Do you remember LA's Rapid Transit and the earlier Big Red Cars?

Question

Do you remember LA's Rapid Transit and the earlier Big Red Cars?

Answer 1

I grew up in LA during the 80's when the then RTD bus system was one huge extensive network covering 5 counties with some lines traveling a one way distance of over 75 miles. Todays transportation system in the LA region has a lot less coheisiveness and is highly split up amongst no less than 15 major operators each with differantly designed systems which creates an envorinment which is less than user friendly.  

Answer 2

Vaguely. I am a 'baby-boomer' and was raised in Burbank, CA. I don't ever remember riding one of the Big Red Cars, my parents said I did and my parents certainly did. I'm told that the trolley system easily connected the San Fernando Valley with downtown LA and even to the beach. One could go from the middle of the valley (Reseda) to the main station downtown in about 30 minutes. Of course, there was virtually no competition from motor vehicle traffic and no freeways.

My dad, who was a surveyor with the city of Los Angeles told me later on that the trolleys were done away with under pressure from the auto manufacturers and oil companies. The trolleys were either sold to Japan or buried in a tunnel.

And we suffer the consequences to this day.