Though Angels Flight, a bright orange funicular billed as the shortest commuter ride in the U.S., only costs a quarter any time, today it has gone down to 1 cent in celebration of its 110 years of service, taking the elite, the ordinary, the shopper, the tourist and the infirm, up and down a small set of steps at Bunker Hill in downtown Los Angeles. The For $1 you can get a limited edition souvenir /  lottery ticket, but quantities are limited, as they have only issued 1,000.

If you bring that golden ticket across the street to the Grand Central Market, you’ll receive a Grand Central logo shopping bag and a chance to win the Angels Flight anniversary drawing. The winner receives the Angels enthusiast’s dream: a behind-the-scenes tour with a director of the Angels Flight railway and more souvenirs.

Jim Dawson, author of  a book on the landmark railway is selling & signing copies across the street at Grand Central Market, adding to the festivities of this low-key event and ride.  This is the second year of the Flight’s one penny promotion which began in 2010 to celebrate the 109th anniversary.

Angel Flight historical notes:

• In 2001, an 83-year-old Holocaust survivor died riding Angels Flight and 7  others were injured when the funicular’s  system failed.
• In March 2010 Angels Flight re-opened.
• In 2011 Angels Flight temporarily closed for repairs, but re-opened once again.
• Angels Flight, a high voltage fictional novel by Michael Connelly written in 1999, takes place at Angels Flight. Synopsis: When the body of high profile black lawyer Howard Elias is found inside one of the cars on Angels Flight, a cable railway in downtown Los Angeles, there’s not a detective in the city who wants to touch the case.
• Angels Flight in movies: M,  1951;  Kiss Me Deadly, 1955; The Muppets, 2011.