May 17: This Date in Los Angeles Transportation History

1971:  Approval of the 13-page El Monte-Los Angeles Exclusive Express Busway’s Environmental Impact Report is announced by the U.S. Transportation Secretary John Volpe.

The El Monte Busway project is a joint effort of Southern California Rapid Transit District and the State Department of Public Works, Division of Highways.

It allows buses to make the 11-mile trip from El Monte to downtown Los Angeles along the Southern Pacific railroad right-of-way in 18 minutes.

The same trip via freeway takes 35 to 45 minutes during peak commute hours.

More information can be found in the June 1, 1971 issue of RTD Flyer, the Southern California Rapid Transit District employee news magazine.