City of Santa Monica – Big Blue Bus
Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA)
Public Outreach Summary Report
DRAFT – May 25, 2024
Prepared for
Prepared by
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. PROJECT OVERVIEW......................................................................................................... 3
2. OUTREACH TOOLS AND COLLATERALS.............................................................................. 3
2.1 Fact Sheet............................................................................................................... 3
2.2 StoryMap ............................................................................................................... 3
3. FOCUS GROUP MEETINGS ................................................................................................ 4
3.1 Notification ............................................................................................................ 6
4. PUBLIC WORKSHOPS........................................................................................................ 8
4.1 Notification ............................................................................................................ 8
4.2 Virtual Public Workshop ....................................................................................... 11
4.3 In-Person Public Workshop................................................................................... 16
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS .......................................................................................................... 26
5.2 Notification .......................................................................................................... 27
5.3 Virtual Public Hearing........................................................................................... 29
4.3 In-Person Public Hearing....................................................................................... 32
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS SURVEY..................................... 34
6.1 Draft Recommendations Survey ........................................................................... 36 Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 3
1. PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Brighter Blue initiative aims to improve transit service for riders in Santa Monica and West Los Angeles as part of the City of Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus (BBB) Comprehensive Operational Analysis.
Serving over 30,000 daily riders across a 58-square mile service area, BBB is integral to the region's transportation network, providing daily connections to LA Metro Rail stations. As travel patterns shift in response to the pandemic, BBB recognizes the need to adapt and evolve, seizing these changes as opportunities for growth to deliver high-quality service that aligns with excellence. The Brighter Blue COA addresses current service conditions impacted by COVID-19, emerging travel behavior trends, and regional changes. The proposed Final Service Plan is aimed at increasing ridership and enhancing the customer experience, new service designs reflecting the current mobility landscape, and recommendations to improve the transit experience.
Outreach to BBB riders, key stakeholder organizations, and the public was an important part of the Brighter Blue COA effort. This report details the outreach approach, strategies, and methods implemented to achieve robust public participation in developing a final service plan for BBB. Outreach included development of multilingual materials and communication tools (surveys and website); as well as focus group meetings with key stakeholders and two rounds of public meetings. Outreach strategies and approaches were outlined in the Public Participation Plan (PPP) that was developed at the beginning of the COA process. To view the PPP, see Appendix A.
Rider Survey
Prior to public outreach kicking off for this COA, the technical planning team conducted a rider survey and garnered 1,127 responses. A summary of the rider survey results is available in Appendix A.
2. OUTREACH TOOLS AND COLLATERALS
2.1 Fact Sheet
A project fact sheet was developed and included a project overview, project map, timeline, and contact information for the project team. The fact sheet was available in physical and digital formats and was posted on the project website. Fact sheets were translated and made available in English and Spanish. See Appendix A for the fact sheet.
2.2 StoryMap
An interactive StoryMap was developed to enhance the depth of project details available on the project's webpage. A vanity URL (brighterbluebbb.com) was also selected to provide an easier way for the public to access the website. This engaging tool facilitated easy navigation and showcased project information through an interactive map and multimedia tools, highlighting both existing conditions and proposed concepts. The StoryMap tool was embedded in the project website for convenient access.
Additionally, all messaging and project materials were translated and made accessible in both English and Spanish. The StoryMap can be accessed by visiting the site: brighterbluebbb.com.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 4
Figure 1 Brighter Blue Website and Interactive Map
3. FOCUS GROUP MEETINGS
As part of the Brighter Blue COA process, BBB staff and project team members met with several stakeholder groups to solicit their input on desired service improvements. During this phase, 15 focus group meetings were held with key stakeholder groups representing the City of Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, community-based organizations, neighborhood associations, UCLA and Santa Monica College.
Additionally, the Brighter Blue COA team met with BBB Motor Coach Operators (MCOs) and supervisors.
To view summaries from each of these focus group sessions, see Appendix B.
Table 1 Stakeholder Focus Group Meetings Summary
Stakeholder Briefings Date Time Participants Attendees
1. BBB Operators A
(Lines 1, 2, 18, 9, 12)
11/6/23 7:15am –
8:15am
6 BBB operators and Supervisor(s)
2. BBB Operators B
(Lines 14, 15, 16, 41, 43)
11/7/23 2pm –
3pm
7 BBB operators and Supervisor(s)
3. BBB Operators C
(Lines 3, 8, 17, 23)
11/15/23 9am –
10am
7 BBB operators and Supervisor(s)
4. BBB Operators D
(Lines 5, 7, R7, R10)
11/17/23 8am –
9am
3 BBB operators and Supervisor(s)
5. SM Mobility Team 12/6/23 10:30am –
11:30am
8 • Jason Kligier
• Colleen Stoll
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 5
• Eric Bailey
• Kyle Kozar
• Peter Dzewaltowski
• Trevor Thomas
• Jack Moreau
6. Municipal Transit
Operators
1/4/24 3pm –
4pm
6 • Dorothy Suchkova (Culver City)
• Diana Chang (Culver City)
• Kay Sasaki (LADOT)
• Joe Forgiarini (Metro)
• Scott Greene (Metro)
• Carl Torres (Metro)
7. Neighborhood
Association Focus Group
1/9/24 3:30pm –
4:30pm
3 • MK (Mid City Neighbors)
• Jerry Rubin (Ocean Park Association)
• Amy Gottstein (Ocean Park
Association)
8. Neighborhood
Association Focus Group
1/10/24 8:30am –
9:30am
3 • Nancy Duresky (Sunset Park)
• Christina Allen (Ocean Park
Association)
• Natasha Rusler (Sunset Park)
9. Neighborhood
Association Focus Group
1/11/24 6:30pm –
7:30pm
2 • Amy Gottstein (Ocean Park
Association)
• Jennifer Polhemus (Sunset Park)
10. Mobility Advocacy
Focus Group
1/18/24 2:30pm –
3:30pm
8 • Barbara Filet (Pico Neighborhood
Association)
• Cynthia Rose (Santa Monica Spoke)
• Cris Gutierrez (Streets Alliance)
• Caro Vilian (Evo LA)
• Jayro Queme (GoSoMo)
• Juan Matute (Santa Monica Family For
Safe Streets)
• Pam O’Connor (Los Angeles County
Regional Planning Commission)
• Mario Melgarejo (Climate Santa
Monica)
11. UCLA Students Focus
Group
1/23/24 10:00am –
11:00am
4 • Noor Nakhaei
• Lawrence Tran
• Isabel Sheng
• Eisha Shakeel
12. UCLA Faculty and
Staff Focus Group
1/25/24 1:00pm –
2:30pm
14 • Phoebe Chiu
• Tierra Sowell
• Michelle Shimogawa
• Consuelo Garcia
• Daniel Contreras
• Jacob Wasserman
• Wendy Conlon
• Sheehan Parker
• Christina Godinez
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 6
• Brian Juarez
• Nick Efron
• Carolyn Attanucci
• Josheph Santiago III
• Ronald Richards
13. SMC Faculty and
Staff Focus Group
2/1/24 1:00pm –
2:00pm
4 • Kawar Ferris
• Victor Vazquez
• Jeremy Lange
• Rebecca Yilma
14. SMC Students
2/29/24 3:00pm –
4:00pm
2 • Esmi Hernandez (A.S. SMC)
• David Duncan (A.S. SMC)
• Chrissy Washington (Corsair)
15. *Familias Latinas
Unidas (FLU), (En
Español)
2/23/24 6:00pm –
7:00pm
15 (No registration provided)
*Meeting was hosted by organization and BBB staff provided overview and answered questions.
Registration was not taken at this meeting.
3.1 Notification
Notification for the stakeholder focus meetings included targeted eblasts and phone calls to groups identified by the outreach team and confirmed by BBB staff. Notification of the focus groups were sent to representatives of all seven (7) Santa Monica Neighborhood Associations, 17 business associations, 40 community Based organizations and mobility advocacy groups, and more than 250 students, staff and faculty at Santa Monica College and UCLA. Notification to the MCOs and their supervisors were handled internally by BBB staff, and notification to the City’s Mobility Team was also handled internally.
To view notification for these focus group meetings, see Appendix B.
Key Themes
Participants were encouraged to actively engage by providing input and asking questions during the focus group meetings. The following summarizes the key points discussed during the focus group meetings with these key stakeholder organizations and groups of residents.
Table 2 Focus Group Meeting Key Themes
Topic Key Themes
Service Reliability
and Frequency
• Participants expressed concerns about an inconsistency in bus schedules and its impact on daily commutes and travel plans.
• Delays, missed transfers, and overcrowding were cited as significant hindrances to a seamless transit experience. Improving the reliability and frequency of bus services emerged as a priority to address these challenges.
Community
Engagement and
Input
• Participants emphasized the importance of actively engaging with the community to gather valuable feedback and suggestions for enhancing the BBB system.
• Participants shared the importance of BBB attending community meetings, reaching out to diverse demographics, and fostering a better understanding of the services offered.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 7
Accessibility and
Connectivity
• Enhancing transit connectivity and accessibility emerged as key priorities for improving the BBB system.
• Participants called for the introduction of additional bus lines and improvements in accessibility for various demographic groups. • Suggestions to enhance connectivity included areas like Expo stations and Downtown Santa Monica to make public transportation more accessible and convenient for residents.
Environmental
Considerations
and Sustainability
• Sustainability was highlighted as a significant concern, with participants advocating for initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and promote ecofriendly transportation options. • Proposals included positioning the BBB as a sustainable alternative to personal vehicles and integrating bike share programs to encourage environmentally friendly commuting practices.
Safety and
Amenities
• Safety at bus stops and the availability of amenities were identified as critical factors influencing the overall transit experience.
• Participants stressed the importance of enhancing safety measures, such as improved lighting and bus stops seating, to create a more comfortable and secure environment for riders.
Promotion and
Awareness
• Increased awareness and promotion were suggested by participants for attracting more ridership.
• Participants suggested implementing targeted marketing campaigns, offering incentives for ridership, and providing accessible information about BBB services and routes.
Motor Coach Operator Survey Results
In addition to the focus group meetings with the BBB motor coach operators and their supervisors, a brief survey was conducted to better understand what issues operators faced and what improvements could be made to improve the system. A total of 25 operators participated in the survey. To view those complete survey results, see Appendix B. Below is a summary of the survey results.
Route Issues and Improvements:
• Challenges: Some operators highlighted specific challenges like difficult turning movements or the need for additional resources during peak times.
• Suggestions for Improvements: Recommendations include better crowd control, more friendly service, and adjustments to route specifics to improve service quality. • Common Passenger Comments: Operators frequently receive questions about bus timings, why buses are delayed, and about specific stops or services on the route.
Operational Feedback:
• Physical Comfort: Several operators noted issues related to vehicle comfort, such as inadequate seating or crowding.
• Driver-Passenger Interaction: Some responses pointed towards the need for drivers to manage fare disputes or other passenger interactions more effectively.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 8
Community Survey Results
A community survey was launched during this phase of outreach to solicit high-level feedback from BBB riders and members of the Santa Monica and West LA community. The survey asked respondents to provide information on how often they rode BBB, which routes they used, and ideas for improving service. The survey was developed in English and Spanish and a total of 426 survey responses were recorded (424 in English, 2 in Spanish). To view the full results of this survey, see Appendix C.
The responses received from the community survey indicated 82% were taken by BBB riders who use the service at least once per month. Routes 1, 2, 7 and 3 were the most frequently used lines among survey respondents. The most frequently raised concern was on-time performance and improved frequency. A large number of respondents also indicated longer service hours, and more off-peak service was important.
4. PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
A virtual and in-person Public Workshop was organized as a pivotal aspect of the strategic planning efforts for the Brighter Blue COA effort. The primary purpose of this session was to involve stakeholders in conversations about the COA's goals and gather important feedback from the community. Live interpretation services were provided for participants during both Public Workshops. The sessions were recorded and posted to the project webpage in both English and Spanish. See Appendix D for the Presentations to view the presentations shared during the Public Workshops.
Table 3 Public Workshops Details
Public Workshop Date Time Location
Virtual Public
Workshop
Wednesday, March 6,
2024
6:00pm - 8:00pm Zoom
In-Person Public
Workshop
Thursday, March 7,
2024
5:30pm - 7:30pm Santa Monica Public
Library, Multipurpose
Room
4.1 Notification
The public was invited to participate in the Public Workshops via e-blast, advertisements, social media posts, earned media and flyers distributed to several public counters in Santa Monica and West LA.
Additionally, take one flyers were posted on buses in the BBB fleet, as well as at the BBB Transit Store.
E-blasts
The City of Santa Monica distributed an e-blast inviting stakeholders to share their comments. E-blast was available in English. To view the e-blasts, refer to Appendix D.
Table 4 Eblast Notification Details
E-blast Date Sent
Initial Invitation February 21, 2024
Reminder #1 February 28, 2024
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 9
Reminder #2 March 6, 2024
Social Media
BBB’s social media platforms were utilized to promote the upcoming public workshops. To view the social media posts, see Appendix D. Social media content was posted in English and Spanish on Facebook and Instagram.
Table 5 Social Media Notification
Platform Content Date Sent
Facebook Workshop Notification #1 2/21/24
Workshop Notification #2 2/28/24
Workshop Notification #3 3/4/24
Workshop Notification #4 3/6/24
Workshop Notification #5 3/7/24
Workshop Thank you Post 3/12/24
Instagram Workshop Notification #1 2/21/24
Workshop Notification #2 2/28/24
Workshop Notification #3 3/4/24
Workshop Notification #4 3/6/24
Workshop Notification #5 3/7/24
Workshop Thank you Post 3/12/24
Newspaper Advertisements
Advertisements were placed digitally in three (3) local publications and in print in one (1) publication to promote the upcoming Public Workshops to a broader audience. The advertisements featured a brief overview of the COA project, as well as time, date and location details. To view digital ad placements, please refer to Appendix D.
Table 6 Newspaper Advertisement Details
Newspaper Date
Santa Monica Mirror
Leader board on smmirror.com and eblast
2/21/24 – 3/6/24
Santa Monica Daily Press
Digital newsletters
2/21 – 3/6/24
Santa Monica College Corsair (print ad) 2/28/24
Daily Bruin (UCLA)
Top banner for bruinwalk.com
2/21 – 3/6/24
Meeting Flyer Distribution
A meeting flyer in English and Spanish was developed to promote the upcoming public workshop. On February 21, 2024, 300 flyers, bundled in sets of 50, were distributed across 12 sites near Santa Monica Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 10
Bus Stops. Additionally, take one flyers were posted inside the BBB fleet and at the BBB Transit Store. To view the meeting flyer and take ones, see Appendix D.
Table 7 Flyer Notification Details
No. Location Quantity
1 City of Santa Monica
1685 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90401 50
2 Ken Edwards Center
1527 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401 50
3 Santa Monica High School
601 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405 50
4 Virginia Avenue Park
2200 Virginia Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404 50
5 Pico Brank Library
2201 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405 50
6 *Bus Stops (posted on stop pole)
Pico WB and 18th St, Santa Monica, CA 90404 x
7 Montana Avenue Branch Library
1704 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403 50
8 *Bus Stop (posted on stope pole)
1744 Pearl St, Santa Monica, CA 90405 x
9 Annenberg Community Branch House
415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90402 50
10 Santa Monica College Bundy Campus
3171 S Bundy Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90066 75
11 UCLA Transportation Office/ULCA Police Department
555 Westwood Plaza, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1360
15 12 Blue: The Transit Store
1444 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401 50
Total flyers distributed 190
SMS Notification
Notification for these workshops was also conducted through SMS messages sent to BBB’s database of more than 16,500 contacts on March 5, 2024. The messages were sent in both English and Spanish. To view the SMS notification messages, see Appendix D.
Press Releases
BBB staff distributed two press releases on February 20 and February 21, 2024 to notify members of the media of the public workshops and Brighter Blue COA effort. To view these press releases, see Appendix D.
Earned Media
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 11
Leading up to the public workshops, some media outlets provided coverage of the Brighter Blue COA process and upcoming public workshops. The details of those articles are listed below. To see copies of earned media, see Appendix D.
Table 8 Earned Media
Media outlet Headline Date Link
Santa Monica
Daily Press
Big Blue Bus begins
safety officer program
with Sunday launch*
(includes reference to
Brighter Blue meetings)
3/8/24 https://smdp.com/2024/03/08/big-blue-busbegins-safety-officer-program-with-sundaylaunch/ Santa Monica
Mirror
Blue Bus Seeks Input
on How to Improve
Service
2/22/24 https://smmirror.com/2024/02/blue-busseeks-input-on-how-to-improve-service/ Santa Monica
City Website
Big Blue Bus seeks
community input to
enhance customer
experience
2/21/24 https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2024/02/
21/ big-blue-bus-seeks-community-input-toenhance-customer-experience
4.2 Virtual Public Workshop
Public Workshop #1 was held virtually via ZOOM from 6:00-8:00 pm on March 6, 2024 to discuss the Brighter Blue COA process and to receive input from the public related to their experiences on BBB and their ideas for future service improvements. This meeting was attended by 55 members of the public and they provided 189 written or verbal comments.
During the meeting, the project team introduced participants to the study overview and objectives.
Participants provided their input on what type of features they would like to see implemented.
Additionally, live Spanish interpretation was made available throughout the meeting for participants.
Both meetings were recorded and will be made available in English and Spanish to all stakeholders after the culmination of the first meeting series.
Attendees
The following members of the public participated in the virtual public hearing on March 6, 2024. To view the redacted attendee report for this virtual workshop, see Appendix D.
Table 9 Virtual Workshop Participation
No. Name No. Name
1 Alejandro Hernandez 29 Kecia Weller
2 Amy Gottstein 30 Kelly Kuvo Richardson
3 Annie Chan 31 Larissa Hogan
4 Austin Phung 32 Laura Blumenthal
5 Benjamin Tomimatsu 33 Leontynae Rhynes
6 Bill Lam 34 Louis Zeledon
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 12
7 B. Johnstone 35 Lynn Stokes
8 Cecile Oreste 36 Maria Garcia
9 Connie Ho 37 Mario Melgarejo
10 Cynthia Rose 38 Marls Lickhalter
11 Deborah Lynch 39 Mary T. de la Pena
12 Debra Shepherd 40 Michael Harris
13 Diane Murphy 41 Michael Soehner
14 Dominick Falzone 42 Mojiy Jimoh
15 Dominic Sarabia 43 Mousey Kim
16 Edmund Xu 44 Nancy Sanchez
17 Berman 45 Nilaya Kanuri
18 Grant Lyon 46 Pamela Singletary
19 Greta saran 47 Patsy Proctor
20 Halley sprung 48 Rebecca Lantry
21 Ian Dutton 49 Robert See
22 Jane K 50 Robin Sherry
23 Jerry Rubin 51 Sam Butler
24 Jill Turkfeld 52 Scott Greene
25 Jose Dennis Alabaso 53 Sharon Resendiz
26 Judy Abdo 54 Sy Wilson
27 Justin Wong 55 Theodoric Huang
28 Kandy Arnold
Virtual Public Workshop Feedback Activity
Upon registration, attendees were asked to answer a series of questions on ZOOM regarding their connection to Santa Monica, their use of public transportation, and how they learned about the meeting. The results are provided below.
Question 1
5%, 9
9%, 16
16%, 30
16%, 30
22%, 40
32%, 57
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
I go to school here
Other
I work here
I have health appointments here
I visit major destinations like the Santa Monica Pier
I live here
What is your relation to Santa Monica?
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 13
Question 2
Question 3
Comment Themes
Participants were encouraged to actively engage by providing input and asking questions during the Q&A portion of the meeting. Participants provided a total of 189 verbal or written comments during this meeting. The following summarizes the key points discussed during the meeting regarding the Big Blue Bus (BBB) system. To see the Comment Log for the virtual and in-person public workshop, please refer to Appendix D.
