Finding Aid for SCRTD files on Eastern Cities Transit, 1944-1974

Finding aid prepared by Noah Geraci with assistance from Angel Diaz; January 2016.
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Library and Archives
© 2016
One Gateway Plaza
Mail Stop: 99-15-1
Los Angeles, CA 90012
library@metro.net


Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Library and Archives
Title: Southern California Rapid Transit District files on Eastern Cities Transit
Creator: Southern California Rapid Transit District
Identifier/Call Number: 55-DPGTL
Physical Description: 1.25 Linear Feet (3 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1944 - 1974
Date (bulk): 1971 - 1974
Language of Material: English
Abstract: This collection focuses on the 1971 acquisition of Eastern Cities Transit, a small private bus company serving East Los Angeles, by the Southern California Rapid Transit District (SCRTD).
Physical Location: LACMTA Research Library and Archive

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact LACMTA Research Library and Archive to make an appointment.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the LACMTA Research Library and Archive. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the LACMTA Research Library and Archive as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement that may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the LACMTA Research Library and Archive collections.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], SCRTD files on Eastern Cities Transit, 55-DPGTL. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Research Library and Archive.

Acquisition Information

Eastern Cities Lines and Blue & White Bus Lines files were transferred to the SCRTD archives by Wayne Reinecke in the Planning Department on August 26, 1983, on the advice of Director of Schedules and Operations Planning Steve Parry. SCRTD was merged into LACMTA in 1993.

Processing Information

Processed by Noah Geraci with assistance from Angel Diaz; January 2016.

Biographical / Historical

Eastern Cities Transit was a privately owned bus company operating local service in East Los Angeles from 1949-1971. It was initially known as Belvedere Transit, Inc. SCRTD acquired the financially struggling company and assumed control of operations on September 1, 1971. Lines operating at the time of the acquisition were Kern Ave. Line 140, Ford Blvd. Line 141, and City Terrace Line 142, as well as school bus service.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of reports, memos, notes, and other records related to the 1971 acquisition of Eastern Cities Transit by SCRTD and operations immediately following the acquisition, as well as SCRTD’s purchase and sale of Eastern Cities facilities at 4534 Floral Drive in East Los Angeles.

Arrangement

This collection has been arranged in original order wherever possible. Many items in this collection were part of reports or study files compiled by SCRTD so original order tends to be topical rather than chronological. Where original order was unclear, material has been arranged chronologically and by function. The collection is arranged in the following series:
  1. Operations, 1971 - 1974
  2. Employees, 1964 - 1971
  3. Real Estate, 1944 - 1972
  4. Ephemera, circa 1960s - 1971

Related Materials

45-DPGTL, SCRTD files on Blue and White Bus Company of Watts

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Local transit -- Mergers -- East Los Angeles (Calif.)
Local Transit -- California -- Los Angeles County
Buses -- East Los Angeles (Calif.)
Industrial real estate -- East Los Angeles (Calif.)
Eastern Cities Transit

 

Series 1: Operations 1971-1974

 

Subseries 1.1: Acquisition July - September 1971

box 1, folder 1

Acquisition of Eastern Cities Transit Inc. July 30, 1971

Scope and Contents

Report and recommendation by SCRTD General Manager Jack Gilstrap regarding the acquisition of ECT. Attachments include the proposed operating plan, purchase agreement, fare policies, and SCRTD Executive Staff meeting minutes (July 27, 1971).
box 1, folder 2

Acquisition of Eastern Cities Transit Inc. July 30, 1971

Scope and Contents

Continuation of Gilstrap acquisition report attachments, including operations study and draft operating plans, capital grant application submitted to Department of Transportation Urban Mass Transit Administration
box 1, folder 3

Local Passenger Tariff No. 25 August 17, 1971

Scope and Contents

Document issued by SCRTD Manager of Operations George Goehler outlining passenger fares, transfer privileges, and rules and regulations for lines formerly operated by Eastern Cities (appended to Gilstrap acquisition report).
box 1, folder 4

Accounting and operations notes 1971

Scope and Contents

Revenue charts, memos and notes on schedules and financial matters (appendix to Gilstrap acquisition report).
box 1, folder 5

Takeover logistics August - September 1971

Scope and Contents

Memos, meeting minutes of Operations Program Coordinating Committee, schedules and cost estimates related to operational coordination of September 1, 1971 takeover of Eastern Cities by RTD.
 

