Big Blue Bus is shifting gears with a service overhaul in Santa Monica aimed to match the evolving lifestyle of the city's commuters. The local transit authority announced a series of public hearings this April, devoting them to gather community feedback on the suggested improvements.
The proposed five-year plan, dubbed Brighter Blue, focuses on increasing bus frequency and extending service hours as per the passenger's input gleaned from various focus groups. According to the City of Santa Monica, Director of Transportation Anuj Gupta expressed his anticipation for the changes, saying, "We are advancing our engagement process to ensure that future Big Blue Bus service aligns with community needs, promotes greater access to high-quality bus and rail service in our region and attracts new riders to our system."
Riders can expect buses to swing by every 15 minutes on major routes, and they can also look forward to expanded service windows - 5 a.m. till 11 p.m. on weekdays, and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the weekends. Additionally, certain weekday-only routes will soon see weekend action. Connectivity with Metro Rail stations and the future LAX People Mover is also on the checklist.
Big Blue Bus is inviting all comments and considerations via two public hearings, one online on April 16th and the other, an in-person session slated for April 20th at Virginia Avenue Park. Those who can't chime in at the live events have the option to pitch in their two cents through an online survey or by mailing their thoughts directly to the transit office. Feedback will be welcomed until May 24, as per the City of Santa Monica.
Need a lift to the in-person hearing? Route 7 will get you there. For those driving, parking's a cinch at Pico Boulevard and 23rd Street. Remember, if you need ADA accommodations or a translator, Big Blue Bus has got your back, but give them a heads-up at least three days in advance. Spanish speakers can also have their say as live interpretation will be waiting on standby. Details on the planned service changes are up for grabs at the Big Blue Bus website, brigherbluebbb.com.