Table 10 Virtual Workshop Comment Themes
Topic Key Themes
Service Frequency • Participants indicated a preference for increased frequency, especially during peak hours and weekends.
0%, 0
5%, 5
24%, 24
31%, 32
40%, 41
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Daily (5 or more times per week)
Often (1-4 times per week)
How often do you use public transportation?
0%, 0
0%, 0
2%, 2
6%, 6
7%, 7
13%, 12
19%, 18
53%, 49
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Flyer at public counter
Phone Call
Friend or Family Member
Newspaper Ad
Flyer on the bus
Other
Social Media
Email /Text
How did you hear about this meeting?
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 14
• Specific requests for more frequent service on Line 9 and other key routes to reduce wait times.
Route Requests
• Participants requested the implementation of new routes such as “R1” and “R9” to cater to specific commuting needs.
• Comments included requests for more reliable and fixed routes over ondemand services for predictable travel.
Service Quality
• Feedback focused on improving the cleanliness and overall quality of the bus service.
• Suggestions included more frequent cleaning and maintaining buses in better condition.
Customer Service • Comments highlighted the need for better customer service, with specific mentions of staff friendliness and driver professionalism.
Pricing Concerns
• Participants expressed concerns about fare prices, requesting more affordable options and questioning the cost-effectiveness of current pricing strategies.
Operational
Efficiency
• There were requests for improved operational efficiency, including better on-time performance and reduced delays.
• Suggestions for more accurate bus schedules and better coordination with real-time transit apps.
Accessibility
• Participants highlighted the need for better accessibility, particularly for seniors and those with disabilities.
• Comments included requests for closer bus stops and more accessible vehicle features.
Environmental
Impact
• Participants showed support for eco-friendly initiatives, with comments encouraging the use of sustainable practices in bus operations.
Improvements Priorities Activity
To garner additional feedback on the public’s improvement priorities, virtual workshop attendees participated in a resource allocation activity. The activity was hosted virtually through the Mentimeter software. For some questions, participants were asked to rank priorities and for others, participants were provided with “100-points” they allocated to different options that were presented during the presentation. Between 25 and 32 meeting attendees participated in this activity. The following charts summarize the responses from meeting participants. The full results of this activity are available in Appendix D.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 15
Figure 2 Please rank the following in order of importance for you Table 11 Summary of improvements ranking activity (virtual workshop) Improvement 1st Place Votes 2nd Place Votes 3rd Place Votes Shorter wait for the bus 13 5 3
Shorter travel time on the bus 5 10 6
Shorter walk to the bus stop 3 6 12
Figure 3 At what time of day is it MOST important to add more frequency Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 16
Figure 4 Which of the following do you prefer in areas that cannot support frequent bus service Figure 5 Improvements Priority
4.3 In-Person Public Workshop
Public Workshop #2 was held in-person at the Santa Monica Main Library on Thursday, March 7, 2024 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the Brighter Blue COA process and to receive input from the public related to their experiences on BBB and their ideas for future service improvements. This meeting was attended by 26 members of the public and they provided 12 verbal comments/questions, and 9 comments/questions were submitted in writing. Live Spanish interpretation was made available during this meeting and materials were provided in English and Spanish.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 17
During the meeting, the project team introduced participants to the COA process and objectives.
Participants provided their input on what type of features they would like to see implemented.
Additionally, live Spanish interpretation was made available throughout the meeting for participants.
Attendees
Meeting participants were asked to sign into the meeting. To view the redacted sign-in sheets from this meeting, please see Appendix D.
Table 12 In-Person Workshop Participation
Attendee Report – In-Person Public Workshop
Upon registration for this meeting, attendees were asked to answer a series of questions regarding their connection to Santa Monica, their use of public transportation, and how they learned about the meeting. The results are provided below.
No. Name No. Name
1 Amy Gottstein 14 Luka P
2 Andrea Fonsele 15 Mario Melgarejo
3 Bill Davids 16 May
4 Chung 17 Nuri Halperin
5 Deepak Kaushik 18 Pam Oconnor
6 Dennis Ficker 19 Seimah Edirisinge
7 Dorthy Suchera 20 Sharon L Resendiz
8 Eugene Salinsky 21 Shaun Howard
9 Fransico Mioy 22 Sirinya Matute
10 Jack Meyhue 23 Soraya De Chadarevian
11 Jacqueline Ashouroof 24 U. Chahn
12 Jose Melendez 25 Wang Wright
13 Juan Matute 26 Zoey Muntaner
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 18
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
0%, 0
2%, 2
15%, 7
19%, 9
23%, 11
41%, 20
0 5 10 15 20 25
Other
I go to school here
I work here
I have health appointments here
I visit major destinations like the Santa Monica Pier
I live here
What is your relation to Santa Monica?
0%, 0
13%, 4
15%, 5
34%, 11
38%, 12
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Daily (5 or more times per week)
Often (1-4 times per week)
How often do you use public transportation?
0%, 0
0%, 0
0%, 0
0%, 0
4%, 1
4%, 1
4%, 1
88%, 19
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Flyer on the bus
Friend or Family Member
Phone Call
Flyer at public counter
Social Media
Other
Newspaper Ad
Email/Text
How did you hear about this meeting?
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 19
Comment Theme Summary
Meeting participants submitted 21 comments (12 verbal, 9 in writing) and the table below provides a summary of those comments.
Table 13 In-Person Workshop Comment Summary
Topic Comments
Service Frequency
and Timing
• Concerns about the adequacy of service frequency, particularly during offpeak hours and the implications for safety and utility. • Specific requests for changes in bus schedules to accommodate community events and improve access to destinations like UCLA.
• Complaints about the inaccuracy and lack of up-to-date schedule information.
Route Coverage
and Stop Locations
• Dissatisfaction with the current routes not covering key areas like West LA and requests for adjustments in bus stops (e.g., placement after traffic lights for safety).
• Suggestions for route adjustments to improve connectivity and convenience, including requests for fewer stops on certain routes or the reinstatement of specific stops near key locations.
Safety and
Accessibility
• Numerous concerns over safety, including harassment on buses and the need for bus drivers to enforce rules and ensure safety for all passengers, including vulnerable groups.
• Issues related to ADA compliance and the inappropriate use of designated spaces by non-disabled individuals.
• Suggestions for improving physical infrastructure at stops to enhance safety and protection from the weather.
Technology and
Communication
• Frustration with digital signage being unreadable due to sunlight or poor angles.
• Requests for better real-time communication regarding bus arrivals, especially when there are delays or cancellations.
General Service
Quality
• Feedback on the need for cleaner, more comfortable seating and wellmaintained facilities. • Calls for more respectful and considerate behavior from both drivers and passengers to foster a more pleasant and respectful environment.
Improvements Priorities
To garner additional feedback on the public’s improvement priorities, in-person workshop attendees participated in a resource allocation activity. The activity was hosted virtually through the Mentimeter software. For some questions, participants were asked to rank their improvement priorities. Between 13 and 15 workshop attendees participated in this activity. The following charts summarize the responses from meeting participants. The full results of this activity are available in Appendix D.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 20
Table 14 Summary of
improvement ranking activity (in-person workshop)
Improvement 1st Place Votes 2nd Place Votes 3rd Place Votes Shorter wait for the bus 9 3 1
Shorter travel time on the bus 3 5 5
Shorter walk to the bus stop 1 5 7
Figure 7 At what time of day is it most important to add more frequency? Figure 6 Please rank the following in order of importance for you Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 21
Figure 8 Which of the following service do you prefer?
Figure 9 Which of the following do you prefer in areas that cannot support frequent bus service? Comment Board Results
Participants at the in-person meeting were
encouraged to provide comments on the
‘comments’ display boards. Two boards were
featured at the meeting. The first board
asked participants to identify features of BBB
that they liked and the other board asked
participants for their ideas to improve the
BBB system. To access images of the
comment boards this workshop, please refer
to Appendix D.
‘What I Like’ Board
The feedback highlights positive aspects of BBB service, particularly praising its frequency, cleanliness, and safety over Metro. There are specific requests for increased Sunday service on Route 5 and better Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 22
daily frequency in areas like Wilton/18th Blvd. Users appreciate the affordability, zero-emissions initiatives, and payment system. The service is noted for its convenience, with stops near homes and routes to downtown Santa Monica. The buses are described as safe and clean, supported by courteous drivers and comfortable seating.
Table 15 'What I Like' Board Comments
What do you like about Big Blue Bus?
1. More frequency for route 5 on Sunday
2. Stops are close to my house
3. Generally good payment system
4. Safe and clean & drivers & worker to be close by. Or I give up on the bus to Anaheim
5. Good coverage below the western side of town
6. Generally cleaner than Metro
7. Zero emissions DMS
8. Affordable
9. Trasport service to Downtown SM on Pico Blvd and Lincoln
10. Much more safe & clean than metro
11. Going zero emissions
12. Drivers generally courteous
13. Comfortable ride & seats!
14. Some friendly operators
15. Good coverage near Wilton / 18th Blvd – Good route to Vons – Thu E10
16. Space for riders, good frequency during the day
17. Convenience and generally friendly drivers
18. Buses are mostly clean and Service reliability is better than Metro (but still low as norm for newcomers)
Ideas Board
The comments on improving BBB service emphasize increasing bus frequency, especially on weekends and during peak hours, and expanding the use of electric buses for sustainability. Safety, cleanliness, and real-time updates are key concerns, with calls for more cameras and consistent cleaning. Requests for better infrastructure, like shaded bus stops, and enhanced accessibility, including ADA-compliant training Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 23
for drivers and bike racks on buses, are prominent. Technological improvements such as an improved app interface and integration of Metro’s TAP system are also mentioned.
Table 16 Ideas Board Comments
Topic
1. Clean the bus top priority.
2. Consult more on bus routes.
3. Put a bike rack on all BBB buses.
4. More electric buses, especially on Zone 1.
5. More frequent buses, especially for Route 7.
6. Electric bus trials?
7. Metro’s TAP system on BBB.
8. Shade & Shelter at bus stops.
9. Run BBB buses more frequently during weekends.
10. More buses on weekends.
11. Cameras on buses for safety.
12. Timeliness.
13. Shade at bus stops.
14. Push button to request a stop.
15. Truly dedicated lanes, I love it especially on Lincoln!
16. More safety features.
17. The seats should all be the same.
18. The sitting is not comfortable.
19. Big Blue should be FREE.
20. The stats should all be available at the stop.
21. We need to install device that counts people at different times.
22. Own dedicated bus lanes.
23. Shade & bench at stops.
24. App for real time updates on bus locations (map).
25. Help us know when the bus is comfortable.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 24
26. Cleanliness.
27. Safety.
28. Odor.
29. No more cloth seats.
30. Improve bus to walking connections.
31. Simpler, better app interface.
32. Friendly.
33. Holding up umbrellas for passengers.
34. More routes to key city centers.
35. More routes.
36. Speed up service.
37. The traffic lights should be on a timer for the bus.
38. New cleaner on a regular basis.
39. Affordable rates.
40. Training drivers on ADA compliance.
41. Headways.
42. Shorter headways!
43. Max!
44. Add more services.
45. Shade + lights at all stops.
46. Bus stop shelter.
47. 1-2 more operators during rush hour.
48. Need more buses on weekends.
49. Big electric buses only.
50. Safety is number one.
51. Improve the cleaning schedule.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 25
System Map Activity
At the in-person meeting, participants were encouraged to actively engage by commenting on the system map.
Participants were encouraged to place sticker dots to
show where they take the bus to and from. Attendees
were also encouraged to provide comments on sticky
notes and place them in specific areas that their comment pertained to. The table below is a summary of the
comments that were provided on the system map.
Table 17 System Map Comments Summary
Topic Key Themes
Route Expansion and
Rerouting
• Many comments suggest expanding or rerouting existing routes to better serve various areas or alleviate congestion.
Frequency and Service
Improvement
• Several comments highlight the need for increased frequency, shorter headways, and better service during peak hours or in specific areas.
Infrastructure and
Facilities
• Concerns and suggestions regarding infrastructure improvements such as electric charging stations, shared inter-agency resources, and accessibility of pass information are mentioned.
Connection and
Integration
• Integration with other transportation systems, such as Metro services, people movers, and major transit hubs, is emphasized to enhance connectivity and streamline travel.
Operational Efficiency
and Customer
Experience
• Issues related to operational efficiency, underused routes, and customer experience, including overcrowding, cleanliness, and ease of navigation, are raised.
Brighter Blue Bucks Activity
During the in-person public workshop, attendees were provided with 10 ‘Brighter Blue Bucks’ to allocate to the service improvements they preferred. This activity was similar to the resource allocation digital activity that took place during the virtual public workshop. The activity was accompanied by several display boards that explained the improvements, as well as a board to describe some of the tradeoffs associated with the improvements. To view the display boards present at this workshop, please see Appendix D.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 26
Figure 10 In-Person Workshop Improvement Priorities Activity Results
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Following the release of the Draft Service Plan by the technical planning team, two (2) public hearings were held to provide the public with an opportunity to provide feedback on the plan. Notification for these hearings adhered to BBB policies (see Appendix E), and legal advertisements were published at least 14 days prior to the first public hearing. Additionally, comments were accepted from the public following the hearings for at least 20 days (April 21 – May 24). Adherence to accessibility policies was also met. The in-person hearing on April 20 was held at an ADA accessible facility and live captioning was provided for hearing impaired persons. Additionally, a press release was distributed prior to the public hearings, and recordings and transcripts of both hearings were developed (Appendix E). 2%
4%
7%
15%
17%
18%
18%
19%
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18% 20%
Other Priorities (Better shade, cleaner buses and bus stops) Routes to New places
New On Demand Services
More Frequent Service On Weekends
Safety and Security
Shorter Travel Times (Faster Speed)
Longer Hours
More Frequent Service on Weekdays
Improvement Priorities
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 27
Table 18 Public Hearings Details
Meeting Date Time Location
Virtual Public Hearing Tuesday, April 16, 2024 6:00pm – 8:00pm Zoom In-person Public
Hearing
Saturday, April 20, 2024 10:00am – 12:00pm Virginia Avenue Park (2200 Virginia Ave,
Santa Monica, CA
90404)
During the meetings, project staff presented on proposed service changes that would be implemented over the next five years. The proposed changes included:
• Improving weekday frequency to 10 minutes or better on major corridors. • Expanding service hours earlier in the morning and later at night. • Adjusting route alignments to connect with future Metro Rail D Line, C Line, and K Line stations.
Participants provide written and verbal comments recorded by a court reporter. Additionally, live interpretation was made available to participants for both Public Hearings. The meetings were recorded and will be made available in English and Spanish to all stakeholders.
To view the presentations shared during the Public Hearings, see Appendix E.
5.2 Notification
Notification of these public hearings was conducted in adherence to the City’s policy on public hearing procedures (Public Hearing and Community Meeting Procedures for Major Service or Fare Changes, 2019). Necessary notification was sent at least 14 days before the first public hearing. Notification was first disseminated through three legal advertisements placed in three local newspapers and a press release. Additionally, notification was distributed via eblast, SMS text message, physical flyer drop-offs at public counters, social media, and take-one flyers posted on the BBB fleet.
E-blast
The City of Santa Monica distributed several eblasts to invite stakeholders to attend the hearing and share their comments on the draft service changes. The eblasts were available in English and Spanish. To view eblasts sent out for the public hearings, see Appendix E.
Table 19 Public Hearing Eblast Notification
E-blast Distribution Date
Initial 4/2/24
Reminder #1 4/10/24
Reminder #2 4/15/24
Reminder #3 4/18/24
Thank You Eblast 4/30/24
Advertisements
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 28
Legal advertisements were designed to promote the upcoming Public Hearings to a broader audience and comply with BBB policy to notify the public of hearings at least 14 days in advance. Three legal ads were published in the publications listed below, and one display ad was published in the Santa Monica Star (publication does not publish legal ads) Copies of publication affidavits are available in Appendix E.
Table 20 Legal Advertisement Details
Advertisement Distribution Date
Santa Monica Mirror 4/2/24
Santa Monica Star (Display Ad) 4/1/24
Santa Monica Daily Press 4/2/24
Santa Monica Observer 4/2/24
Social Media
The City’s social media platforms were utilized to promote the upcoming Public Hearings and accompanying draft service changes survey. To view the social media posts, see Appendix E. Social media content was posted in English and Spanish.
Table 21 Public Hearing Social Media Notification
Platform Content Date Sent
Facebook Public Hearing Reminder #1 4/2/24
Public Hearing Reminder #2 4/9/24
Public Hearing Reminder #3 4/15/24
Public Hearing Reminder #4 4/16/24
Public Hearing Reminder #5 4/19/24
Thank You Post, Survey Promotion 4/23/24
Survey Promotion #2 4/30/24
Survey Promotion #3 5/8/24
Survey Promotion #4 5/16/24
Survey Promotion #5 5/24/24
Instagram Public Hearing Reminder #1 4/2/24
Public Hearing Reminder #2 4/9/24
Public Hearing Reminder #3 4/15/24
Public Hearing Reminder #4 4/16/24
Public Hearing Reminder #5 4/19/24
Thank You Post, Survey Promotion 4/23/24
Survey Promotion #2 4/30/24
Survey Promotion #3 5/8/24
Survey Promotion #4 5/16/24
Survey Promotion #5 5/24/24
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 29
Flyer Distribution
A meeting flyer in English and Spanish was developed to promote the hearings. In advance of the hearings, 500 flyers were distributed across 12 public counter sites near BBB bus stops. To view the flyer, see Appendix E.
No. Location Quantity
1 City of Santa Monica
1685 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90401 50
2 Ken Edwards Center
1527 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401 50
3 Santa Monica High School
601 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405 50
4 Virginia Avenue Park
2200 Virginia Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404 50
5 Pico Brank Library
2201 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405 50
6 Bus Stops
Pico WB and 18th St, Santa Monica, CA 90404 4
7 Montana Avenue Branch Library
1704 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403 50
8 Bus Stop
1744 Pearl St, Santa Monica, CA 90405 4
9 Annenberg Community Branch House
415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90402 50
10 Santa Monica College Bundy Campus
3171 S Bundy Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90066 75
11 UCLA Transportation Office/ULCA Police Department
555 Westwood Plaza, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1360
15 12 Blue: The Transit Store
1444 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401 50
SMS Notification
Two SMS notification messages were sent by BBB to notify its database of 16,500+ contacts of the hearings. To view the SMS messages, see Appendix E.
Table 22 Public Hearings SMS Notification
SMS Notification Date Sent
Public Hearing Notification #1 4/11/24
Public Hearing Notification #2 4/18/24
5.3 Virtual Public Hearing
Public Hearing #1 was held virtually via ZOOM on April 16, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 pm to share the proposals included in the Draft Service Plan, and to garner feedback during the public comment portion of the hearing. The meeting was attended by 46 members of the public and included a presentation and Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 30
overview of the draft service changes and was followed by a public comment period which garnered 66 verbal or written comments.
Attendees
Participants in this hearing were asked to register and when commenting, to provide their name and city of residence. To access the attendee report for the virtual public hearing, please see Appendix E.
Table 23 Virtual Hearing Participation
No. Name No.
