July 15: This Date in Los Angeles Transportation History

1996:  Metro Red Line Segment 2A, the portion from Alvarado Street to Wilshire/Western, begins regular operations following a weekend of opening ceremonies.

Tunnel boring machine at Wilshire & Alvarado, November 19, 1987 (Click for more information)

Metro staff tabulate a total of 85,000 boardings for the two-day event.

Later renamed the Metro Purple Line, Segment 2A is the trunk of the Westside Subway Extension that will eventually reach Westwood.

LACMTA CEO Joseph Drew states that the opening will increase anticipated Metro Red Line daily ridership from 22,000 to 40,000 in the months ahead.

Additional information about the opening can be found in the July-August, 1996 issue of Metro Family employee news magazine.