Transit Equity Day in LA: A Day of Burgers, Murals, Stairs, and Coffee
Tuesday was Transit Equity Day, a day when rides on public transit around Southern California were free. This unique event was held to commemorate the birthdate of Rosa Parks, the Black woman who refused to give up her bus seat for a White person in 1955, sparking the Civil Rights Movement.
I decided to take part in the celebration, albeit with a late start. After missing a train, I finally boarded a westbound Metrolink at 11:30 a.m. and arrived at Union Station at 12:30 p.m. My original plan was to venture out to West L.A. for lunch at the Apple Pan, but instead, I headed to Rita’s Deluxe, a compact storefront operation with a limited menu and a six-stool counter. The double cheeseburger hit the spot, and the unique half-and-half option of fries and cheese curds was a delightful surprise.
Next, I headed to the Central Library, where I spent an hour working on my laptop and responding to emails. Among the emails was one from Flower Sheets, who thanked me for my column on her husband, Pomona-born artist Tony Sheets, and was delighted that I’d located his two large-scale murals on the west and east sides of the former L.A. Times parking structure.
The History of World Commerce
I decided to visit Tony Sheets’ other mural, "The History of World Commerce," which is located inside the World Trade Center. The mural is a sprawling, 1,000-foot-long concrete frieze that wraps around the second-level deck and walkways, offering dozens and dozens of vignettes depicting the history of world commerce, from cavemen skinning animals to modern-day factories and rockets.
The mural is reminiscent of WPA murals of the 1930s and has to be seen to be believed. It’s a testament to Tony Sheets’ talent and dedication to his craft. I hope that if the building closes or is converted into housing, as is being discussed, that this mural somehow survives.
A Day of Entertainment
After visiting the mural, I headed to the subway station and rode to Seventh Street, where I changed trains. The day’s entertainment had only begun. A buff, shirtless, tattooed man in leather pants was blasting music, singing along, and dancing on the platform. Once aboard the train, he occasionally swigged from a bottle of orange juice and took selfies with a friendly, normal-seeming woman from Texas.
Coffee and Conclusion
I ended my day with a visit to Bru, a new L.A. coffee shop in Los Feliz, where I logged another hour on the clock, locating notes for upcoming columns, sending emails, and beginning this article. Despite the challenges and unexpected twists, it was a fun little adventure in the big city.
More Metrolink
A few changes on the train network’s San Bernardino Line went into effect on January 27. Two notable ones: Montclair now has five additional daytime round-trips to L.A., and the last train of the night, a 9:40 p.m. train east from Union Station that was eliminated in October, has been restored.
Conclusion
Transit Equity Day was a unique and enjoyable experience. It was a day to appreciate the convenience and accessibility of public transportation in Los Angeles and to celebrate the legacy of Rosa Parks. Despite the challenges and unexpected twists, it was a fun little adventure in the big city.
FAQs
- What is Transit Equity Day?
- Transit Equity Day is a day when rides on public transit around Southern California are free, commemorating the birthdate of Rosa Parks.
- What is the significance of Rosa Parks’ birthdate?
- Rosa Parks’ birthdate is February 4, 1913, and she is known for refusing to give up her bus seat for a White person in 1955, sparking the Civil Rights Movement.
- What are some of the changes on the Metrolink train network’s San Bernardino Line?
- Montclair now has five additional daytime round-trips to L.A., and the last train of the night, a 9:40 p.m. train east from Union Station that was eliminated in October, has been restored.