1 Ally Hamilton 24 Lou
2 Amy G 25 Louis Zeledon
3 Ant Honey 26 Luka Peharda
4 Arnold Sobol 27 M K
5 Bill Lam 28 Makesi Gaither
6 Chris Michel 29 Margarita Torres
7 David Mach 30 Mary Ann Ryan
8 Debra Shepherd 31 Mary Johnson
9 Dominic Sarabia 32 Michael Harris
10 Freida Dubin 33 Nancy J Duresky
11 Guest (did not leave name) 34 Noe Solano
12 Guest (did not leave name) 35 Owen Gorman
13 Guest (did not leave name) 36 P Fauntleroy
14 Jacob Wasserman 37 Raag Agrawal
15 Jean Fleet 38 Rayne Laborde Ruiz
16 Jenny Lens 39 Richard Newton
17 Jerry Rubin 40 Richard Park
18 Jose Dennis Alabaso 41 Roland West
19 Josh Xu 42 Russell Jones
20 Lawrence Tran 43 Sam Butler
21 Lizzie Estrella 44 Scott Greene
22 LoEtte Loshak 45 Shahab Yarmohammadi
23 Lois Zhang 46 William Olenen
Key Themes
Participants were provided up to three minutes to provide public comments verbally during the virtual public hearing. A total of 66 comments were provided including 45 written comments and 21 verbal comments. A court reporter was present during the meeting and the hearing was recorded. To view transcripts for the virtual and in-person public hearing, please refer to Appendix E.
Table 24 Virtual Hearing Comment Themes
Topic Key Themes
Service
Enhancements
• Several attendees expressed gratitude for improvements such as the frequency of buses on specific routes.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 31
• Positive feedback was given for extending the operational days of certain routes, which were described as essential by daily commuters. • Positive feedback on the overall planning and enhancements to the bus services that facilitate more convenient travel.
Concerns about
Service Reductions
• Multiple commenters specifically mentioned the elimination of Rapid bus No. 3 and Rapid bus No. 7 as problematic.
• Concerns were voiced about the reduction of services to neighborhoods or stops, which some attendees felt still had significant demand. • Feedback included worries that the removal of certain routes would lead to longer travel times and decreased convenience.
• Several concerns were raised about the change affecting UCLA's connectivity, particularly the proposal to abandon the Hilgard terminal, which has historically served as a central hub for buses serving the campus.
This terminal was noted for its amenities like seating, shade, and restrooms, which are lacking at other stops.
Infrastructure
Improvements
• Requests were made for upgrades to bus stops, including the need for reliable buses, seating, and shelters.
• Attendees suggested improvements in accessibility features at bus stops to accommodate elderly and disabled passengers.
• Calls for enhanced overall infrastructure to ensure that bus services are comfortable and convenient for all users.
Route Adjustments
• Several suggestions were made to alter specific routes to better serve community areas and maintain essential services.
• Feedback included strong requests to reconsider the removal of bus stops that are heavily used by the community.
• Comments highlighted the need to adjust routes to better connect with other public transportation options and key locations.
• Suggestions were made regarding the adjustment of Route 43 to better serve the Pico neighborhood and Santa Monica College (SMC), emphasizing the importance of maintaining multiple routes servicing SMC due to the high volume of commuting students.
• There were calls to reconsider the decision to cut services to Playa Vista, particularly on Route 14, due to its importance to both residents and workers in the area. The feedback highlighted the community’s reliance on this service for accessing work and other daily needs.
Bus Operational
Issues
• Comments noted frequent breakdowns of buses and suggested updating or replacing older buses to ensure reliability.
• Issues were raised about the timeliness of buses, with suggestions for more accurate scheduling to prevent delays.
• Attendees expressed dissatisfaction with the operational efficiency of certain routes, suggesting a need for review and enhancement.
Accessibility
• Concerns were repeatedly expressed regarding the accessibility of the bus services for people with disabilities.
• Feedback included the need for buses to allow more time for boarding, particularly for elderly and disabled passengers.
• Requests for better training for bus drivers to ensure they stop at all designated stops and assist those who need more time to board.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 32
Environmental
Impact
• Some comments addressed the environmental benefits of improving bus service, suggesting that more frequent and reliable services could reduce car use.
• Attendees expressed support for initiatives that promote public transportation as a greener alternative, praising the potential impact on reducing traffic and pollution.
Driver Conduct and
Customer Service
• Several attendees commented on the behavior of bus drivers, including issues with drivers not stopping at designated stops.
• Negative experiences with driver interactions were noted, with calls for better customer service and driver training.
• Positive remarks were also made about some drivers' professionalism and courtesy, suggesting variability in service quality.
4.3 In-Person Public Hearing
An in-person public hearing was held on Saturday, April 20 from 10am-12pm at Virginia Avenue Park and
attended by 22 members of the public. The in-person
hearing included a presentation of proposed service
changes and an opportunity for verbal or written
feedback on the proposals. Display boards featuring
route changes were also present at the hearing,
providing context and details of the proposed changes.
Booklets with the draft service changes were also
available for attendees in both English and Spanish. Following the presentation, the meeting broke out into a public comment session and all comments were audio recorded and transcribed by a certified court reporter. Transcripts from both public hearings are available in Appendix E.
Attendees
To view redacted sign-in sheets from the in-person public hearing, please refer to Appendix E.
No. Name No.
1 Amy Gottstein 12 Juan Matute
2 Barbara Kessel 13 Laurence Giglio
3 Barry Adler 14 Leo Gonzalez
4 Caro Vilan 15 Lisa Bakewell
5 David Duncan 16 Lon Tinney
6 Dorthy Suchkoda 17 Markesha Haynes
7 ED Rudolph 18 Sasha I
8 Erlinda Valle 19 Siruna Matute
9 Esmeralda Hernandez 20 Sureye De Chadurine
10 Jerry Rubin 21 Veer Gupta
11 Jonathan Orbon 22 Wayne Wright
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 33
Key Themes
Participants were encouraged to provide comments during the public comment portion of the meeting.
The following summarizes the key points discussed during the focus group meetings regarding the Big Blue Bus (BBB) system. A total of 16 public comments, 13 verbal and 3 written, were provided during the in-person hearing. A summary of those comments is provided in the table below. To access the full transcript for t in-person public hearing, please refer to Appendix E.
Table 25 In-Person Hearing Comment Themes
Topic Key Themes
Service Frequency
• Calls for increased service frequency on weekends, particularly for routes that restrict users' access to major lines during non-weekday hours. This limitation notably affects residents who rely on public transit as their primary means of transportation.
• Requests made to restore service to areas where stops have been moved further away, causing inconvenience, especially highlighted by residents with mobility impairments.
• Requests for buses to operate earlier and later in the day to accommodate varied schedules, such as those of workers who finish late or need to travel early in the morning.
Accessibility
• Concerns raised regarding the need for buses with better accessibility features, such as wider on-ramps for wheelchair access and buses with better lighting at stops to ensure safety at night.
• Calls for improved lighting at bus stops to make them safer for all users, especially those in wheelchairs who feel vulnerable in poorly lit areas. • Specific mentions of the benefits of certain buses with longer and wider ramps, making boarding easier and safer for users with disabilities.
Connectivity
• Proposals for rerouting some bus lines to provide direct access to key health services and medical facilities during peak hours, which would benefit users with frequent medical needs.
• Suggestions to adjust bus routes to better connect educational campuses, facilitating easier travel for students who have classes at multiple locations. • Recommendations to connect bus routes more effectively with major transit lines, improving overall network integration and user convenience.
Service Efficiency
• Critiques of routes where buses run empty, with suggestions to reroute or extend these to higher-demand areas to improve utilization and reduce operational waste.
• Recommendations to review and optimize layover points to match service provision more closely with actual user demand, thereby increasing the efficiency of the service.
• Comments on the need to address route overlaps where multiple buses serve the same route simultaneously, leading to inefficiencies and longer wait times for subsequent buses.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 34
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS SURVEY
Following the conclusion of the two public hearings, the public comment period remained open through May 24, 2024. The public were provided the opportunity to submit their comments in writing via email to brighterbluebbb.com or via mail to Big Blue Bus. A draft recommendations survey was also launched at the beginning of the Public Hearing process on April 2, 2024. The survey and comment period ended on Friday, May 24.
The table below provides a summary of the 39 written comments received following the public hearings and 14 comments received prior to the beginning of the public hearing comment period on April 2, 2024. To view the full comments, see Appendix G.
Table 26 Public Comments Summary
Topic Summary
Service
Frequency and
Timing
• Many comments focused on the need to increase the frequency and reduce headways of various bus routes to improve reliability and convenience. • Suggestions included more frequent buses during peak hours and on weekends to better accommodate commuting schedules.
• Comments suggested BBB riders could benefit from increased service, especially during morning and evening peak times to support student and worker commutes.
Route Changes
and Extensions
• Feedback included both support and opposition to proposed changes in bus routes and terminus points, expressing concerns about accessibility and convenience.
• Some proposed extending certain routes to better connect with key destinations like airports or new metro stations.
o Route 3: There were suggestions to extend Route 3 to better connect with new metro lines and the LAX People Mover, which would improve access to the airport.
o Route 14: Some comments focused on extending Route 14 to reach new metro stations, which would help integrate bus routes with expanding metro services, particularly aiming to enhance access to significant transit hubs.
o Route 7: There was discussion about adjusting Route 7 to connect with upcoming Metro stations, which would facilitate better transit flow and connectivity in the area.
• Criticisms were directed at routes perceived as redundant or inefficient, with suggestions to realign or combine them for better service. o Route 5 and Route 7: There were suggestions to swap the eastern sections of Route 5 and Route 7 to better optimize their paths and improve connectivity to Metro stations, addressing perceived inefficiencies in their current alignments.
o Route 14: Criticisms of Route 14 focused on its service in certain sections that were viewed as redundant with other services, with suggestions to remove the redundant segments for more efficient routing. o Route 16: Comments suggested routing changes to Route 16 to avoid overlapping with other routes and better serve community needs, Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 35
specifically recommending adjustments to avoid narrow streets and improve accessibility.
Accessibility
• Comments highlighted the need for better accessibility features on buses and at bus stops, especially for disabled riders and those with mobility issues. • Suggestions for installing more benches, better signage, and real-time information displays at stops.
• Specific requests included improvements to accommodate passengers with wheelchairs and provide easier access to public transport from residential areas.
Fares
• Feedback on the affordability of bus services, with suggestions to lower the price of passes and improve transfer options.
• Some users requested the continuation of cash payment options for those who might not use digital payment methods.
• Calls for matching free ride days with other transit services to simplify fare systems and encourage more frequent use.
Customer
Service
• Requests for better communication regarding service changes, delays, and cancellations, ideally through multiple channels including social media and transit apps.
• Criticisms of poor response times to customer inquiries and suggestions for more proactive customer service.
• Examples included specific instances where lack of information led to confusion or inconvenience.
Bus Stops
• Numerous comments on the need to improve the physical infrastructure of bus stops to enhance safety and comfort.
• Suggestions for more lighting, shelter, and security at bus stops, especially in less densely populated areas.
• Concerns about the placement and maintenance of stops, with requests to consider the safety of locations, particularly at night.
Environmental
and Policy
Considerations
• Comments were provided related to the environmental impact of bus transit, including the integration of more electric buses and considerations for reducing the overall carbon footprint.
• Calls for aligning bus transit policies with broader city and regional goals for sustainability and reduced car dependency.
• Advocacy for more robust public transit as a means to combat urban sprawl and reduce traffic congestion.
Community
Engagement
• Comments expressed appreciation for the opportunity to provide input through public hearings and feedback mechanisms, but also critiques of how effectively this input would be used.
• Requests for more frequent and meaningful engagement with the community to gather a wide range of opinions and experiences.
• Suggestions for setting up regular forums or advisory boards that include diverse community representatives to aid in transit planning.
Table 27 Public Comments Prior to Comment Period Summary Topic Summary
Bus Scheduling
and Reliability
• Complaints about long wait times, especially on weekends and off-peak hours.
Suggestions include shorter headways for more consistent service.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 36
• Numerous reports of buses being unreliable in terms of adhering to the scheduled times, which often leads to missed connections and delays.
Service
Improvements
• Requests to bring back previously discontinued routes like Line 4 and 44 to better serve community needs.
• Proposals for new bus services and expansions, such as more mid-day services for R10 and a new E10 service from Union Station to Santa Monica.
Bus Capacity
• Frequent issues with buses being too full to accept more passengers, particularly during rush hours.
• Suggestions include using larger buses or increasing the number of buses during peak times.
Amenities and
Accessibility
• Calls for USB charging ports on buses to accommodate passengers' electronic devices, especially useful during long rides requiring multiple connections. • Feedback on making buses more accessible for disabled individuals and addressing issues like smoking and vaping on buses to ensure a comfortable ride.
Community
Engagement
• Concerns that the BBB staff does not adequately consider public feedback when making service decisions. Calls for a more inclusive approach to planning that genuinely considers and integrates public suggestions.
6.1 Draft Recommendations Survey
In conjunction with the public hearing comment period, a survey was launched to solicit feedback on specific draft service changes presented to the public. The digital survey was developed in English and Spanish and garnered 339 (337 English, 2 Spanish) total responses between April 2 and May 24, 2024.
The following is a summary of the results from that survey, to view the full draft recommendations survey report, see Appendix F.
The results from the survey indicated most survey responses were from members of the public that did review the draft service plan (85%), and the majority of responses (88%) came from BBB riders who use the service at least once per month. The most commonly used routes among survey respondents are Route 1 (53%), Route 2 (35%), Route 7 (33%) and Route 3 (31%). Respondents indicated that if the plan were implemented as it was presented, 44% of respondents would use BBB more and 40% the same amount, while just 9.3% of respondents said they would ride less often and 6.5 % said they wouldn’t use BBB at all.
Included in this survey was also a question that asked respondents to rank their service improvement priorities and the top priorities were “Investing in high-frequency 10 minute or better service on key corridors” and “Extending service hours on many routes earlier in the mornings or later in the evenings.” The public was also presented with each individual service change, and they were asked to respond whether or not they agreed to the change, were neutral or were opposed to the change. The changes with the highest support indicated by ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ were proposals including:
• Connecting Route 3 to the future LAX/Metro Transit Center (C/K Lines) – 88% • Extending operating hours later in the evening on Routes 1, 2, and 17 – 78% Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Outreach Summary Report Arellano Associates 37
The proposals with the most opposition, indicated by ‘disagree’ or ‘strongly disagree’ responses included:
• Shortening Route 5 to operate between 17th/SMC Station and Westfield Century City – 23% • Ending Route 8 at UCLA Gateway Plaza rather than Hilgard Terminal so all Westwood Blvd routes go to the same place – 17%
• Combining Route 3 and Rapid 3 into one route with all-day 10-minute service – 17% Appendix A
Appendix A.1
Public Participation Plan
City of Santa Monica – Big Blue Bus
Comprehensive Operational Analysis
Public Participation Plan REVISED:
June 29, 2023
Prepared for
Prepared by
Table of Contents
I. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 3 II. Outreach Timeline............................................................................................................................. 3 III. Stakeholder Database....................................................................................................................... 4 IV. Communication Materials and Bilingual Collateral .......................................................................... 4 V. Traditional Notification Efforts......................................................................................................... 6 VI. Digital Notification Efforts ................................................................................................................ 7 VII. Stakeholder Meetings and Focus Groups......................................................................................... 8 VIII. Public Workshops.............................................................................................................................. 9 IX. City Council Workshop and Presentation ......................................................................................... 9 X. Outreach Summary Report.............................................................................................................10
III. Stakeholder Database
AA will coordinate the development of a key stakeholders and community groups list in the BBB service area. Key stakeholders include elected officials, stakeholder coalitions, city/council/school district representatives, planning commissioners, environmental justice groups, residents, neighborhood groups, businesses, news media and other stakeholders. AA will maintain the database throughout the study and continue to ensure it is reflective of the BBB service area. As stakeholders join the study’s electronic mailing list, AA will add these contacts to the existing database.
• Identify relevant stakeholders and develop tiered list • Develop key stakeholder map
• Update List periodically and when new stakeholders participate in COA study events, forums, meetings, workshops, etc.
Timeline
• Complete database build: May 26th
• Updates and maintenance: ongoing
IV. Communication Materials and Bilingual Collateral
AA will assist TMD and the City to develop COA-specific branding templates and content for use in public engagement activities and for notification purposes. Communications materials will be developed for use throughout the life of the study and all materials will be developed in English and Spanish.
Branding
The branding style for the COA will be similar to existing Big Blue Bus branding with a new accent color and reference to the COA through a slogan agreed upon by City staff. The project name will be “Brighter Blue” with the tagline, “Driving Communities Forward.” Timeline
• First draft of COA branding: July 11th
• Revisions: July 19th
• Finalize: July 26th
Fact Sheet
A fact sheet containing key messaging will be developed using the newly developed BBB COA branding. AA will print up to 500 fact sheets. The fact sheet will contain high-level information about the COA process, objectives and ways to communicate with the study team. AA recommends the fact sheet be limited to one page, with English on one side and Spanish on the other. The fact sheet will also include a study email (ex: [email protected]) and study helpline number (optional).
The fact sheet will contain high-level study information and will be relevant throughout the life of the COA process.
Timeline
• First draft content: June 8
• Content revisions: June 16
• Finalize content: July 12
• Place on branded fact sheet template: July 18
Flyers
Flyers (up to 1,000) will be developed on a template with BBB COA branding and the development process will begin at least four (4) weeks prior to the start of the notification process for the Public Workshops. Flyer content will include a brief study description, dates, times, and locations of Public Workshops, as well as virtual meeting information. The flyer will also include contact information for the study team and a notice to request language or other accessibility needs at Public Workshops at least 72 hours in advance. Per the City’s direction, a flyer will also be developed to notice the January 2024 City Council Workshop. For the development timeline of meeting notification flyers, see Section V.
Posters
Posters (up to 100) will be developed as evergreen promotional materials as well as for notification of Public Workshops and the City Council Workshop. Evergreen posters will contain study branding, a brief description of the COA, a bold visual element, and link/QR code to the BBB COA website. Evergreen posters will be distributed to key public facilities and offered to stakeholder groups to place in employee break rooms or public areas at their facilities. It is also recommended that posters (bus cards) be designed for and placed on all City buses. Depending on the number of buses in the BBB fleet, the City may incur additional costs to place bus cards in the entire fleet.
Notification posters will be developed in conjunction with meeting notification flyers. These posters will contain information to drive up participation in Public Workshops and the City Council Workshop. Notification posters will be displayed on a limited basis at least two weeks prior to the Public Workshops.
Display Boards
AA will coordinate with the City and project team to produce up to 20 display boards for use at Public Workshops and stakeholder meetings. The display boards will contain technical project information as well as general project information. It is recommended boards be developed in clusters by topic area and when presented, a project team member is present nearby to explain the content to stakeholders. Display boards will contain graphic visuals and some content but will primarily serve as a visual aide to help explain complex technical aspects of the project.
Timeline (for evergreen posters)
• First draft content/design: July 12th
• Content/design revisions: July 19th
• Finalize content/design: July 26th
Webpage
AA recommends the development of a BBB COA specific webpage to host general COA information, notifications for Public Workshops and City Council Workshop, and links to download COA materials. Links to this webpage can be displayed on other relevant City department webpages. AA and the project team will be responsible for drafting an outline of the web page, developing content, and sending materials to the City’s IT department, who will be responsible for creating and updating the page. The outreach team will maintain communication with the City’s IT department and relevant project team staff members to ensure the website is updated and maintained.
Timeline
• First draft content: July 9th
• Content revisions: July 19th
• Finalize content: July 26th
• *Web page development and placement of content: July 31st *Contingent on turnaround time of City’s IT department to develop webpage and place finalized content.
Interactive StoryMap (optional)
An interactive ArcGIS StoryMap can be developed to highlight existing conditions and improvements brought forward through the COA process. Story Maps are an effective tool to visually engage and offer a better understanding of the COA process and proposed changes and improvements.
Timeline
• If/when directed to develop StoryMap tool, AA can complete development in 2-4 weeks.
Tentative Date: August 7th
FAQ (optional)
A frequently asked questions flyer will be developed at the request of the City or technical team as stakeholder feedback is received on the study. If the COA team notices a pattern of similar questions from the public and key stakeholders, it will recommend the development of an FAQ section for the COA website and in the form of a physical document to distribute in a similar fashion as the fact sheet. Responses to frequently asked questions will be coordinated with the City and COA team. The range of questions answered will be expanded upon and updated as the study proceeds, particularly after major milestones.
