Birmingham Railway and Electric Company

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Birmingham Railway and Electric Company was both a street car and electricity provider in Birmingham, Alabama.

Created in 1890 after the consolidation of several street railway operators, including the Birmingham Street Railway Company:

Highland Avenue and Belt Railroad Company 1885 1890
East Lake Land Company 1886-1890
East Birmingham Land Company 1887-1890
Bessemer and Birmingham Railroad Company 1887-1890
Enselt Company 1887-1890

In 1940 BREC becaome Birmingham Electric Company.

The company faced increased pressure from car after World War II and ridership declined. By the 1950s streetcar operations gave way to bus service in the city. Some cars (Presidents' Conference Car A13's 800-847) were sold off to the Toronto Transit Commission.

BEC changed their name to Birmingham Transit Company in 1951. In 1972, the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority took over public transit operations.