1955: Disneyland opens, and Metropolitan Coach Lines begins carrying between 250 and 400 passengers per day on regular and special service to the Magic Kingdom.
Walt Disney with Mouseketeers at launch of Disneyland Express, November 19, 1955 (Click for more information)
“Traffic is so heavy that doubles and triples are almost invariably operated on many schedules from Los Angeles, especially the 9:45 a.m. express. travel there still fluctuates, however, to the point of not being very predictable. Direct service is operated to Disneyland from Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, Downey, Santa Fe springs, Norwalk, Buena Park, Fullerton, Anaheim, Orange, and Santa Ana. connecting service is available from Montebello, Whittier, La Habra, Brea, Long Beach, Pasadena, Riverside, and other communities.”
Additional information can be found in the August, 1955 issue of Metropolitan Coach News.
2004: A groundbreaking ceremony is held at Union Station for the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension project.
The $898.8 million design-build project will later connect Union Station to stations in Little Tokyo, Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles.
At the ceremonies, U.S. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard states:
“Today’s groundbreaking marks the beginning of our victory celebration — a victory that will help to enhance the quality of life of families in Little Tokyo, the Arts District, Boyle Heights and the East Los Angeles Community.”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina notes that:
“This six-mile extension of the Gold Line will serve the most highly transit-dependent community anywhere in this county. It will connect to the entire regional system and we’re very, very proud of that.”
Several other speakers, including Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn, praise the project as an historic day for Los Angeles and its Eastside residents.
The construction of the entire Gold Line Eastside Extension project is well documented, with hundreds of construction photos available here. More information can be found in the July 17, 2004 issue of MyMetro employee news digest as well as Metro’s official press release.