V. Traditional Notification Efforts
AA will coordinate traditional notification efforts to promote the Public Workshops and City Council Workshop. The traditional notification efforts will take place in conjunction with digital notification efforts to ensure comprehensive outreach is completed to all of BBB’s service area and to all demographics of BBB users and Santa Monica and BBB service area residents.
The traditional notification effort will include:
• On board bus outreach - AA will coordinate shifts for on board bus outreach on BBB lines to notify riders before public workshops.
• Flyering (up to 1,000 flyers) – AA will develop and distribute meeting notice flyers to public counters in the City and at key locations in the BBB service area that are outside of the City (UCLA, LA City Council District offices, other key public counters within BBB service area).
• Posters (up to 100 posters/bus cards) – AA will develop and display meeting notification posters/bus cards in public areas at publicly accessible city facilities and on-board the BBB fleet. Posters will also be offered to key stakeholder organizations to display in employee breakrooms or publicly accessible areas at their facilities. • Extended Outreach – AA will develop a BBB COA outreach toolkit and distribute it to key stakeholder organizations to help promote the study and upcoming meetings. The toolkit will include copy-and-paste ready text and visual elements that stakeholder organizations can use to include in their own newsletters, eblasts, website, social media pages, and other communication methods they use to reach their network of contacts.
Timeline
• All traditional notification efforts will begin no later than two (2) weeks prior to the date of the first public workshop and two (2) weeks prior to the date of the City Council Workshops.
• The extended outreach toolkit will be developed and distributed to stakeholder organizations at least three (3) weeks prior to the Public Workshops and City Council Workshop.
VI. Digital Notification Efforts
Digital media notification efforts will complement the traditional efforts in the promotion of the four (4) Public Workshops and one (1) City Council Workshop. AA recommends leveraging the City’s existing digital platforms including its main City website and relevant departmental web pages, social media profiles, eblasts, and any other digital modes of communication the City and BBB use to reach residents and customers.
Digital media tactics
• Organic social media posts – AA will develop content and identify visuals for use on City’s/BBB’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and NextDoor profiles. • Social Media ads – In coordination with the City’s public information/marketing staff, AA will develop ad copy and targeting parameters for promotion of COA meetings.
Targeting will include demographic, behavioral and geographic parameters to ensure efficient reach and digital engagement to relevant stakeholders. • Eblasts – Distribution of COA meetings information as part of existing City eblasts and/or the development of COA specific eblasts sent to existing relevant City listservs. • Digital marquee announcements – COA meetings information displayed on any City marquee signs or inside BBB fleet (if applicable).
• Transit App banner – COA meeting information will be displayed in the Transit App. The banner will contain no more than 130 characters of text and will be displayed in the app at least 2 weeks prior to Public Workshops and the City Council Workshop.
Timeline
• Digital notification efforts will coincide with traditional notification efforts for Public Workshops and the City Council Workshop.
• Development of digital messaging content will take place, beginning no later than four (4) weeks prior to the beginning of a notification period.
VII. Stakeholder Meetings and Focus Groups
AA will coordinate with the City and technical team to arrange and document up to eight (8) stakeholder meetings/focus groups with key stakeholders that occur in a group setting or on a oneon-one basis. AA will also coordinate focus groups during pre-programmed BBB operator and supervisor meetings.
Stakeholder groups to be considered for stakeholder meetings and/or focus groups include but are not limited to:
• BBB operators and supervisors
• UCLA/SMC students, staff and faculty
• Business owners and their employees (Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce) • City employees
• Residents
• Metro, Culver City Bus, and other relevant municipal transit operators • Santa Monica neighborhood associations
o Friends of Sunset Park
o North of Montana Association
o Ocean Park Association
o Pico Neighborhood Association
o Santa Monica Mid City Neighbors
o Santa Monica Northeast Neighborhood
o Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition
• Business Improvement Districts
o Downtown Santa Monica Inc
o Main Street Business Improvement Association
o Montana Avenue Business Improvement District
o Pico Improvement District
Stakeholder meetings and forums will take place prior to the launch of public outreach to ensure cohesive messaging of the COA process. This approach will aid the study team’s understanding of potential issues or pain points brought up through these meetings/focus groups that may also come up during outreach to the general public.
Timeline
• Begin stakeholder meetings/focus groups – Week of September 11th • Conclude stakeholder meetings/focus groups – November 17th *Timeline is contingent on the progress and availability of existing condition analysis.
VIII. Public Workshops
AA will support the production of Public Workshops to be conducted at key study milestones. There will be one (1) round of four (4) Public Workshops, with one meeting held in Santa Monica, one (1) meeting held in the City of Los Angeles (within the BBB service area), and two meetings held virtually via Zoom or other web-based meeting platform the City prefers. Both in-person meetings will include the same format and information. The two virtual meetings will also be similar to the inperson meetings but information will be presented in a more streamlined and guided approach with a presentation and links to resources presented to the audience at certain times during the virtual meetings.
With the support and recommendations from the City and technical team, AA will develop a public workshop workplan that will detail the notification process, format, layout, and information presented at each meeting. Information will be collected at this meeting with comment cards, interactive display boards, and surveys. This workplan will be developed at least six (6) weeks prior to the first public meeting.
Timeline (Tentative)
• Week of January 22nd
o No Monday or Friday meetings
o Meetings should be held in evenings after 5:30pm
IX. City Council Workshop and Presentation
AA will coordinate with City staff and the technical team to host a City Council Workshop prior to the City Council meeting when the council will vote to adopt recommendations from the COA. The workshop will include a public component; an open-house style workshop held in a foyer or other area adjacent to the City Council’s chambers. Staff will be present to address community members’ questions and comments on the COA process and information prior to and following the regularly scheduled City Council meeting. This workshop and its public component will help finish off the COA process by presenting final improvement plans and operational updates to all relevant BBB stakeholders. Notification for this workshop will be conducted through regular City Council meeting notification, in addition to robust outreach through methods described in Sections V and VI.
Timeline (Tentative)
• Council Workshop: April 9th (back up date, April 23rd) X. Outreach Summary Report
At the conclusion of the public outreach phase of the COA process, AA will develop a comprehensive Outreach Summary Report document to be included as an appendix of the final COA document submitted by the technical team. The summary report will log all outreach efforts, metrics, and feedback from stakeholder groups and the public. The outreach summary report will include graphics and other visuals to highlight key outreach successes.
Timeline
• A final draft of this report will be delivered at least two (2) weeks before AA’s contract period ends.
Appendix A.2
Summary of Rider Survey
Results
Appendix A.3
Project Fact Sheet
Appendix B
Appendix B.1
Stakeholder Focus Group
Session Summaries
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis
Motor Coach Operator Focus Group A (Lines 1, 2, 18, 9, 12) 6 November 2023, 7:15-8:15am
Big Blue Bus Headquarters, Ops Floor 1 Conference Room
Attendance: 5 MCO’s and 1 Supervisor
Project Staff: Abdallah Daboussi, Alfredo Torales, Josh Francis, Bengy Mitchell Summary: Project staff provided an introduction to the Brighter Blue COA and its goals and objectives.
The focus group then turned into a roundtable discussion prompted by the following questions:
1. In 5 words or less, what is the best part of your job driving for Big Blue Bus?
2. What needs to be fixed to make your drive better?
3. What comments or questions do you most often receive from riders?
4. Where would you like to see Big Blue Bus make improvements the most?
5. When and where do you see overcrowding on your bus?
6. When or where is your bus more empty?
The following summarizes the discussion of the focus group.
Operational Challenges and Scheduling:
• Operators expressed that current schedules do not adequately account for traffic, leading to consistent delays.
• Narrow streets and low visibility at night were cited as operational challenges. • Operators stressed that their input is crucial in schedule planning, as their hands-on experience is not fully considered by computer-generated schedules. • There was a consensus that schedules should be based on busier traffic periods for accuracy. • The need for more recovery time at the ends of routes was emphasized to ensure operator wellbeing.
Safety Concerns:
• Post-pandemic, buses are increasingly being used by people as shelters or a means to seek help, leading to safety concerns.
• Instances of passengers being assaulted, and bus services being interrupted due to individuals seeking help were discussed.
• A proposal was made for a rapid response team and better communication with law enforcement to address these issues.
Customer Service and Reliability:
• The reliability of bus services was questioned, with late buses affecting customer trust and contributing to low ridership.
• Operators noted the need for improvements in communication and overall system support, such as addressing the lack of facilities like bathrooms at route ends.
Infrastructure and Route Issues:
• Specific difficulties on certain routes, like the 17 and 15 lines, were highlighted, where traffic lights and turns create significant delays.
• Concerns over cleanliness, lack of seating at stops, and obstructions from parked cars and other vehicles in bus zones were mentioned.
• A need for improvements in bus-only lanes, with suggestions for automated enforcement to keep lanes clear.
Feedback from Riders and Operator Observations:
• Operators frequently field questions about bus lateness, with traffic being the main cause. • Overcrowding on certain lines, particularly with school children, was noted, with the behavior of kids impacting the service quality.
• Conversely, some lines were reported to have low ridership at various times of the day.
Bus Line Operations:
• Interlining was identified as a concern with the consolidation of multiple bus lines affecting efficiency.
• Preferences for certain routes over others were expressed, highlighting the need for considering operator satisfaction in route assignments.
Solutions and Suggestions:
• Operators advocated for more collaborative planning processes, incorporating their feedback more directly into schedule creation.
• The idea of a transit masterplan was suggested to better reflect actual operating conditions. • Operators proposed the use of advanced technology, like Arizona's camera system, for monitoring and enforcement to support operations.
Overall, this focus group of BBB operators highlighted scheduling issues due to traffic and inadequate consideration of operator experience, leading to regular delays and insufficient recovery time. Safety concerns have escalated post-pandemic with buses being misused for shelter, necessitating a rapid response team and better police coordination. Customer service and reliability are compromised by late buses and lack of support facilities, affecting ridership. Specific route issues like problematic traffic lights and insufficient infrastructure on routes such as the 17 and 15 lines exacerbate delays. Operators advocate for a more integrated planning approach, a comprehensive transit masterplan, and technology like camera systems to enhance operational efficiency and safety.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis
Motor Coach Operator Focus Group B (Lines 14, 15, 16, 41, 43) 7 November 2023, 2-3pm
Big Blue Bus Headquarters, Ops Floor 1 Conference Room
Attendance: 5 MCO’s and 2 Supervisors
Project Staff: Abdallah Daboussi, Josh Francis, Allison Crook (remote) Summary: Project staff provided an introduction to the Brighter Blue COA and its goals and objectives.
The focus group then turned into a roundtable discussion prompted by the following questions:
1. In 5 words or less, what is the best part of your job driving for Big Blue Bus?
2. What needs to be fixed to make your drive better?
3. What comments or questions do you most often receive from riders?
4. Where would you like to see Big Blue Bus make improvements the most?
5. When and where do you see overcrowding on your bus?
6. When or where is your bus more empty?
The following summarizes the discussion of the focus group.
Fare Evasion and Safety Concerns:
• Fare evasion is commonplace; operators don't confront due to safety risks. • Aggressive non-paying groups and mental health challenges are prevalent among the unhoused riders.
• Female operators encounter more disrespect and confrontational behavior.
Operational Challenges:
• The 12 line lacks recovery time due to delays.
• Staff retention is difficult due to demanding schedules and a shortage of drivers, forcing many into unwanted overtime and disrupting work/life balance. • Split shifts and interlining are causing confusion among operators and contributing to late services.
Communication and System Changes:
• Past changes from the 2015 Evolution of Blue COA were criticized for lacking operator input. • Operators urge for better communication in the upcoming COA, especially regarding changes affecting service delivery.
• Metro E Line's introduction has led to lost service and customers avoiding it due to safety and cleanliness concerns.
Safety and Law Enforcement Interaction:
• Incidents of violence, such as a knife attack, indicate serious safety threats. • The response from law enforcement varies by jurisdiction, affecting how and when operators seek assistance.
Rider Experience and Behavior Issues:
• Riders often lack information about service shakeups and are frustrated by the reduced late service.
• Problems with high school students' behavior lead to calls for a security presence or possible service suspension.
• Homeless encampments at stops create access and safety issues, and end-of-line procedures with unhoused individuals cause delays.
Logistics and Efficiency:
• Certain high-traffic lines like 1, 3, and 7 are overburdened. • Inefficiencies in route management and operator scheduling are noted, particularly concerning bus replacements and service to specific areas like UCLA.
Staff Welfare and Morale:
• FMLA leave is frequently utilized, leading to staffing challenges. • The sense of community among operators is a positive aspect, though it is contrasted by the negative impact of inconsistent work schedules.
Overall, this focus group revealed that Big Blue Bus operators are facing significant challenges with regard to safety, fare evasion, operational logistics, and communication. There is a strong call for enhanced safety measures, improved communication with frontline workers for future service modifications, and a reassessment of service changes and their impacts on both staff and riders.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis
Motor Coach Operator Focus Group C (Lines 3, 8, 17, 23) 15 November 2023, 9-10am
Attendance: 5 MCOs, 2 Supervisors
Project Staff: Abdallah Daboussi, Josh Francis, Allison Crook (remote) Big Blue Bus Headquarters, Ops Floor 1 Conference Room
Summary: Project staff provided an introduction to the Brighter Blue COA and its goals and objectives.
The focus group then turned into a roundtable discussion prompted by the following questions:
1. In 5 words or less, what is the best part of your job driving for Big Blue Bus?
2. What needs to be fixed to make your drive better?
3. What comments or questions do you most often receive from riders?
4. Where would you like to see Big Blue Bus make improvements the most?
5. When and where do you see overcrowding on your bus?
6. When or where is your bus more empty?
Safety Concerns:
• An operator shared a scary experience with a lack of police presence when feeling unsafe.
Emphasized the need for a safety protocol for operators. • Safety issues on Line 9 related to misbehaving kids at the bus stop and on the bus at Palisades High School.
• There should be a conversation with schools about having an administrator present while kids board the bus
Communication:
• The driver highlighted a decline in communication between operators, radio-to-radio. • An operator emphasized the importance of more communication, especially regarding routes and changes.
• Operators mentioned that it is ideal for operators to brief their relief drivers before they take over
• Some operators noted that supervisors aren’t always on the same page about issues that the operators bring up. This had to do with supervisor shift changes.
Scheduling:
• Expressed challenges with break times, leading to stress among operators. Suggested better consideration for operator well-being in schedules.
• Timing issues between trains and buses, causing delays for passengers.
Detour Signs:
• General concern about detour signs not always being updated, impacting smooth traffic flow. • Signs are often not removed by supervisors in the morning leading to confusion amongst customers.
Technology
• The older generation wants brochures and traditional outreach materials on the buses, they aren’t as likely to use mobile apps or websites.
• The younger generation prefers using technology to get information and to pay with mobile devices.
Overall, Big Blue Bus operators highlighted critical issues in safety, communication, operational logistics, and technology use. Key concerns included the need for stronger safety protocols, especially given incidents at bus stops and a lack of police support. Several comments were made about the poor behavior of the Palisades High School students riding the bus. Communication gaps were noted, particularly with route changes and during operator shift handovers, exacerbated by supervisor shift changes. Scheduling problems, like aligning break times with train-bus connections, and outdated detour signage were identified as operational hurdles. The operators also pointed out a digital divide in passenger preferences, with older users favoring traditional methods and younger ones preferring digital solutions. These insights emphasize the need for a thorough reassessment of services to enhance safety, streamline communication, and cater to diverse passenger needs.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis
Motor Coach Operator Focus Group A (Lines 5, Line 7, Line 10, Line 27 ) 17 November 2023, 8-9am
Big Blue Bus Headquarters, Ops Floor 1 Conference Room
Attendance: 2 MCOs, 1 Supervisor
Project Staff: Abdallah Daboussi, Josh Francis, Bengy Mitchell (remote) Challenges in the System:
• Schedule issues, with a need for more travel time and adequate layover. • Safety concerns due to rushed schedules, leading to aggressive driving. • Tight schedules on various bus lines, including Line 12, 16, 17, and 18, leading to not enough time for breaks/relief periods.
Passenger Feedback:
• Passengers often complain about buses being late.
• Some riders suggest changing the schedule to accommodate lateness. • Issues with unruly passengers, particularly students, and the need for more focused feedback for students.
• Homeless passengers causing discomfort and complaints. • Complaints about animals, including non-service dogs causing disturbances.
Improvement Areas for BBB:
• Line-specific challenges, such as Line 17 (Gayley-Wayburn) requiring aggressive driving. • Delays on multiple lines when crossing Venice Boulevard. • Traffic congestion, especially on Line 3 due to traffic on Venice Boulevard. • Violations of bus-only lanes, a frequent occurrence.
• Challenges with parking and obstruction at various stops. • Overcrowding on certain routes during specific times, including Line 18 on weekends. • Challenges in differentiation between regular and rapid bus routes.
Overall Feedback:
• The need for improvements in scheduling, safety, and addressing passenger concerns is evident across various bus lines and situations.
The Big Blue Bus (BBB) system faces key issues in scheduling, safety, and passenger feedback. Operators struggle with insufficient travel and layover times, leading to aggressive driving, particularly on Lines 12, 16, 17, and 18. Passengers frequently complain about late buses, unruly behavior, especially from students, discomfort from homeless passengers, and disturbances by non-service animals. Line-specific challenges include aggressive driving on Line 17 and traffic delays on Venice Boulevard, impacting several routes. Issues with bus-only lane violations, parking obstructions, and overcrowding, notably on Line 18 during weekends, are also prominent. There's confusion differentiating between regular and rapid bus routes. Overall, BBB needs to focus on refining scheduling, enhancing safety measures, and addressing varied passenger concerns.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis
Santa Monica Mobility Team
6 December 2023, 10:30-11:30am
Virtual
Attendance: Jason Kligier, Colleen Stoll, Eric Bailey, Kyle Kozar, Peter Dzewaltowski, Trevor Thomas, Jack Moreau
Project Staff: Abdallah Daboussi, Alfredo Torales, Gary Hewit, Josh Francis On-Time Performance
Current on-time performance is in the low 70s, with goals set at either 75% or 85%.
Scooter and E-bike Integration
User surveys indicate higher connection rates to rail than to the Big Blue Bus (BBB). Strategies to enhance scooter use include identifying optimal routes for scooter-to-bus connections and targeting informational campaigns to users. Current phase includes three permitted scooter vendors, with plans to reduce this to two.
Upcoming regulations will mandate locking devices and specify drop zones for scooters.
Senior and Mobility-Impaired Accessibility
Challenges for seniors and mobility-impaired individuals accessing transit include limited physical amenities like benches and shades.
Inconsistencies in bus scheduling and poor communication about service changes are significant barriers.
Proposals include better amenities, more frequent and reliable service, and a broader survey to understand community needs.
Bicycle Integration
All buses are equipped with bike racks, but further data is needed to understand usage patterns. Exploring more robust bicycle infrastructure like secure bike storage similar to NYC's pilot near stations.
Consideration of bike parking boxes for easier access, especially beneficial for seniors with tricycles.
Communication and Information Accessibility
Complaints about parking and lack of information on changes in service highlight the need for improved communication.
Potential enhancements in the Transit App could aid in better planning and understanding of transit options.
Service Adjustments and Innovations
Discussion of consolidating bus stops to streamline service, while ensuring it does not hinder accessibility.
Exploring different service models, such as more reliable short trip shuttles or on-demand services similar to those in San Diego.
Bus-only lanes at critical points could improve service efficiency.
Planning and Policy Development
Need for a systematic approach to understanding the origins and destinations of riders to better tailor services.
Collaboration with the Mobility Team to enhance service planning and execution. Legal and infrastructure challenges in integrating bikes and buses, with a focus on creating safe and efficient shared spaces.
