November 29: This Date in Los Angeles Transportation History

1885:  The first Santa Fe Train arrives in Los Angeles from San Bernardino, breaking Southern Pacific Railroad’s monopoly.  Competition makes rail fare from Kansas City drop from $125 to $10 in just one month, contributing to the influx of new residents to Southern California.

1910:  City Railway Company of Los Angeles is incorporated, Los Angeles County incorporate file no. 12161.  The company is dissolved December 31, 1936.

1925:  The first train enters the new Pacific Electric subway tunnel linking downtown Los Angeles and Echo Park. More information can be found here.

2001:  The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors approves “Metro Gold Line” as the new name for the Pasadena Blue Line.  The light rail line serving downtown, Chinatown, Lincoln Heights, Highland Park, South Pasadena and Pasadena broke ground on June 8, 2000 and later opens on July 25, 2003.

More information regarding the renaming can be found in the November 29, 2001 issue of MyMetro employee news digest.