Back to Business for the Next 30 Years

Angels Flight, the iconic Downtown L.A. railway, will reopen to the public by Labor Day, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced today.  

The world-renowned, 116-year-old funicular takes passengers on a scenic ride between Hill and Olive Streets on Bunker Hill. It will reopen after a three-year closure for a full-scale modernization with state-of-the-art safety upgrades made possible through a unique public-private partnership.

“Angels Flight is a cultural gem that tells an unforgettable story about the history of Los Angeles,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Today, we celebrate the rebirth of this iconic attraction — and once the modernization is complete, we will welcome millions of visitors from around the world to experience it with us. ”  

Originally opened in 1901, Angels Flight — the world’s shortest railway — has given more than 100 million rides along its hillside track. It closed temporarily in 2013, but earlier this year, the California Public Utilities Commission certified a plan to upgrade Angels Flight to meet the highest safety standards.

The Angels Flight Railway Foundation and ACS Group finalized an agreement last week to recondition, operate, and maintain the funicular for the next 30 years.

In addition to being an iconic tourist attraction, the funicular will serve as an important transit connection between the Pershing Square Metro station and the top of Bunker Hill — an area that includes Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Broad Contemporary Art Museum, MOCA, the Los Angeles Music Center, among other cultural institutions. As part of the agreement, Metro Tap Card holders will receive a 50% fare discount for the next three years.