Development and Urban Planning
Ongoing developments are increasingly featuring limited or no parking to encourage transit use and reduce car dependency.
Importance of being proactive in planning discussions to ensure transit-friendly policies and infrastructure.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis
Transit Agencies Focus Group
4 January 2024, 3-4pm
Attendance:
• Metro: Joe Forgiarini, Scott Greene, Carl Torres
• Culver City: Dorothy Suchkova, Diana Chang
• LADOT: Kay Sasaki
Project Staff: Alfredo Torales (BBB), Abdallah Daboussi (BBB), Joseph Santiago (BBB), Melissa Sather (TMD), Josh Francis (AA), Jessica Mendoza (AA)
Summary: Project staff presented an overview of the Brighter Blue COA's goals and objectives, seeking feedback from representatives of Culver City, Metro, and LADOT on key issues in the Big Blue Bus service area. This was followed by a roundtable discussion, which was initiated with these questions:
1. What is the long-term plan for Metro bus service on Wilshire and Santa Monica?
2. Are there any plans for new bus service from any of the agencies on the westside that Big Blue Bus should be aware of?
3. Where is there service by one of our agencies that may potentially be better served by the other?
4. Where is there service by one of our agencies that may potentially be better served by the other?
5. What are the long-term plans for service in Westchester and Playa Del Rey?
6. Where does it make sense for Metro & BBB to connect along the Pico Blvd corridor?
7. Any updates on the Metro Rail projects that we should be aware of? The following summarizes the discussion of the focus group.
Long term plan for Metro bus service
• Metro Purple Line Extension Project (D line) will have a lot of effects on lines 20 and 720. • Metro Purple Line phase I ends at La Cienega, phase II ends at Century City and phase III ends at VA hospital.
• Metro’s bus service will be adjusted as the Purple Line Extension phases open for operations • Metro’s Next Gen plan includes plans for most rapid transit to cease and for local transit to expand to Santa Monica.
• Line 4 is expected to remain busy.
• Metro will cut back on the rapid 720 service eventually as the purple line extension is finished.
Ridership will be observed to determine whether to keep it going or cancel the service and let the local service 20 run on Wilshire Blvd.
• Metro anticipates adding service and modifying routes, especially in Beverly Hills.
New bus service plans from agencies
• LA Metro is trying to get out of the Peninsula and hand service over there over to BBB. • Metro is having challenges within the Westwood area, specifically at the GSA building. The federal building asked Metro to vacate from and is not allowing to drive through their property. Metro is in the process of relocating layovers to alternative locations. There will be modifications of line 20, 720 and 602 layovers.
• Culver City has focused their attention on building bus and bike lanes. • Culver City’s downtown corridor has implemented bus lanes. • Culver City has implemented the downtown circulator service, a fixed route service along Culver City downtown corridor.
• Metro’s service line 115 that operates in Playa Del Rey, has major issues as there is lack of weekend service LA Metro IS waiting for BBB to have a weekend service on their route 16 before they shut down line 115 or at least not serve Playa Del Rey anymore. • Metro Micro is coming to an end and there is no final decision on the future for the eight Metro micro zones as there was redundancy in the service, but it was also popular in zones such as UCLA. • LADOT does not have new plans now for a new bus service in the area. In the near future, they anticipate conducting a COA for their service.
Planning
• Culver City will release an RFP for their comprehensive Mobility services plan and plans to kick off in March similar to Santa Monicas efforts. The line-by-line system wide analysis to see the needs of mobility within Culver City service area and propose changes and recommendations to their system and that could potentially include more services especially because they are looking at the planning of service for the Olympics.
• Culver City plans to add a Jefferson circulator in their Line 4 Jefferson Corridor. • Culver City is looking at the possibility of identifying additional funding for the transit center and looking for another site, this is something they will need to check with their business development team because there is a question about the mall property. • Metro and BBB expressed interest in routing buses to the Culver City Transit Center, Culver City mentioned that the center was constructed in anticipation of other agencies using its bays. • Metro anticipates they will be assessing commute patterns, if they have changed post covid this may cause the potential schedule changes of Commuter Express and microtransit (LA Now) services. • BBB has the services plans mapped out for Marina del Rey and look forward toward its implementation.
• Metro Line 108 may potentially be cut.
• Metro’s purple line extension to La Cienega extension is tentatively scheduled to begin operations in mid-2025 but date is likely to change. Extension to Century City extension is scheduled for completion in September 2026, and Westwood extension is anticipated to begin operations in 2027. • LADOT is planning the commuter express route 437B from Westchester Playa, Playa del Rey, and then to the freeway to downtown.
• All agencies agreed that meeting on a quarterly basis to discuss these ongoing regional planning updates and changes would be a good idea.
Rail
• Metro provides updates on the rail projects. K line was recently to bumped up to 10-minute peak period for the live rail it was implemented in December 2023 depending on what happens with demand they may move to 6 minutes.
• Metro plans to combine their C line and K line in the next 12 months for the airports new station.
They will need to restructure operations for both lines.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis
Neighborhood Associations Focus Group
9 January 2024, 3:30-4:30pm
Attendance:
• MK – City Neighbors Boards and Passengers
• Amy
• Jerry Rubin
Project Staff: Alfredo Torales (BBB), Robert McCall (BBB), Melissa Sather (TMD), Josh Francis (AA), Jessica Mendoza (AA)
Summary: Project staff presented an overview of the Brighter Blue COA's goals and objectives, seeking feedback from representatives of neighborhood associations on key issues in the Big Blue Bus (BBB) service area. This was followed by a roundtable discussion, which was initiated with these questions.
The following summarizes the discussion of the focus group.
Discussion Question 1: Do you currently use or have you ever used the big blue bus system? • Jerry shared he has never had a car in his life and has been a BBB rider for many years and he knows that BBB has won best bus service in America. His past wife sold her van to ride the BBB. He was very appreciative of the service during covid. The major dilemma is how do we encourage people to leave their car at home and take the BBB or an alternative transportation. He hopes we find an alternative mode and he appreciates the transition to electric vehicles; he takes Route 1, 2, 3, 7, 18.
The bus 18 stops in front of his residence. The BBB made a service for his wife memorial service. He stated for the most part the bus is on time. He encourages people to ride the BBB. • Amy lives in Ocean Park and rides BBB route 8 and route 16 and sometimes route 7. She wishes route 41 to be more feasible for her in Ocean Park.
• MK takes route 1 but also frequents route 5 and 3 until they reduce `the hours. She takes the bus 7 days a week and multiple times a week.
Discussion Question #2: What are the main challenges or limitations you currently face when using the Big Blue Bus system, and how do these impact your daily commutes or travel plans? • MK shared the main challenges are the inadequate amount of lighting at bus stops as well as for the driver to improve visibility. MK shared that bus delays and lack of buses to get around when she has three transfers impact her commutes. She shared for BBB to install more sanitation in the bus maybe installing HEPA system. Mk shared there are a lot of people who have strollers and wheelchairs that take the R10 head to downtown, but they still need to take a long walk for 15-20 minutes. She voiced that they need an R1, modification will help to bring ridership up. • Amy shared her biggest beef is the arrival times, trying to catch a transfer there’s no bus then there’s three or four all at once. Timing needs to improve. She is concerned about line 7 express instead of increasing frequency on other routes such as line 15, line 8. Amy shared management does not ride the bus.
o EX. While you are on bus 1, bus 2 is passing by and you are missing your transfer. Bus arrival times are designed to meet.
o EX: Going north bound at 14 and 15 are scheduled to arrive at train station at the same time but for the person waiting or their train came late they’re going to miss both buses.
She is concerned for the killing of the line; she expressed how they’ve seen it on route 10 now only go certain rounds during the morning then evening when they can be caring riders, she expressed it is a problem efficiency wise. Amy shared the New Year’s Eve free rides was laughable because the last bus left Santa Monica at 12am. • Jerry has always been appreciative of the community meetings the BBB has held. He stated “Go green, ride blue”. He is disappointed, there needs to be more effort for cashless machines in the bus to shorten line. Jerry has hopes for the push on Tap cards. Jerry shared drivers are very sensitive to help ADA individuals. On 4th and Pico, the rapid 7th and bus 3 doesn’t stop, people wait for the bus 3 and they are left there, he wishes there was a way to work this out. Cars are backed up and make bus drivers be in traffic.
Discussion Question #3: If you don’t use the BBB system, what changes could be made to the system to make it a more attractive transportation option for you? MK:
• MK express changes to make it more attractive would be to bring more buses for more service and the implementation of an R1. She recommends improving the lighting because there is a lot more crime and Santa Monica Blvd gets dark. She encourages BBB to make it more inviting and add more frequency and more options because she doesn’t want to have to walk 7 blocks. MK shared she has notes stemming from 2016, that she will share with the team. She reiterated that if you miss your transfer because of the timing of the buses, then your stuck in a shady area or have to run to another area to catch another bus.
• Amy agreed with MK in BBB improving lighting at bus stops and the need for the improvement of busses being on time because if you miss for example the 15 then you will wait one hour.
Having better coordination of travel time would help with missing transfers. BBB would be more attractive if buses operated at later hours because she would be able to attend city council meetings. Since buses do not operate late, she is only able to get to the meeting but not able to get back home. Amy expressed route 16 now goes into Playa del Rey which is great but if you want to go to dinner you can’t get home because there are no buses. She suggested incorporating lighting to make it more visible for drivers to see you and for safety. Highlight marketing campaigns where people can go ex: this bus goes to Trader Joes and show BBB service is for everyone not just for people and not for management. • Jerry encouraged t-shirts to promote BBB and encouraged leaders to ride the bus. He suggested maybe senior citizens ride a month for free to promote the services the bus offers.
Discussion Question #4: How well do residents of your neighborhood association understand the BBB system and what it offers? What can be done to increase that understanding and help increase ridership of Santa Monica residents?
• MK shared that anyone who lives in Santa Monica knows about BBB. MK owns two vehicles but she chose to become more sustainable and reduce her carbon footprint, but she is tired of walking 7 blocks because she misses transfers because of bus delays. MK shared lots of residents don’t take the BBB because of lighting, frequency and killing of Lines. MK invited BBB team to her members meeting the 3rd Tuesday of every month, this month is January 16, then Feb.20 to inform residents to care about the bus, she encourages BBB to attend the meetings. and implement more sustainability this would increase BBB system and what it offers. MK shared the streets are not safe right now and if the buses are safer and more frequently it would increase ridership. To entice people to use the bus some things would be to extend the 14 bus to the Westfield mall, show highlights to people of where they can travel, and bring back a downtown bus. Highlighting places will really be attractive.
• Amy lives in Ocean Park Blvd for 20 years and for most years she’s owned a car, she used to see the buses, but didn’t know where they went, and it was just easier for her to hop in her car. Amy expressed a lot of people don’t know where the buses go and how they can benefit. Maybe buses are not frequent enough or they miss transfers so maybe their car works best for them. Amy shared that BBB staff and management don’t ride the bus and that is a problem. People feel like they don’t get heard from customer service when they call. Council members once they get your report, they unanimously vote yes just like everything they do for BBB because they don’t ride either so they think whatever you present to them is going to be awesome but they can’t relate either because they are not even representing the city because they the bus. Amy shared the BBB needs to educate the public about the buses. Free BBB to BBB transfer was a good thing but at the same time it did not lower the fare before it was $50 and it is still $50, there’s a lot of room for improvement. • Jerry shares the Ocean Park Association and does a lot to reach out to the community and they have Zoom meetings every Wednesday. Many former members and council members do ride the bus and he wish they would interview them because people do ride that bus. Most of the people who complain about the bus are people who have never ridden it.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis
Neighborhood Associations Focus Group
10 January 2024, 8:30-9:30am
Attendance:
• Nancy
• Chistina Allen
• Natasha Rusler
Project Staff: Alfredo Torales (BBB), Melissa Sather (TMD), Josh Francis (AA), Jessica Mendoza (AA) Summary: Project staff presented an overview of the Brighter Blue COA's goals and objectives, seeking feedback from representatives of neighborhood associations on key issues in the Big Blue Bus service area. This was followed by a roundtable discussion, which was initiated with these questions. The following summarizes the discussion of the focus group.
Discussion Question 1: Do you currently use, or have you ever used the Big Blue Bus system? • Nancy is a member of Sunset Park and has lived in Santa Monica for 30 years. She used to ride the Big Blue Bus (BBB) system in the past. She would use the BBB to go to the airport museum, pier, children museum and to go to UCLA. For UCLA she would take bus 8. During the pandemic she stopped using the bus because now her classes are online that she used to take in person. • Christina Allen does not ride the bus, but her children do, she has a middle school child that takes the BBB and complains about the bus punctuality because it causes him to be late to school. The school uses the bus for field trips. Nancy’s high schooler child used to use the bus more in middle school more than high school, he has used it for UCLA and SMC, but does not use it regularly. Nancy stated her children feel safe on the BBB.
• Natasha Rusler is a resident of Sunset Park, and she does not ride the bus, but her teens do. Natasha used to ride the bus and remembers as a child taking bus 8 to the pier. Natasha has six children and three of her children actively ride the bus and two have e-bikes and two own a small business. One of the small businesses is on Lincoln and Santa Monica Blvd and the other business is in Lincoln Park.
Natasha shared she noticed a lower ridership and One of the sticky parks is how they pay for the bus.
Discussion Question #2: What are the main challenges or limitations you currently face when using the Big Blue Bus system, and how do these impact your daily commutes or travel plans? • Nancy greatest limitations was during the pandemic and it was her safety as she is 73 years old and that limited her from using the BBB. Nancy expressed she feels safe when riding the bus as she sits next to the driver, she does not sit in the back where things can happen. Nancy only rides in the morning at 8 am and 9 am.
• Christina expressed her schedule is the main challenge for those morning buses. Sometimes buses arrive earlier and depart earlier so she prefers to take her own car for the convenience. Christina shared her children have expressed that they enjoy having the Tap card but do not like that Tap cards expires every 30 days if they don’t use it. Christina’s children rides up and down Ocean Park Blvd and takes bus 8 to UCLA. Her children get Tap cards through the school. • Natasha does not use BBB because she expressed time is money. She has issues with the Tap card.
Natasha travels up and down Ocean Dr. and also travels to Pico.
Discussion Question #3: If you don’t use the BBB system, what changes could be made to the system to make it a more attractive transportation option for you? • Natasha expressed that for the BBB to be an option for her it would have to be an ultra-convenient stops as well if they incorporated free rides a couple days of the year. She provided ideas for BBB to have a free BBB community day, for BBB to offer a museum day, offer a discount to certain locations, provide stickers to riders on bus days or maybe let kids in the community decorate the BBB. Natahsa expressed the convenience and comfort of a car factor into her not taking the BBB. • Chritina shared that she encourages museum day or a trip to UCLA to make the system more attractive. She also shared that bus stops may be uncomfortable as she has anxiety waiting for a bus, and sometimes some bus stops have sun shade and some do not. She recommended for the bus stop designs be purposeful.
• Nancy agreed with Natasha and Christina in offering the public free rides for specific days would make the BBB more attractive. She shared that maybe for the 4th of July having a bus at the end of the parade for individuals would be helpful or providing an incentive to encourage riders to take the bus, she also propose a free ride to get ice cream. Nancy shared that some stops only one place to stand.
Discussion Question #4: How well do residents of your neighborhood association understand the BBB system and what it offers? What can be done to increase that understanding and help increase ridership of Santa Monica residents?
Nancy shared that the BBB drviers are great. She encourages BBB to work on promoting their service by increasing visibility because individuals may not know where the BBB goes or people do not know how to take the bus.
Natasha shared residents don’t know what is going on, mostly everyone I know uses cars. She recommended the city to put together an informational map or scavenger hunt where people can learn about interesting facts as they travel through Santa Monica.
Christina shared that to increase ridership BBB needs to remind people its an experience, she encourages BBB to attend a community meeting to share their services. She offered to put the survey in the ocean park survey.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis
Neighborhood Associations Focus Group
11 January 2024, 6:30-7:30pm
Attendance:
• Amy
• Jennifer O.
Project Staff: Abdallah Daboussi, Josh Francis (AA), Allison Crook (AA) Summary: Project staff presented an overview of the Brighter Blue COA's goals and objectives, seeking feedback from representatives of neighborhood associations on key issues in the Big Blue Bus (BBB) service area. This was followed by a roundtable discussion, which was initiated with these questions. The following summarizes the discussion of the focus group.
Discussion Question 1: Do you currently use, or have you ever used the Big Blue Bus system? • Amy is a resident Santa Monica and resides in Ocean Park and 23rd. She does use the Big Blue Blus system she takes bus routes 8 and 16. Amy desires for route 41 to touch Ocean Park Boulevard because of where she is located, she wants to be able to use it more frequently. • Jennifer is a resident of Santa Monica and resides in Sunset Park. She is a bus rider and uses multimodal transportation overall. Jennifer utilizes the bus once a week, she frequents routes 7, 8, 14, 1, and 2. Jennifer uses the Big Blue Bus system to commute for entertainment and shopping in UCLA area, Medical Center and Westwood.
Discussion Question 2: What are the main challenges or limitations you currently face when using the Big Blue Bus system, and how do these impact your daily commutes or travel plans? • Jennifer shared the main challenge when using the system is the frequency. There is an overcrowding on the 7 and she shared it’s such poor marketing or visualization for the public because it discourages people to utilize it. Commuters are sitting on Pico for a long time because of the backup and overcrowding on 17, also on the high school there’s large crowd of people and it is unfair for people commuting.
• Amy shared her biggest challenge is the transferring and the timing of the buses. There is a guarantee people will miss their transfer, she explained how before people disembark from their first bus their second bus has already passed them and they miss their bus. Amy shared the bus system is counterintuitive. Amy shared there is an absence of a north-south route in Santa Monica.
Discussion Question 3: For people who don’t use the BBB system, what are the changes that can make the system more enticing to your neighbors and your friends? • Jennifer shared the changes that would make the system more enticing would-be frequency. A fee for transfers needs to be eliminated, the process needs to be smoother. • Amy shared frequency and lighting at the bus stops.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis
Mobility Advocacy Groups
18 January 2024, 2:30-3:30pm
Attendance:
• Barbara Filet- Pico Neighborhood Association
• Cynthia Rose- Santa Monica Spoke
• Cris Gutierrez – Streets Alliance
• Caro Vilian – Evo LA
• Jayro- GoSoMo
• Juan- Santa Monica Family For Safe Streets
• Pam O’Connor – Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission • Mario Melgarejo- Community Engagement Climate Santa Monica Project Staff: Alfredo Torales (BBB), Robert McCall (BBB), Melissa Sather (TMD), Josh Francis (AA), Allison Crook
Summary: Project staff presented an overview of the Brighter Blue COA's goals and objectives, seeking feedback from representatives of neighborhood associations on key issues in the Big Blue Bus (BBB) service area. This was followed by a roundtable discussion, which was initiated with these questions.
The following summarizes the discussion of the focus group.
Discussion Question 1: Do you currently use or have you ever used the big blue bus system? • Barbara Filet encouraged the use of buses and brought attention to challenges related to student access.
• Boris voiced concerns regarding the absence of dedicated bus lanes, insufficient service frequency, and inconvenient start times.
• Cynthia Rose shared her personal experiences, having to adjust meetings due to issues with the BBB 10 schedule.
• Caro Vilian and Jayro did not provide specific contributions during the discussion. • Juan expressed worries about blocked bus lanes within the city, hindering efficient transit. • Pam O'Connor highlighted issues with payment clarity and advocated for better transfer options.
Discussion Question #2: What are the main challenges or limitations you currently face when using the Big Blue Bus system, and how do these impact your daily commutes or travel plans? • Barbara Filet shared her firsthand experience with bus delays at Pico and 28th Street, highlighting the impact of full buses causing students to be consistently late. She suggested potential solutions, including increasing service on route 7 and adjusting bus schedules upon dropping off students.