Subseries 1.2: Origin and Destination Checks November 9, 1971

box 1, folder 6

Origin and Destination Checks November 9, 1971

Scope and Contents

Survey conducted by SCRTD employees documenting locations of boarding and exit by passengers on Eastern Cities lines. Divided into four folders due to length. Survey forms are accompanied by route schedules and transfer tickets.
box 1, folder 7

Origin and Destination Checks November 9, 1971

box 1, folder 8

Origin and Destination Checks November 9, 1971

box 2, folder 1

Origin and Destination Checks November 9, 1971

 

Subseries 1.3: Operations Study December 30, 1971

box 2, folder 2

Operations Study December 30, 1971

Scope and Contents

RTD staff study of Eastern Cities operations, including final reports, notes, timetables, maps, and copies of PUC applications
box 2, folder 3

Operations Study December 30, 1971

Scope and Contents

RTD staff study of Eastern Cities operations, including final reports, notes, timetables, maps, and copies of Public Utilities Commission applications.
 

Subseries 1.4: Schedule change November 1971 - April 1972

box 2, folder 4

Schedule change documents November 1971 - April 1972

Scope and Contents

Memos and notes related to changes in route schedules
 

Subseries 1.5: Eastern Cities Lines Current Study File July 1973

box 2, folder 5

Eastern Cities Lines Current Study File July 1973

Scope and Contents

File on Eastern Cities operations, including maps, notes, fare and revenue study, tables and graphs
box 2, folder 6

Eastern Cities Lines Current Study File July 1973

Scope and Contents

File on Eastern Cities operations, including maps, notes, fare and revenue study, tables and graphs
 

Subseries 1.6: Beardsley report January 9, 1974

box 2, folder 7

Beardsley report January 9, 1974

Scope and Contents

Report by Howard Beardsley on current status of Blue and White Bus Lines and Eastern Cities Transit following acquisition. Copy also in Blue and White collection.
 

Series 2: Employees 1964 - 1971

box 2, folder 8

General Employee Documents 1971 - 1974

Scope and Contents

Memos, union contract, employee lists
box 2, folder 9

Driver Testing Center reports 1964 - 1971

Scope and Contents

Reports of driver physical examinations and safety tests conducted by Driver Testing Center, 5801 E. Washington Blvd.

Conditions Governing Access

Contains protected health information. Access restricted to individuals seeking records of their own exams.
 

Series 3: Real Estate 1944 - 1972

 

Subseries 3.1: Early Property Records 1944 - 1950

box 3, folder 1

Early Property Records 1944 - 1950

Scope and Contents

Grant deeds and title insurance policies from property purchases made by Belvedere Transit, Inc.
 

Subseries 3.2: Appraisal, Purchase and Sale of 4534 Floral Drive 1971 - 1972

box 3, folder 2

David F. Culver January 19, 1971

Scope and Contents

Appraisal report on 4534 Floral Drive property by David F. Culver
box 3, folder 3

General Appraisal Company July 19, 1971

Scope and Contents

Appraisal report on 4534 Floral Drive property by General Appraisal Company
box 3, folder 4

Western Cities Appraisal Company July 26, 1971

Scope and Contents

Appraisal report on 4534 Floral Drive property by Western Cities Appraisal Company
box 3, folder 5

1971 purchase of 4534 Floral Drive January 1, 1971

Scope and Contents

Sale agreement, data sheets, property tax bills, title insurance receipt, and notes related to 1971 sale of 4534 Floral Drive property from Eastern Cities to SCRTD.
box 3, folder 6

1972 sale of 4534 Floral Drive March - August 1972

Scope and Contents

Correspondence, data sheets, bids, escrow agreement and notes regarding the August 1972 sale of 4534 Floral Drive to Saul and Rose Cofsky of Los Angeles.
 

Series 4: Ephemera circa 1960s - 1971

box 3, folder 7

Ephemera circa 1960s - 1971

Scope and Contents

Map and timetable for New East Los Angeles-Commerce Bus Line operated by ECT, circa 1960s.
Route map flier paste-up and photocopy, circa 1960s. Shows lines 1, 2, 3 (Kern, Ford, City Terrace).
Photocopy: “RTD Absorbs Cities Transit,” Passenger Transport, page 2, 1971.