884-1931
        • Search Employee News Magazines: 1918-2009
        • Search Metro Library’s Digitized Documents
        • Search Metro’s Board Records 1993-2015 and its Predecessors Meeting Minutes 1951-1993
        • Search Metro Board Correspondence/Board Box 1993-present
        • Search Los Angeles Metro Press Releases 1993 – Present
  • Resources to Know
    • Start Here: An Approach to Transportation Research
    • Transportation Data and Related Resources
    • Databases and eBooks
    • Environmental Studies
    • Metro Library Knowledge Hub
    • Search the Library Catalog
  • About
    • About Us
    • News and Updates
    • Our Primary Resources in Action
    • Policies
  • Daily Headlines
  • LA Transportation History
    • Past Visions: 1920s
    • Past Visions: 1930s
    • Past Visions: 1940s
    • Historic Traffic Plans: 1911-1957
    • Archive
      • Online Archive of California
      • Search Digitized Material
        • Search California Highways and Public Works Magazine: 1924-1967
        • Search CEO Briefs & Every Voice Counts 2005-present
        • Search Electric Railway Journal 1884-1931
        • Search Employee News Magazines: 1918-2009
        • Search Metro Library’s Digitized Documents
        • Search Metro’s Board Records 1993-2015 and its Predecessors Meeting Minutes 1951-1993
        • Search Metro Board Correspondence/Board Box 1993-present
        • Search Los Angeles Metro Press Releases 1993 – Present
  • Resources to Know
    • Start Here: An Approach to Transportation Research
    • Transportation Data and Related Resources
    • Databases and eBooks
    • Environmental Studies
    • Metro Library Knowledge Hub
    • Search the Library Catalog

June 4: This Date in Los Angeles Transportation History

  • Written by Kenn Bicknell

1974:  California’s Proposition 5 passes statewide as well as in Los Angeles County, paving the way for a portion of gasoline taxes to fund rail rapid transit construction.

Proposition 5

The vote for the “Highways and Mass Transit Guideways Legislative Constitutional Amendment” is 60.3% in favor of the measure at a time when only a simple majority is required for passage.

Proposition 5’s official ballot summary states that the measure:

“Extends present use of revenues from motor vehicle fuel taxes and license fees for highway construction to permit use for research, planning, and construction of mass transit guideways and mitigation of environmental effects of each. Unless approved by majority vote of area affected, funds may only be used for research and planning. Continues existing statutory formula for allocation of revenues to cities, counties, and areas of state until altered by Legislature. Permits up to 25% of area revenues available to be used to pay for voter-approved bond issues. Deletes obsolete provisions.”

Proposition 5 repeals what was then Article XXVI of the California Constitution, replacing it with an entirely new Article XXVI.

  • Last Updated June 3, 2024

Metro's Primary Resources

Part of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Facebook-f Flickr Threads Youtube Envelope

Quick Links

  • Transportation Data and Related Resources
  • Environmental Studies
  • Knowledge Hub
  • Start Here: An Approach to Transportation Research
  • Visit metro.net
  • Transportation Data and Related Resources
  • Environmental Studies
  • Knowledge Hub
  • Start Here: An Approach to Transportation Research
  • Visit metro.net

Contact Us

1 Gateway Plaza, 15th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012

  • Email: library@metro.net
  • Employee Hours: 10AM to 4PM, Monday through Thursday
  • General Public: Open by Appointment
Vintage transit poster that reads Rail Rapid Transit now! Contains image of speeding red rail car to convey urgency.

Copyright © 2025 Metro

 

Loading Comments...