• Boris took the opportunity to advocate for a transparent public explanation of service funding and scheduling.
• Cynthia Rose emphasized the crucial role of collecting community input to inform transportation decisions.
• Cris Gutierrez brought attention to climate action initiatives, underlining the importance of environmental considerations in transit planning.
• Caro Vilian addressed reliability concerns for SaMoHi students using BBB services. Juan proposed a specific solution by suggesting the use of M trippers from Bundy to address service issues for Samohi, particularly for shorter distances.
• Pam O'Connor advocated for increased service and social media engagement as vital strategies.
Pam O'Connor highlighted issues with payment clarity and advocated for better transfer options.
• Mario Melgarejo highlighted the importance of reaching non-English speaking populations and high school students in transit planning.
• Nancy Sanchez urged for increased frequency, especially during rainy weather, and emphasized the need for improved signage at bus stops.
• Lorene called for more meetings, data analysis, and efforts to reduce greenhouse gases as integral components of transportation planning.
Discussion Question #3: If you don’t use the BBB system, what changes could be made to the system to make it a more attractive transportation option for you? • Cris Gutierrez discussed concerns related to the hours of operation, emphasizing the need for attention to the timing aspect of transportation services. • Caro Vilian suggested an improvement in transit connectivity by proposing the introduction of more lines that connect to Expo stations. She emphasized the importance of frequent services, catering to various time needs, including both early and late hours. • Jayro did not provide a specific contribution during the meeting. • Juan did not offer any specific contributions or comments during the discussion. • Pam O’Connor criticized the inefficiency of the circuit during peak hours, attributing it to limited vehicles and capacity constraints. She further highlighted the pressing issue of K-12 school transportation, pointing out the challenge arising from everyone having the same schedule. • Mario Melgarejo did not provide any specific contributions or comments during the meeting. • Nancy Sanchez did not offer any specific contributions or comments during the discussion. • Lorene expressed support for Juan's point about boosting and supporting the circuit, indicating agreement with the importance of enhancing the efficiency of the existing transit system. • Michael advocated for better integration of bike share with BBB (Big Blue Bus), emphasizing the need for seamless coordination between different modes of transportation. • Parama highlighted the importance of considering transportation solutions beyond Santa Monica, suggesting a broader perspective on transit planning and implementation.
Discussion Question #4: How well do residents of your neighborhood association understand the BBB system and what it offers? What can be done to increase that understanding and help increase ridership of Santa Monica residents?
• Boris highlighted the discrepancy between the planned bus schedules and their actual arrival times. He also advocated for wider sidewalks to enhance pedestrian access. • Cynthia Rose echoed sentiments she had expressed for decades, emphasizing the need for certain improvements.
• Cris Gutierrez suggested an ideal bus frequency of every 10 minutes and emphasized the importance of promoting the perception that riding the bus is classy and upscale. • Caro Vilian expressed agreement with a point made during the discussion. • Jayro did not contribute specific comments during this part of the meeting. • Juan proposed the concept of Universal Basic Mobility (UBM) and humorously speculated about identifying the data scientist at a large urban transit operator. • Pam O'Connor highlighted the necessity for increased late-night services to neighborhoods, expansion of the circuit's service area, and the need for better information on transfer points.
She stressed the importance of addressing safety concerns for all residents, regardless of economic status. Pam suggested raising parking prices and implementing congestion pricing to support transit, improving bus stop amenities, enhancing lighting at bus stops, and intensifying social media efforts.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis
UCLA Staff and Faculty Focus Group
25 January 2024, 1:00-2:30pm
Attendance:
• Phoebe Chiu
• Tierra Sowell
• Michelle Shimogawa
• Consuelo Garcia
• Daniel Contreras
• Jacob Wasserman
• Wendy Conlon
• Sheehan Parker
• Christina Godinez
• Brian Juarez
• Nick Efron
• Carolyn Attanucci
• Ronald Richards
Project Staff: Alfredo Torales (BBB), Joseph Santiago (BBB), Robert McCall (BBB), Abdallah Daboussi (BBB), Amber Mallard (TMD), Melissa Sather (TMD), Josh Francis (AA), Jessica Mendoza (AA) Summary: Project staff presented an overview of the Brighter Blue COA's goals and objectives, seeking feedback from UCLA Faculty and Staff on key issues in the Big Blue Bus (BBB) service area. This was followed by a roundtable discussion, which was initiated with these questions. The following summarizes the discussion of the focus group.
• Service Improvements and User Feedback: Participants discussed various improvements for the Big Blue Bus service, focusing on increasing bus frequency, extending operating hours, and improving bus route connections. The feedback highlighted the need for more frequent buses during peak hours and for routes that better align with user schedules, especially for those commuting to and from UCLA.
• Accessibility and Amenities: There was significant conversation about enhancing accessibility for seniors and those with mobility issues. Suggestions included more frequent bus services, better communication about service changes, and improved physical bus stop amenities like benches and shade, which would make waiting for buses more comfortable and accessible. • Technology and Information Accuracy: Participants expressed concerns about the accuracy of bus schedules and real-time updates. Enhancing the reliability of digital tools and ensuring that the information is precise were noted as crucial for improving user trust and convenience. • Coverage and Route Adjustments: The discussion also covered the need to reassess bus routes and possibly expand coverage to underserved areas, which might help improve commute times and access to UCLA. Specific mentions were made about the need for better connections to places like Century City Mall.
• Environmental and Policy Considerations: Ideas were shared about integrating more sustainable practices and policies, such as transitioning to a zero-emission fleet and considering the impacts of these changes on service efficiency and environmental goals.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis
SMC Faculty and Staff Focus Group
2 February 2024, 1:00-2:00pm
Attendance:
• Kawar Ferris
• Victor Vazquez
• Jeremy Lange
• Rebecca Yilma
Project Staff: Abdallah Daboussi (BBB), Joseph Santiago (BBB), Amber Mallard (TMD), Melissa Sather (TMD), Josh Francis (AA), Jessica Mendoza (AA)
Summary: Project staff presented an overview of the Brighter Blue COA's goals and objectives, seeking feedback from representatives of Santa Monica College on key issues in the Big Blue Bus service area.
This was followed by a roundtable discussion, which was initiated with these questions. The following summarizes the discussion of the focus group.
Service Challenges and User Feedback
• Parking and Accessibility: The free parking due to COVID has decreased bus ridership since parking costs are a critical factor for many choosing between driving and using public transport. • Route Popularity: The No. 44 bus line, popular for connectivity between main and Bundy campuses, is highlighted as essential for resumption to facilitate travel for students and faculty. • Bus Frequency and Reliability: Concerns were raised about the infrequency and unreliability of buses, which affects the ability to plan dependable travel, particularly for staff commuting from places like Culver City.
Technological Enhancements
• Real-time Information: The use of the transit app was discussed with suggestions for improvements to real-time tracking to make it more reliable, as current inaccuracies lead to frustrations among users.
Route Modifications and Requests
• Specific Route Enhancements: Discussions included suggestions for increasing the frequency of certain routes, revising schedules to better accommodate the academic timetable, and improving connectivity between campuses and other key destinations to enhance user convenience.
Infrastructure and Policy Considerations
• Bus Lanes and Infrastructure: The possibility of dedicated bus lanes to improve transit times and avoid common traffic delays was considered a potential solution to enhance service efficiency.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis
Familias Latinas Unidas
23 Februarty 2024, 2:30-3:30pm
Participation: 15
Project staff: Alfredo Torales (BBB), Jessica Mendoza (AA) • Routing Concerns: There's a significant need for more direct routes, particularly along Santa Monica Blvd, as current routes like the 41 are not meeting community needs effectively. The 41 bus route is noted to be indirect and inefficient, making it difficult for residents, especially when attending church or other crucial engagements on weekends. • Frequency and Timeliness: The wait times for buses like the 41 and 43 can range from 20-40 minutes, which is inconvenient for daily commuters. An instance was mentioned where it took someone over two hours to cover an 8-mile journey that would only take 10 minutes by car. • Accessibility Issues: The community highlighted the challenges faced by elderly and disabled individuals, including a lack of local bus options that cater to their mobility needs. Instances were noted where elderly people struggled to return from dialysis appointments due to inadequate bus service.
• Safety and Comfort on Buses: Concerns about safety on the buses were expressed, particularly relating to encounters with homeless individuals and potential threats. The community feels that while security is being planned, it’s essential that it does not lead to profiling or discomfort among the passengers.
• Service Improvements Suggestions:
o Enhanced Bus Frequency: There's a need for more frequent bus services, especially during peak hours and on routes that are crucial for daily activities of the residents. o Infrastructure Improvements: Better bus stop amenities are needed, such as adequate shelters and seating to accommodate the elderly and protect all passengers from weather elements.
o Communication and Customer Service: Improvements in operator training and customer service were recommended to ensure that bus drivers are considerate and efficient in handling passengers, especially the elderly. o Equitable Treatment: Reports of discriminatory treatment by bus operators based on race were discussed, with a call for fair treatment of all passengers. o Technology and Payment: Difficulties with the TAP card system were mentioned, with suggestions to make it more user-friendly and accessible, possibly through mobile integration.
• Recommendations for Management:
o Installation of comment boxes on buses or a direct line for passenger feedback to improve communication.
o The possibility of discounted or promotional fare programs to encourage local bus usage, taking inspiration from successful community discount initiatives.
Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis
SMC Students Focus Group
29 February 2024, 3:00-4:00pm
Attendance:
• Esmi Hernandez
• David Duncan
• Chrissy Washington
Project Staff: Alfredo Torales (BBB), Abdallah Daboussi (BBB), Josh Francis (AA) Summary: Project staff presented an overview of the Brighter Blue COA's goals and objectives, seeking feedback from SMC students on key issues in the Big Blue Bus service area. This was followed by a roundtable discussion, which was initiated with these questions. The following summarizes the discussion of the focus group.
Service Challenges and Enhancements
• Service Frequency and Timing: Students expressed concerns about the infrequency and timing of buses, particularly for lines that are crucial for their commute. The lack of frequent service makes it difficult to rely on public transport, impacting their punctuality for classes. • Extended Service Hours: There is a need for extended bus service hours, especially in the evenings to accommodate students attending night classes or participating in late activities.
Technological Improvements
• Real-time Information Accuracy: Students highlighted issues with the accuracy of real-time updates in the transit app, which affects their ability to plan their commutes reliably.
Infrastructure Enhancements
• Bus Stop Amenities: The lack of adequate shelters and seating at bus stops near campus was noted. Improvements in this area could enhance the overall comfort and usability of the bus service.
Route Adjustments
• Route Optimization: Discussions included optimizing bus routes to better serve the SMC community, ensuring that buses are available when and where they are needed most, and possibly reevaluating routes to reduce the need for multiple transfers.
Policy and Planning Considerations
• Student Involvement and Feedback: Engaging with the student government and broader student body to gather more comprehensive feedback on transit needs was discussed as a means to better tailor services to student schedules and needs.
This summary focuses on operational improvements and student feed Appendix B.2
Notification for Focus Group
Meetings
1 Josh Francis
From: Josh Francis <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2024 5:20 PM
Subject: LAST CALL: Big Blue Bus Mobility Advocates Focus Group Meeting Hello,
The City of Santa Monica is conducting a focus group meeting tomorrow, Jan. 18 from 2:30-3:30pm to discuss the Big Blue Bus system and the Brighter Blue Comprehensive Analysis (COA) process that is ongoing. Our team would love to hear from organizations like yours as we look to address issues with the system and discuss new ideas for improving transit for all in the Santa Monica and West LA area.
If you are able to join us, you can register here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElcuyuqjojHNAFghhRy7JInvi9ga-lSBBz If you would like more information on the Brighter Blue COA, you can visit www.brighterbluebbb.com. If you're unable to join tomorrow, we will have additional outreach activities including public workshops in March. Stay tuned for more information on those.
Best,
Josh Francis
Brighter Blue COA Outreach Team
Appendix B.3
Motor Coach Operator Survey
Results
Appendix C
Appendix C.1
Community Survey Results
not sure
Increased frequency and later hours of service
N/A
n/a
More one seat rides
Bus lanes
More crosstown service weekends
safer
Timeliness. I prefer to drive more often than not because taking the bus will automatically add an hour to my trip. It's usually because the bus is late, and sometimes never shows.
Make homeless pay for fare
Better stops with shade and seating and trash cans bus lanes that speed up buses and faster headways! n/a
Not sure
your feedback to us directly at [email protected]. 233
more maps available
The Santa Monica-bound Number 8 bus drivers should make sure to stop at Brookhaven/Barrington.
They have a tendency to skip it and drop off passengers at Gateway/Barrington. Also, it would be more convenient to have more frequent #8 buses during the day.
I’m a happy rider
Add more new routes perhaps a line to Disney land
Line 14 should run until midnight
¹
Most people take the aisle seat and leave the window seat empty and are rude when you ask them to scoot over; Some drivers literally just sit there at each stop; Buses should run more frequent during rush hour and school dismissal with more shuttles for students in middle schools and high schools; Some trips don't announce the stops and some people could miss their stop as they may not know they're way around; There needs to be dividers between each row of seats so we're not so close to each other and to maintain social distancing; If there's an attendant on the bus, they should make sure that customers don't take over the aisle seat with the window seat empty and not be rude when someone asks them politely too scoot over or get up for them
I have a hard time understanding the push to use public transportation when so much of valuable time is wasted waiting for the bus. I'd rather spend an hour driving in my car than 2 waiting for the bus, and god forbid, a transfer!
out of 424 answered
I would like route 16 to be ON TIME. I take it home from middle school (NB) every day and it's ALWAYS late. Sometimes as much as 30 min.
If the homeless don’t pay why should I.
Make Traci park put bus lanes on Lincoln and make the SM bus lanes 24/7 and stop letting the police park in them
easier access to the schedules
Homeless people on bus scare off people who have the choice of using a car Overall, very happy with BBB. Buses are clean, drivers are friendly, and it takes me to the train. Would like more frequency in the evening. The frequency issue is not BBB specific, but points to larger infrastructure issues
Answered in previous comment.
I love the the cleanliness of the buses and the friendly operators THANK YOU! Please keep on doing what you’re doing.
I think you have a great service.
I love the BBB but as I am also a cyclist and a car driver, I sometimes find them very aggressive.
Allow people to pay the fare using their contactless credit/ debit card for faster boarding.
Appendix D
Appendix D.1
Public Workshops Presentations
Thank you!
Análisis Operativo Integral (COA)
Brighter Blue
Taller público
March 7, 2024
Prioridades para las
mejoras
Ajustes del diseño del servicio
Actividad de prioridades
para las mejoras
Próximos pasos
¡Muchas gracias!
Appendix D.2
Public Workshops Eblast
Notifications
!
"
#
"
"$ %&
'
"
(
)*+,-./*0-1213*-4 56789:;<=7>?@=A BCDECFDGHIJGKLMNIOPOQ NRPPSJTURPPSJ VWWXJCCYZE[ \4]1,-40^404
_`abc7?=`<=7>?@=A dMeKFDGHIJGKLMfIOPOQ gRhPSJTfRhPSJ iGEYGJWEZLGJGZEjZkKGKHI JelYZmeKmWFCnWWX \4]1,-40^404 oGkKpZEYCKmKCYGLZqECECFmGrWlDZFmWEZklCstuHWeKCveZKCGEHlGE[eG[CWK GLLCFFZkZlZYHGLLWXXWDGYZWEuWKYMZFwWKxFMWmImlCGFCLWEYGLYeFGYlCGFYfO MWeKFmKZWKYWYMCwWKxFMWmDGYCsy:>c=97z97{c|} ~GEYGYYCEDGwWKxFMWmBCDFYZlllWCHWeKuCCDkGLx~lZLxYMCkeYYWEkClWw YWYGxCWeKOTXZEeYCFeKCHs z8:|=``c 8c ZFZYWeKwCkFZYCGYkKZ[MYCKkleCkkksLWXuWKXWKCZEuWKXGYZWEWEYMCKZ[MYCK leC~stuHWeMGCGEHveCFYZWEFImlCGFCLWEYGLYeF GYkKZ[MYCKkleCFGEYGXWEZLGs[Ws QQQQYMiYsIiGEYGJWEZLG~PQP ~GlleFRhPQgTgQQQ~WEYGLYeFZGiGEYGJWEZLGhZFZYeFRkZ[kleCkeFsLWX *4004+
!
"#
$
%
&
""
"
#
$
' ()
*
+
,-./012-304546-07 89:;<=>?@:ABC@D EFGHFIGJKLMJNOPQLRSRT QUSSVMWXUSSVM YZZ[MFF\]H^ _7`4/073a737
bcdef:B@c?@:ABC@D gPhNIGJKLMJNOPiLRSRT jUkSVMWiUkSVM lJH\JMZH]OJMJ]Hm]nNJNKL Mho\]phNpZIFqZZ[ _7`4/073a737 r=Af@<:s<:tfuv wJHx\J\\FHGJyZNzIPZp{EF|GI\]oooZ}FKZhN~FFGnJOzwo]Oz\PFnh\\ZHnFoZy \Z\JzFZhNRW[]Hh\FIhN}FK s;=u@ccf;f ]I]\ZhNyFnI]\FJ\nN]^P\FNnohFnnnOZ[~ZN[ZNF]H~ZN[J\]ZHZH\PF N]^P\FN
ohFw~KZhPJ}FJHKhFI\]ZHILpoFJIFOZH\JO\hIJ\ nN]^P\FNnohFIJH\J[ZH]OJ^Z} TTTT\Pl\LlJH\JMZH]OJwSTS wJoohIUkSTjWjTTTwZH\JO\hI}]JlJH\JMZH]OJk]I]\hIUn]^nohFnhIOZ[ EJH\\ZOPJH^FPZyKZhNFOF]}F\PFIFF[J]oI{ ZhOJHhpGJ\FKZhNpNF~FNFHOFIZNhHIhnION]nF~NZ[\P]Io]I\ -7337.
¡¢ ¤ ¥¦ ¡ £
Appendix D.3
Public Workshops Social Media
Notifications
Appendix D.4
Public Workshop Newspaper
Advertisements
The Current
SMDP
Santa Monica Mirror
Santa Monica Mirror Leaderboard
Santa Monica Mirror
Samta Monica Daily Bruin Banner
Santa Monica Daily Bruin Top Banner
Corsair Advertisement
Bruin Walk Premium
Appendix D.5
Public Workshops Flyers and
Take Ones Notification
Appendix D.6
Public Workshops SMS
Notifications
Appendix D.7
Public Workshops Press
Releases
!
"
#
"
$
%
!!
"
%
"
"&
'
"
"
()*
"
+, -
&
.
/01234
%"
"
"
%
%
"
"
"%
"
%
"
&
%
!
%
%
5
6
"
%
"
!
!*
"
&
7
%
8
#
"
!
!
9 1%
!
/01234
"
2
%
!
%"
/
"
%
:
;
"
%
%
#
%
!" #
%
9 0
#
%
""
-
<
<9
%&&
)9
%&&
1=
#
% 7
"
-
>
(9'
%&&
>9'
%&&
-
-
+
-
%
%
<3
-
"&
/
"
#
%?
"
!" #$
/
%
&
%!
&
@
&
A
1=
#
%
3
'
(
>
)
4
3)
%"
>
%"
3
-
-
+&
1!
" %#
B
>
8
!
-
"C& ,
"
7
-
-
+
,2,
&
2
"
"
*
"
"
B'C
"
%
'3&()&34>(
5
&
')<&
,
!
%
*
&
!
%
9
&
! "# $% %
&'('
)*!
&
"
+
+
,&&-
,
"
,+.
' %
/
,&,
/
/+
+
"&
0
/
/' !
