Sustain LAist today!

Your monthly gift during our June member drive powers our local newsroom.
1,535 sustainers of 2,500 goal
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

1¢ Rides on Angels Flight Mark Railway's 109th Anniversary

Photo by KennyJewel via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.

In 2011, it might cost more than a quarter to hitch a ride on Angels Flight up--or down--Bunker Hill. But tomorrow, you can save 24 cents a ride thanks to a fun fare on the funicular to celebrate its 109th anniversary.

Rides will be a penny apiece on December 31st, according to Blogdowntown. The railway will operate on its normal schedule, from 6:45 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve.

Back in 1901, when Angels Flight opened, there "was a donation box at the top of the hill," so passengers could leave a donation to keep the railway running. Relying on public support for the next 109 years, right now the operators are figuring out how to bridge the gap of $125,000 between the cost to run the railway and their ticket revenue. And that donation box? A new one is going in at the top of Angels Flight, in case after your next 1 penny, or 25 cent, ride, you feel like throwing a few bucks their way.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today