50 Cents to travel with ‘Angels’

The world’s shortest railway is going to cost twice as much to ride. Downtown L.A.’s Angels Flight is raising its fare from 25 cents to 50 cents starting next Monday. The distinctive orange and black rail cars, named Olivet and Sinai, shuttle passengers between Hill Street and the California Water Court atop Bunker Hill. The trip lasts about a minute and covers 298 feet.

Angels Flight; c. 1905, View with the Third Street Tunnel and an observation tower

Angels Flight operators say they need to boost fares to cover operating costs. People who have Metro Passes, though, can still ride the rail for a quarter. Frequent riders can also get a discount book, offering them 5 rides for 2 bucks.

Personally, a superb downtown afternoon is getting some tacos at Grand Central Market at the foot of Angels Fight, then riding the railway to the top of Bunker Hill to visit MOCA. Tacos, a cool train ride and art, all in a couple of hours. That’s worth my 50 cents.