Los Angeles’ Union Station celebrates 75 years
L.A. Metro held a rededication ceremony at the station’s Old Ticket Concourse on May 3 to mark the milestone. When the station opened in 1939, it accommodated approximately 13,000 rail travelers daily. That number today is closer to 75,000.
Seymour Rosen, who attended Union Station’s opening in 1939 and its 75th anniversary in 2014. Photo courtesy Gary Leonard for Metro.
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Daily News reported that Los Angeles’ Union Station marked its 75th anniversary on May 3.
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) held a rededication ceremony at the station’s Old Ticket Concourse, antique train cars were on exhibit and events featured live music and speeches from dignitaries. For the full story, click here.
WATCH:Union Station holds festivities to commemorate 75 years
When the station opened in 1939, it accommodated approximately 13,000 rail travelers daily. That number today is closer to 75,000, according to Los Angeles Times.
WATCH:Only known footage of L.A. Union Station opening shot by Ward Kimball
Ridership is expected to increase even more as Metro expands the subway and light rail network in Los Angeles County and renovates the station, and if the planned high-speed rail line begins running between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Christopher Hawthorne, architecture critic for the newspaper, reported on the history and architecture of the station. For the full story, click here.
More Rail
New York MTA Leverages Zoning Program to Advance Station Accessibility
Accessibility enhancements at Nevins St Station will be financed through a development agreement tied to the MTA's Zoning for Accessibility initiative.
Read More →
Virginia's $28.5B Transportation Plan Targets Transit and Rail
Approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the program supports ongoing infrastructure projects while providing new investments in transit, state of good repair and transportation alternatives.
Read More →
DOT: Brightline Corridor Incidents Fall 30% Following Federal Safety Upgrades
Safety improvements funded through a $25 million federal investment are credited with reducing trespassing and train-vehicle collisions along the Brightline Florida corridor.
Read More →
D Line Expansion Fuels Growth Across LA Metro's Rail System
Weekend rail ridership was especially strong, soaring 18% as riders embraced expanded access to jobs, entertainment, dining, and cultural destinations, said the agency. Total system ridership for May, including bus and rail, was 26,966,657.
Read More →
Southern California's Metrolink Debuts Contactless Fare Payment Pilot
Customers traveling between Redlands and Los Angeles can now tap their preferred payment method, including a credit or debit card, mobile wallet, or wearable device, at station validators before boarding and again while exiting.
Read More →
California's BART Approves FY27 Budget While Maintaining Service Levels
The budget covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, a period when pandemic emergency funds run out, the District faces a structural deficit of $375 million, and a regional transit funding measure may appear on the November ballot.
Read More →
Penn Station Transformation Advances with Design Unveiling
The historic redesign will transform the busiest transit hub in the Western Hemisphere from the tracks to the street level, creating a more efficient, cleaner, and functional experience for more than 600,000 daily commuters and millions of visitors.
Read More →
Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 Advances into Major Construction Stage
New York Governor Kathy Hochul joined leadership from the MTA, elected officials, and Harlem community leaders to break ground on the major construction stage of the transformative Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project.
Read More →
The Invisible Infrastructure of Passenger Flow
What a seat reservation system on Austria’s Railjet trains reveals about the future of rider experience, and why U.S. agencies should pay attention.
Read More →
Caltrain Board Approves FY27 Budget, Endorses Efficiency Measures
The move ensures Caltrain service will continue operating as usual in the near term, but long-term financial challenges remain for the rail agency absent a new revenue source.
Read More →