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May 28: This Date in Los Angeles Transportation History

  • Written by Kenn Bicknell

1971:  U.S. Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe announces that steam-powered transit buses will operate experimentally in service in the coming months in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland.

SCRTD took delivery of a prototype steam turbine-powered bus on March 1, 1972.

More information can be found in the July 9, 1971 issue of RTD Flyer, the Southern California Rapid Transit District employee news magaziner.

A lengthy description and video of this project can be found in our post, “How Los Angeles Began Its Experiment With Steam-Powered Buses…Plus, Its Rare Documentary Film.”

  • Last Updated June 3, 2024

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