+
,&
/1/
,
&+
&2 $&%#3$4*5
/,/
,
%
,
/
0
6*
7 8$
,
,
&&&
,
,0,/
&,,
,
,8
,
9:
,
&
"
4&!
'8;
,&
,
+
+
* ,
//
/
+
,,
9 1*
,
/
&-
,/,'8 %
/
,/
,
+
+
2 3
;
;,,"< <*='' $*;
!
,"> ?2@
*>2@
''
"
"
.
*"
<
"
/,' !,+
''!
,+
/
,
/
/
*/'&'A
'
:
*+
@?>=5=
,>,
,
/
"
"
.
'$&
,
/
/
(>
9
&
"
/,)' ,
!
"
"
.
4 *
'4
,
,
-
,, ,
(@
)
?=*5>?'@=<' +
/
&
-
'
&
/
2
' ",
% "% @
'
?='5>?'@=< 'B
'
/
!
"
!
#$%$ &
"$
'
"
(
)* +,"
-
). +/& +,"(
$
0
01
.
#"
(
(
2
"
"
"
-
&
(
3 4
2301
53601
7
36
Appendix D.8
Earned Media Coverage
!"
#$
%
!
&
"
!
'
(
&
)
(
!((
&
(
!!(
(
#$
!"
#
#
$
%
#
"
&'()
*
+
,##
#
*
- (-
.
&-/
0-/
1-2
3
##
#
!
$
$
4
$4!
##
#
$
5
+
$
$
%5
65
!
4 &7
$4
!"
//!8/
# /
!/
9 3!8/
8
!
:
$
!
4
$
$
4
%
!;
$
!"/
/
$
%
!
4
!$
!5;
!"
$
4
1(.10.<
=
(7
;
8
!
=
##
#
!
$ $
%8
4
!
>?
! *
;
!"
4 $
@
$4
!
%?
!
?
!
;
!"
/
!
$
$
$
$
$4
!
$4
!$
;
$
4
!"
?
!
$
##
#
?
4
!
$
!
!$
8/
/
$
4
$
$
%
8
4
#5
4
:
!
!$
$
!
!"
+
#
#
!
!
%5
4$
$
+ $
!"
!"#$!%$&#$ '"($)
()*+
,-./01-2.31-45.26057231260520893:84/;5<56/=>?4.>4513@A6>BC/.D:=65:5B43B1 ?E845: FB->B@5:5B48G<5.H3<5I5>.8 JKLMKNOLPQKPRQSKLTPLTMSUVPTVWXUVXRRYRMUZ[QOWWK\O]KMPLT^PMSQOZZXLPMY_K]MLU]RMOULSKLQU KQQURRP\PWPMYKL`]UWPK\PWPMYOaM]KLR_O]MKMPOLbcR_K]MOaMSUV]PTSMU]VWXURU]dPQU_WKLLPLTPLPMPKMPdU[MSUQPMY PLdPMURQOZZXLPMYPL_XMKMM^O_X\WPQ^O]eRSO_RPLNK]QSb fS]OXTSV]PTSMU]VWXU[VPTVWXUVXRKPZRMO`UdUWO_KRM]KMUTPQ_WKLaO]PZ_WUZULMPLTRYRMUZULSKLQUZULMR OdU]MSULUgMaPdUYUK]R[QOLRP`U]PLTaKQMO]RRXQSKRMSUPZ_KQMOahijklmnoOLM]KdUW_KMMU]LR[QSKLTURPLMSU ]UTPOLKL`O_U]KMPLTULdP]OLZULM[KL`MSUOLTOPLTM]KLRPMPOLMOKpU]OmUZPRRPOLaWUUMb hOZZXLPMYZUZ\U]RQKL_]OdP`UaUU`\KQeKMM^O^O]eRSO_R[OLUdP]MXKWOLqU`LUR`KY[NK]QSrsrmt_bZbu[ KL`MSUOMSU]PLm_U]ROLOLfSX]R`KY[NK]QSvswxyzmvxyz_bZbuKMMSUJKLMKNOLPQKNKPL{P\]K]Yb fOKMMUL`K^O]eRSO_[]UTPRM]KMPOLPRKdKPWK\WUKM\]PTSMU]\WXU\\\bQOZbfSORUXLK\WUMOKMMUL`QKLQOLM]P\XMU dPKKLOLWPLURX]dUYKMRX]mdUYbMY_UaO]ZbQOZ|\]PTSMU]\WXUbcQQURRP\WUM]KLR_O]MKMPOLO_MPOLR[PLQWX`PLT R_UQPaPQVPTVWXUVXR]OXMURKL`_K]ePLT`UMKPWR[K]U_]OdP`U`aO]QOZZXLPMYZUZ\U]RKMMUL`PLTMSUPLm _U]ROL^O]eRSO_KMMSUJKLMKNOLPQKNKPL{P\]K]Y
!
"
#
!
!
$%
&
%
""
$$
""
&
'
""
$(
""
&"
&
&
"
)
*
#
+
,
-
*
&
"
!
$'
.(
/
-&"
0
!
"
1!&
!
*
.2
)
3 * "
4
5
#
6
"
1
& 0
-
.7
3"
#!
8
!&
!
"
3
&
!
!"
8
!
!
! !
!!!""
!"
#$
%#&'#$(&)*#
*+,-./.
01'23,45-%64$56,3,7,89,6,69:,9:+:7 ;5<,69;,4235886,4=46745>=6? 337745-74 -@64
6?+,+467=544,56,6%64$56,36?;74A57#69+7. *5886,4887,6B,4?4572-?3<56:,9:+:77B,3,8=5B864744;5=+,3;5<725=7,6$327=45-423,4C7 :,924:+7B,3=+66,69,6,4,4,B. '2592:,924:+ :,9:+:7;,++74+,725?8=-5,8=+864,697748626386475B426>4-,B7 4<,69,645 3567,?4,5642-5++5;,69-3457" )8=3475-*(D)EF !563644B+=44676?7B,3356?,4,567 *2697,6429,566?5=4,696B,56864 :,9:+:7C75695,69467,4,5645G5F8,77,56-+4 H)42766+ 77,63:,9:+:7+74356?34?=+66,69--545-42,773+ 6?5,?7C6?72B72,-4??74,3++?,6
42,7=,5?
I7,?#6JK=4
?,3455-42%64$56,3E=48645-'67=544,56.HL63593646?-4,?7454<=4,6 42,7=53777;7<4544+,9657748;,42=574F=6?8,34B+2B,5 =585494356634,B,4;,42,+46?=+66? 9,56+467=544,56=5J347 6263-,74F+748,+356634,567
6?,8=5B7-@636?4B+7=?7.I *5886,4887,6B,4?45=5B,?,6=444;5=+,3;5<725=7" MN
L?67?
$32O OFP=.8. Q
RS
N
'27?
$32T U"V FT"V =.8. %64$56,3$,6A,W$+4,==57X558 O %64$56,3:+B?. '5446?;5<725=
9,744,92+.358.'2576+45446?;5<725=36+75=5B,?,6=4B,656+,67B47F B.4=-58.358Y,924+.
Z
R
[
:,9:+:7X547
V
U
T
P
!
P
X=,?T
6?X=,?
7B42%64$56,3$,6A,.)-5874?,B =<,69,7B,++,6 42+,99/6456T42%44 J7465425-%64$56,3:5+B?0. \
]
'2%64$56,3$,6A,,7#E#F3377,+.E,7,+,46?467+4,56335885?4,56@747725+?8?4+7442?7=,5 4284,693++,69/V 0 UPF
!TU
>4.
VPO.#++;,44684,+7B,++,6+464-5847=56@74. 585,6-584,5654:,924:+ =+7B,7,4",924+.358 $?,*56434
!
"
#
$$
$
!
"
#
$
# %
&
'
!
"
!
"#
$
#
%"#&'"
(
)
*
+
+
,
,+,
-.
+/.
+,
0 1
0
+
+)
+,
+
) +
+
,
23
3
+
$3
2+
+3
4 ((
(
,
+,
2
)
+,
*
1
1
"
3
4
4
3 ((
,
+
((
(3
)
56789:;:8<=>?78
Appendix D.9
Public Workshop Attendee
Report
Appendix D.10
Public Workshops Comment
Logs
Appendix D.11
In-Person Public Workshop
Sign-in Sheets
Appendix D.12
In-Person Public Workshop
Display Boards
Appendix E
Appendix E.1
Public Hearings Presentations
Agenda
Project Overview
Key Takeaways from Public Outreach
Guiding Principles
Frequency and Span Improvements
Individual Route Proposals
Next Steps
Public Comments
Agenda
Resumen del proyecto
Conclusiones clave de la divulgación pública
Principios rectores
Mejoras de frecuencia y amplitud
Propuestas de rutas individuales
Próximo pasos
Comentarios públicos
Appendix E.2
Public Hearings Eblast
Notifications
!
" #$
$
%
&
%
'
()*+,-. /01()*+,2342325
6
7 8
% 9
:;
<
=6
$ <
>?#& #& @#
A
$
:B&';'C
!
"
#
#
!
$
%
&
&
&
''(""
#)
*
+
+
,
&,
&
-
&!
./01234/526768/29 :;<=>?@A>B@;CDE?<;FG HIJKLMNOPQRSTUVOWXWY VZXX[\]^ZXX[\ _``a\JJbScd
e9f61295g959
hFiAE<jkFA>B@;CDE?<;FG lMbIRLMNOPQRSTWXOWXWY UXZXXP\]UWZXX[\ mSRdScSMPnJcIJ[MRo HpJTaMHJRRNqISTLScd e9f61295g959 rMsRtScbJRQRJbMuSvcJcJKQMw`TLSKQ`cSsTJxyzN`IRJ{ISRJMcNTMcdIMdJ`R MuuJKKSsSTSbNMuu`aa`LMbS`cz`RbpJKJQIsTSupJMRScdKOQTJMKJu`cbMubIKMb TJMKb|Wp`IRKQRS`Rb`bpJQIsTSupJMRScdLMbJx }=?~kFFEC=E mSKSb`IRJsKSbJMbsRSdpbJRsTIJsssxu`az`Ra`RJScz`RaMbS`c`cqRSdpbJRqTIJx yzN`IpMnJMcN{IJKbS`cKOQTJMKJu`cbMubIK MbsRSdpbJRsTIJKMcbMa`cSuMxd`nx
!
" #$
$
%
&
%
'
()*+,-. /01()*+,2342325
6
78
% 9
:;
<
=6
$ <
>?#& #& @#
A
$
:B&';'C
!
"
#
#
!
$
%
&
&
&
''(""
#)
*
+
+
,
&,
&
-
&!
./01234/526768/29 :;<=>?@A>B@;CDE?<;FG HIJKLMNOPQRSTUVOWXWY VZXX[\]^ZXX[\ _``a\JJbScd
e9f61295g959
hFiAE<jkFA>B@;CDE?<;FG lMbIRLMNOPQRSTWXOWXWY UXZXXP\]UWZXX[\ mSRdScSMPnJcIJ[MRo HpJTaMHJRRNqISTLScd e9f61295g959 rMsRtScbJRQRJbMuSvcJcJKQMw`TLSKQ`cSsTJxyzN`IRJ{ISRJMcNTMcdIMdJ`R MuuJKKSsSTSbNMuu`aa`LMbS`cz`RbpJKJQIsTSupJMRScdKOQTJMKJu`cbMubIKMb TJMKb|Wp`IRKQRS`Rb`bpJQIsTSupJMRScdLMbJx }=?~kFFEC=E mSKSb`IRJsKSbJMbsRSdpbJRsTIJsssxu`az`Ra`RJScz`RaMbS`c`cqRSdpbJRqTIJx yzN`IpMnJMcN{IJKbS`cKOQTJMKJu`cbMubIK MbsRSdpbJRsTIJKMcbMa`cSuMxd`nx
!" #
$
%
&
'
(
!!
!'" #
') *+
+!
,
'#
-
!'
, %.&
/01234 567/01289:898;
!
'
'
'
< !
'
'=>
,'!?
@A
B
'
C<
'
'
+'B
! # DE*- *-'F*
G ' !
'
+
@H-.A.I
''
' +
@H-.A.I-'#.I-.A.I
' !'
,-
'B '!
''!
' " #
!
.A.I
> '
!"
"
#
!#
$
%&%
'()*+,-(.+/0/1(+2 3456789:7;94<=>854?@ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOHPQPR OSQQTUVWSQQTU XYYZUCC[L\]
^2_/*+2.`2.2
a?b:>5cd?:7;94<=>854?@ eF[BKEFGHIJKLMPQHPQPR NQSQQIUVNPSQQTU fLK]L\LFIgC\BCTFKh AiCMZFACKKGjBLMEL\] ^2_/*+2.`2.2 kFlKmL\[CKJKC[FnLo\C\CDJFpYMELDJY\LlMCqrsGYBKCtBLKCF\GMF\]BF]CYK FnnCDDLlLML[GFnnYZZYEF[LY\sYK[iCDCJBlMLniCFKL\]DHJMCFDCnY\[Fn[BDF[ MCFD[uPiYBKDJKLYK[Y[iCJBlMLniCFKL\]EF[Cq v8w>d75x75y>z{ |F\}[F[[C\EFJBlMLniCFKL\]~CED[LMMMYgCGYBKsCCElFnh|MLnh[iClB[[Y\ lCMY[Y[FhCYBKDBKgCGq x68zd??><6> fLDL[YBKClDL[CF[lKL]i[CKlMBClllqnYZsYKZYKCL\sYKZF[LY\Y\jKL]i[CKjMBCq rsGYBiFgCF\GtBCD[LY\DHJMCFDCnY\[Fn[BD F[lKL]i[CKlMBC DF\[FZY\LnFq]Ygq
(2..2)
!" #$%&'()
**
++
+ , -
./01 ++
+ 2+++3
/0
4
5 6
, 6 **
7 +++
0
*
7
8
9:!
;'(< '('%,-
*
*
8
,-
=
*
7
>
?@
, A8
, 6
*
0
BC5
. 5
D5
,
E
,,
+++*
*
*
6
?FG@GH
0GHG@GH,+
7+++
/0..
*IG@GH,
*
++
+ ?JJ@K// 0.6L@H@?6=6
-
-
M
M
!"# $ %&'()*&+,-.)/012,1213 42522-674152286 9/):/;/&-<=;(=8&)> ?@=0A&?=))+B(/0*/;: C&D)E/;'=).)='&F/G;=;=H.&IJ0*/H.J;/D0=KLM+J()=N(/)=&;+0&;:(&:=J) &FF=HH/D/0/'+&FFJAAJ*&'/J;MJ)'@=H=.(D0/F@=&)/;:H,.0=&H=FJ;'&F'(H&' 0=&H'O1@J()H.)/J)'J'@=.(D0/F@=&)/;:*&'=K P#Q
R
STU
V&;W'&''=;*&.(D0/F@=&)/;:XY=Z*H'/000J<=+J()M==*D&F>[V0/F>'@=D(''J; D=0J\'J'&>=J()H()<=+K R]#T^ !]_ 9/H/'J()\=DH/'=&'D)/:@'=)D0(=DDDKFJAMJ)AJ)=/;MJ)A&'/J;J;B)/:@'=)B0(=K LM+J(@&<=&;+N(=H'/J;H,.0=&H=FJ;'&F'(H &'D)/:@'=)D0(=`H&;'&AJ;/F&K:J<K abcdefbghbgb
ijkblmgnmgobp
!!
"#$%&
'()*+,--./(.0 1232456789:3249;4:72<=497:>69:::?@5AB57A5792CB57A;425C5CD72<=497D>69? EBF56=;G9;CFH693425C3IJ>9;39@5C4;@463 ;4:72<=497:>69K3;C4;A5C2@;?<5G? LMMMM4=N4?IN;C4;O5C2@;PQRSMSL P;>>63TUVLSWMXLYXMMMZP5C4;@463G2;N;C4;O5C2@;VLLZ1232463T:2<:>69:63?@5A [#\]^_`a_`b]$
Appendix E.3
Public Hearings Social Media
Notifications
Appendix E.4
Public Hearings Flyers and Take
Ones Notification
Appendix E.5
Public Hearings SMS
Notifications
Appendix E.6
Public Hearings Legal
Advertisements
PROOF OF PUBLICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Notice of Public Hearings
For Big Blue Bus
Proposed Service Adjustments
I am a citizen of the United States and a
resident of the County Aforesaid; I am over the
age of 18 years, and not a party to or
interested in the above entitled matter.
I am the principal clerk to the printer of the
Observer Newspaper, a newspaper of general
circulation, printed and published once each
week in the City of Santa Monica, County of
Los Angeles. Said newspaper has been
adjudged a legal newspaper of general
circulation by the Los Angeles Superior Court,
State of California. Case no. SS 009444.
The notice, of which the annexed is a true
printed copy (set in type not smaller than
nonpareil), has been published in each regular
and entire issue of said newspaper and not in
any supplement thereof on the following dates,
to wit:, April 1-7, 2024.
I certify (or declare) under penalty of
perjury that the foregoing is true and
correct, at Santa Monica, California, on
the 3rd day of April, 2024.
Sabine Ganezer
Sabine Ganezer
(this space for filing stamp)
Please see attached page
P.O. Box 1380
Santa Monica, CA 90406
Proof Of Publication
(2015.5 C.C.P.)
Proof of Publication of
Notice of confirmation of print publishing in
Santa Monica Daily Press
I am a citizen of the United States, over the age of
eighteen years, and not a party to or interested in the above-entitled matter. I am the representative of the printer and the publisher of the Santa Monica Daily Press, a daily newspaper printed and published in the English language in the County of Los Angeles and adjudged a newspaper of general circulation as defined by the laws of the State of California by the Superior Court of the County of Los
Angeles, the State of California, under the date of March 17, 2004, Case No.BS087128. That the notice, of which
the annexed is a printed copy, has been published in each regular and entire issue of the said newspaper and not in any supplement thereof on the following dates, to-wit:
Notice # Public Hearing Proposed Service
adjustment
Number of Insert(s)___1 _____
On 4/2/24 in Santa Monica, California.
I certify (or declare) Under penalty of perjury that
the foregoing is true and correct.
Cynthia Moreno
Signed By
General Manager
Appendix E.7
Public Hearings Transcripts
2 1 City of Santa Monica
2 Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis
3 Tuesday, April 16, 2024
4 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
5 6
7 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Good evening, everyone who is
8 joining us for tonight's public hearing. We're going to 9 give everyone a couple of minutes to get into the
10 hearing. So we're going to start at right about 6:02 11 p.m. So thank you, again, for joining us.
12 We do have quite a few people registered. So we
13 just want to make sure that as many of those people can 14 get in that need to and then we will go ahead and get 15 started with our presentation. We will have an
16 opportunity following our presentation for everyone here 17 that would like to, to make a public comment. So we will 18 definitely reserve some time at the end of our
19 presentation for that. So we'll give everyone a couple 20 of minutes and then we will get started.
21 In the meantime, if you do have any questions,
22 you can use the Zoom Q&A function. So we would prefer if 23 everyone could use that. We won't be calling on any
24 hands or any speakers until the end of the presentation. 25 All right. And it is now 6:02. So I still see
3 1 that there are some folks that are coming in. So we will 2 get started and I'm sure more and more people will start 3 to come in as the meeting goes along, but first, I did 4 want to make an announcement.
5 So we do have Spanish interpretation available
6 tonight. If you need that interpretation, you can select 7 that in your Zoom controls. So there's a little globe 8 icon and you would just need to select the language. So 9 Spanish is the option for tonight, if you need that. So 10 feel free to join that room. We have our interpreter, 11 Diana, who will be interpreting this meeting.
12 I'm now going to turn it over to my colleague,
13 Jessica Mendoza, who is going to make that announcement 14 in Spanish. Jessica.
15 MS. JESSICA MENDOZA: (Announcement made in
16 Spanish.)
17 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you so
18 much, Jessica. And real quick, I just wanted to
19 introduce myself. So my name is Josh Francis. I am the 20 outreach manager working with Big Blue Bus on this
21 comprehensive operational analysis.
22 So I am a consultant and we have a consultant
23 team here tonight as well and we'll get into some
24 introductions in a second. But I did want to turn it 25 over to the City of Santa Monica's Director of
4 1 Transportation, Anuj Gupta, to say a few opening remarks. 2 Anuj.
3 MR. ANUJ GUPTA: Thank you so much, Josh. And
4 good evening. Thank you, all, for being here tonight. 5 We are very excited to be moving forward with our
6 Brighter Blue project, our comprehensive operational
7 analysis, which is a fancy way of saying our plan for the 8 future of our Big Blue Bus transit service so that we can 9 make sure that we're best serving all of you, our riders, 10 and all of the many, many millions of people who ride Big 11 Blue Bus every year.
12 So this is a really key stage of this project.
13 We've been working on it for more than a year already. 14 We are now in the home stretch. Some of you who are with 15 us tonight may have been at our workshops last month 16 where we were doing a little bit more open-ended
17 brainstorming and soliciting feedback, questions, input, 18 priorities from all of you and our stakeholders who care 19 about Big Blue Bus, and now we're building on that.
20 What you will hear tonight are recommendations.
21 They are draft recommendations. We want to hear your 22 feedback, hear your input so that we can make final
23 recommendations to our city council, which we will be 24 doing this summer in Santa Monica, so that we can then 25 get this plan adopted and start implementing it, which is 5 1 the really exciting part, so that we can improve, expand, 2 change our service to best meet the needs of all of you 3 and all the many people who depend on the Big Blue Bus. 4 So we are very excited that you are here
5 tonight. You're here because you care about the Big Blue 6 Bus; you care about transit in Santa Monica and Los
7 Angeles. So we thank you for your time, for your
8 attention, and for your input.
9 I want to thank our team, led by Alfredo
10 Torales, our Transit Planning and Performance Manager at 11 Santa Monica's DOT and Big Blue Bus, Robert McCall, our 12 Community Engagement & Customer Experience Manager, Josh 13 and Melissa from our consultant teams and their entire 14 teams. It's going to be a fun evening, a lot of
15 information will be coming at you, but a lot of detail 16 about the routes, the service, and about the future, 17 which is a very exciting thing to talk about and get your 18 feedback on. So thank you, all, again and I look forward 19 to hearing what you have to share.
20 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Great. Thank you so much,
21 Anuj. And without further ado, I will go ahead and start 22 our presentation. So tonight we're going to be going 23 over a quick project overview of what this Brighter Blue 24 COA process is going to look like. We're also going to 25 look at some of the key takeaways from the public
6 1 outreach that we've conducted. So we've met with a lot 2 of you already, I'm sure, including at our last series of 3 public workshops.
4 Next, I'm going to hand it over to Melissa once
5 I'm done going through the public outreach takeaways, and 6 she's going to take us through guiding principles and 7 she's also going to walk us through the frequency and 8 span improvements that are being recommended as well as 9 some of the individual route proposals and next steps. 10 Following that, I'll take it back and we'll go into the 11 public comment process.
12 So if those of you who are joining us now, and
13 if you've seen any of our materials, you will know that 14 our draft recommendations are available on our
15 brighterbluebbb.com website. So if you haven't had a 16 chance to review those, you can do that during this
17 meeting, after this meeting, completely up to you, but we 18 would encourage you look through those in more detail and 19 we welcome any feedback that you have on those.
20 So, what is the Brighter Blue COA? So most of
21 you on this meeting may be familiar, but the Brighter 22 Blue COA is a five-year plan for improving transit
23 service in Santa Monica and the greater West L.A. area. 24 One of our goals of the COA is to restore service back to 25 the prepandemic levels, address changes in travel
7 1 behavior that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic as well 2 as redesign service to better match the current trip
3 patterns.
4 The opportunities that are presented with this
5 Brighter Blue COA will also include the opening of the D 6 Line to Westwood and how Big Blue Bus will interact with 7 that line opening as well as the opening of the LAX Metro 8 Transit Center. That will be part of the K Line and the 9 Automated People Mover construction that's going on right 10 now as well as Santa Monica's transition to a zero
11 emission bus fleet.
12 So for those of you who have joined us
13 previously, you may seen this, We Are Here star at
14 different places, but now we are finally nearing the end, 15 so we are excited and we will follow up with everyone on 16 what those next steps will be at the end of the
17 presentation, but yes, we are very excited tonight to 18 present some of these draft service recommendations that 19 we'll get into in just a second.
20 Community outreach. So community outreach on
21 this COA process started with an onboard community
22 survey, where we did survey riders on the Big Blue Bus 23 system and we received over a thousand responses. And so 24 that's where we started the outreach with the riders. 25 And then we moved on to focus group meetings with various 8 1 groups throughout the community, including operators, 2 students and faculty at UCLA and Santa Monica College, 3 several of the Santa Monica neighborhood associations, 4 transit advocacy groups as well as others too. We met 5 with the city's internal mobility team.
6 So we did get a lot of critical feedback from
7 those groups and a lot of you on here tonight, I do
8 recognize some names, so thank you for joining us and we 9 certainly used a lot of the feedback that we received in 10 those focus groups and you'll see some of that reflected 11 in the plans that Melissa will go over.
12 We also conducted an online survey between
13 January and March and we collected over 400 responses. 14 So that survey is now closed, but we do have a new survey 15 that is specifically geared toward the draft
16 recommendations. So we encourage everyone to take that 17 following this meeting. And then we did culminate all of 18 that with our March 2024 public workshops. We had one in 19 person at the Santa Monica main library as well as
20 another virtual workshop.
21 So some of the key takeaways from our community
22 outreach, more frequency is the top requested service 23 improvement. So for those of you who joined us for
24 either the virtual or in person, you were able to kind of 25 vote in the interactive polling that we had throughout 9 1 the presentation and so it was very clear that more 2 frequency was the top priority, as far as the community 3 is concerned.
4 On-time performance and frequency had the
5 largest gap between level of importance and level of
6 satisfaction. And the current service hours limit the 7 usefulness of the bus for early morning, late evening, 8 and weekend travel.
9 So those were some of the findings that we took
10 away from community outreach. And, again, these draft 11 recommendations, we very much relied on that community 12 input that we had from all of those -- all of those
13 methods that we described in the previous slide. And so 14 we just want to make sure that everyone is clear that 15 this was a true community effort and this was not just a 16 staff determination, but we really did rely on that
17 public input.
18 So next I am going to turn it over to Melissa
19 Sather, who is going to go through the guiding
20 principles. Melissa.
21 MS. MELISSA SATHER: All right. Thanks, Josh.
22 And thank you, everyone, for joining this evening. I 23 know our time is limited and it's precious, and so we 24 really appreciate you coming out and helping inform this 25 study.
10 1 So guiding principles, these are really the
2 driving design ideas behind the draft network. So if you 3 want to go to the next slide. When we are coming up with 4 these ideas, these are really -- this is really what we 5 wanted to embody. We wanted to have a plan that's going 6 to grow Big Blue Bus service back to prepandemic, both 7 service levels, but also ridership, understanding that 8 ridership has decreased in the years since the pandemic, 9 wanting to restore back to where we were about five years 10 ago.
11 Building network of high frequency routes that
12 allow for lifestyle transit use, which looks like 10 to 13 15 minutes on the core routes. You know, we know that in 14 order for transit to be useful, in order for people to 15 take it for all types of trips, not just the commute to 16 work or the commute to school, service has to be
17 frequent, available, convenient. So really focusing on 18 increasing frequency on those key corridors. We want to 19 expand service hours to allow for all-day travel.
20 Right now one of the key things we heard from
21 the outreach is that service is great for certain types 22 of trips but tends to drop off too early in the evenings 23 for it to be useful for people trying to, you know, come 24 home from late evening classes or go out to socialize in 25 the evenings. So wanting to extend service hours so
11 1 we're at least covering 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 2 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends to allow for that more
3 travel flexibility.
4 We want to create more opportunities by
5 introducing weekend service on weekday-only routes. We 6 know that people are traveling throughout the week, not 7 just on weekdays, and we want to make sure that the
8 services available throughout the week is consistent so 9 people have flexibility in when they're traveling.
10 And then finally in sharing convenient, frequent,
11 and direct access to current and future Metrorail
12 stations, L.A. Metro has a number of construction
13 projects that are coming online in the next couple of 14 years. We want to make sure that Big Blue Bus service is 15 designed to integrate with those changes so it's directly 16 serving those stations to provide for more seamless
17 travel. Looking at changes on the C Line, the D Line, 18 which is the extension of the subway to Westwood and the 19 VA hospital, the E Line and the opening of the K Line all 20 the way to LAX as well as the future LAX People Mover. 21 So what we wanted to do is kind of show you high
22 level and some of the big proposed changes and then what 23 we're going to do is go through each individual route and 24 talk about what's changing on those routes specifically, 25 or is proposed to change. So these are a couple maps 12 1 showing proposed frequency improvements. The one on the 2 left shows you the current network where we're at in
3 April of 2024. And then on the right, this is the
4 proposed network frequency for weekday routes. The
5 different colors are showing the average frequency
6 throughout the day.
7 So those dark brown lines, the darker thicker
8 brown lines, that's 10-minute or better service
9 throughout the day. This is increased -- proposed
10 increase from currently two routes or corridors to five 11 routes. So the proposed plan is increasing the number of 12 current riders who are using routes with 10-minute
13 service, today that's 40 percent of riders, the proposed 14 increase to 70 percent, adding Westwood Boulevard,
15 Wilshire Boulevard, and Lincoln Boulevard.
16 Next slide, please. And then on weekends,
17 looking at growing that 15-minute network, which is in 18 this sort of salmon color, and adding 15-minute service 19 again on Westwood Boulevard and it's mostly the only new 20 one for 15-minute service, but also adding new weekend 21 service to routes that operate weekdays only today,
22 including Route 5, Route 15, Route 16, and Route 41. 23 So next slide. So this graphic is showing the
24 proposed increases in service span, which are the hours 25 that the bus routes are operating. So anything in gray, 13 1 that is current -- current service span and anything that 2 is in blue would be new span. So you can see when routes 3 are proposed to start earlier in the morning and then end 4 later in the evenings.
5 So one of the proposals is to restore service to
6 Route 44, which you see at the bottom, so that's all new 7 service. And then the other routes, it's mostly adding 8 an hour in the morning and then really in the evenings, 9 extending service by one to really three hours depending 10 on the route. And then similarly for weekends, I
11 mentioned proposing adding new weekend service on Routes 12 5, 15, 16, and 41 and then also extending service span 13 both earlier in the morning and later into the evenings. 14 One of the things I wanted to mention before we
15 dive into the individual routes, Josh mentioned the
16 website brighterbluebbb.com, and that -- if you go on 17 there, there is a PDF that has detailed descriptions of 18 each route with the maps, the proposed frequency, the 19 proposed hours of service for weekdays, Saturdays, and 20 Sundays for each and every route.
21 And so you -- you know, feel free to take a look
22 at those if you need more -- you want more detail as we 23 go through these. So you don't have to remember all of 24 it from the presentation, it's all available online for 25 you to take a look at.
14 1 Okay. So in terms of rider impacts, so with all
2 these proposals for improved service, there are some
3 segments that I propose to lose service coverage, so
4 there are some riders who are outside a quarter-mile
5 walkshed of proposed bus stop locations. So the map -- 6 the blue lines are the proposed routes, the blue -- kind 7 of the light blue squares or shapes are the walksheds 8 around the bus stops. So a quarter-mile, how far you can 9 walk from that bus stop. And then the red dots, those 10 are going to be current bus stop locations that are -- 11 would no longer be served with the proposed network. And 12 then the size of the dot is showing the number -- the 13 volume of riders at that stop. So the larger the dot, 14 the more riders there are today.
15 So, of the riders who would be affected by the
16 changes, the majority, three-quarters, are currently 17 boarding at the Metro Aviation/LAX Station, which is down 18 on the southern part of the map. And then when the LAX/ 19 Metro Transit Center opens, those riders should shift to 20 that new station. That will be the new major connecting 21 point with the C Line and the K Line and then the other 22 LA Metro routes that meet at the LAX City Bus Center. 23 And then there's the remaining 153 riders representing .6 24 percent of systemwide boardings that may have a farther 25 walk to a stop or have to take another route and will see 15 1 an impact to their service.
2 So, let's dive into the individual route
3 proposals. So, for each one of these, we're going to
4 have a bullet point talking about the alignment changes 5 and then followed by a bullet point talking about the 6 frequency changes. On the right is a map showing the
7 proposed alignment change. So blue is going to be
8 showing -- that's the current alignment, it currently 9 operates there today.
10 Red is showing where it would operate -- or it
11 operates today and is no longer going to be served. And 12 then green is showing any significant new coverage.
13 You'll see this when we get to Route 9. That will be a 14 significant segment that's not served today that would be 15 served under the proposed plan.
16 So for Route 1 -- sorry. The Route 1, the
17 proposed change is to alter the routing through and
18 around UCLA going through campus serving destinations 19 along Charles E. Young Drive East and terminating at the 20 parking structure rather than ending at Hilgard Terminal. 21 Service will be similar to what it is today at 10 minutes 22 on the weekdays and 15 minutes on the weekends.
23 Route 2. Route 2 is following a similar change,
24 looking at taking a number of the routes that serve UCLA 25 and taking them through campus. So ending this route 16 1 also at Parking Structure 2 rather than at Hilgard 2 Terminal and eliminating the deviation to Ashton Avenue 3 trying to get this route to operate a bit more quickly 4 through the Westwood area, looking at significant
5 increases in service from 20 minutes on weekdays today to 6 10 minutes under the plan.
7 Since this route will directly serve the D Line
8 Station at the Westwood VA Hospital, looking at service 9 increases to help feed into the subway. And that's
10 currently anticipated for 2027. And so some of these 11 changes, you know, really would phase in with the opening 12 of the subway.
13 Route 3 on Lincoln Boulevard. So, when it's
14 open, this route would change to have its new terminus at 15 the LAX/Metro Transit Center, also allow riders to
16 connect to the new People Mover. By shortening the
17 route, we're saving distance, mileage, running time that 18 allows us to operate the service more frequently, so 19 increasing service from roughly every 13 minutes to every 20 10 minutes on weekdays. One of the other proposed
21 changes is to consolidate the Rapid 3 trips into more 22 service on Route 3. And we'll talk on the next slide 23 about why we're proposing that change.
24 So, when looking at the Rapids and the Locals,
25 and this applies to both Route 3 and also Route 7, we 17 1 just looked at -- took a random trip from the current 2 schedule and looked at just kind of the overall travel 3 time of when you leave your house to start the trip and 4 end up at your destination. On a Local route, the stops 5 are closer together so you have a shorter walk to the 6 stop, on average about 5 minutes for a quarter-mile stop 7 spacing. The average wait time for the bus is 12
8 minutes, and then the travel time on the bus between two 9 specific points is 29 minutes.
10 Whereas on the Rapid, the stops are farther
11 apart, so you have to walk farther, to get to the stop. 12 It's not more frequent. It's operating every 15 minutes, 13 so you have a slightly longer walk, a slightly longer 14 wait. So even though the actual travel time on the Rapid 15 is shorter because it stops less often, when you factor 16 in the time for the additional walking and the additional 17 wait time for the bus, it can actually take longer to 18 make a trip on the Rapids than just hopping on the next 19 bus that shows up.
20 And so by combining the two together, but
21 operating them more frequently, we're cutting down on 22 that wait time and it shows that the overall end-to-end 23 trip time is shorter. This is why we kind of looked at 24 consolidating the Locals and the Rapids both on the
25 Lincoln Boulevard corridor and on Pico.
18 1 Route 5 on Olympic Boulevard. So a proposal to
2 shorten the alignment to operate between the Metro 17th 3 Street and SMC E Line Station and then the Westfield
4 Century City Mall, which is also the site of the future D 5 Line/Century City Constellation Station. And so
6 operating on the shorter segment of the route, by
7 operating on a shorter part, taking those savings from 8 not operating the full current alignment, investing it 9 into significant service improvements, so increasing from 10 current 60-minute to 30-minute service on weekdays and 11 then adding new 30-minute service on weekends.
12 Route 7 on Pico Boulevard. So looking at
13 eliminating the deviation on Beverlywood due to high 14 impact on passenger boardings. Basically, what happens 15 is the bus is relatively full at the point where it gets 16 to this deviation and picks up relatively few people, so 17 it's impacting all of those riders who are already on the 18 bus creating a negative experience for those riders. 19 Looking at consolidating Rapid 7 hours into Route 7 so 20 that we can operate the route every seven and a half 21 minutes during peak periods and every 10 minutes during 22 off-peak periods and 15 minutes on weekends.
23 So right now Route 7 operates about every 14
24 minutes and the Rapid every 20 minutes, and now,
25 combining those together, you get one service every seven 19 1 and a half to 10 minutes throughout the day.
2 Express 7 was operating before the pandemic.
3 That's been discontinued. So the proposal is to
4 discontinue it permanently.
5 Route 8 on Ocean Park Boulevard. So one of the
6 changes is to create a new terminus where our 12 ends at 7 Gateway Plaza on the UCLA campus. So you have both Route 8 8 and Route 12, Rapid 12, the two corridors serving
9 Westwood Boulevard ending at the same place. So riders 10 traveling between UCLA and the Expo or E Line Station can 11 just hop on any available bus, will have the same
12 alignment and similar stop patterns. Also looking at 13 taking Main Street into downtown instead of Ocean Avenue 14 for a faster trip that's less congested with, you know, 15 people trying to get to the beach. Proposed service is 16 every 20 minutes on weekdays and weekends, which is a 17 slight improvement from where it's at today, about every 18 25.
19 Route 9. So this is the first example where
20 we're showing new coverage in green. So the route is 21 proposed to be extended from its current terminus all the 22 way to Pacific Coast Highway pending the completion of a 23 new bus turnaround at PCH and Sunset Boulevard. This 24 just provides additional coverage, network connections, 25 and then operating the service every 15 minutes in peak 20 1 and 30 minutes on weekdays, similar to what it does 2 today, and 30 minutes on weekends, which is an
3 improvement over current 40-minute service.
4 Rapid 10. So there are no current proposed
5 changes for the Rapid 10 serving downtown LA. What's
6 going to happen is we'll recommend reviewing this route 7 after the D Line opens to Westwood and seeing how the 8 route is performing and what its network role is once the 9 subway is opened, anticipated in 2027.
10 Rapid 12. There are no proposed alignment
11 changes for this route. Looking at increasing the
12 frequency to every seven and a half minutes during peak 13 periods in the peak direction and 10 minutes off-peak on 14 weekdays and then improving service on weekends to every 15 15 minutes.
16 Route 14. Couple of changes here. The northern
17 end, wanting to take the route to directly serve the 18 future D Line Station. So instead of continuing along 19 Bundy Drive, the route would turn right onto Wilshire 20 Boulevard to go up to that station. And then at the
21 southern end, instead of traveling on I-405 to the K Line 22 Station, it would extend further east to the Culver City 23 Transit Center, which is also the site of the Westfield 24 Culver City Mall. You get a lot of access to shopping 25 destinations and also a number of LA Metro routes and 21 1 Culver City bus routes at that transit center. The 2 proposal is to increase the service frequency to every 15 3 minutes on weekdays and 20 minutes on weekends.
4 Route 15. So looking at deviating the route to
5 serve the future D Line Station, this is one case where, 6 you know, adding a major deviation into the middle of the 7 route, you want to look at how many people are on board 8 versus how many people you're going to pick up, but
9 because the D Line is expected to be such a major
10 generator of ridership, felt it was really important to 11 ensure that all the routes in the area make the
12 connections to the D Line. Also, with that anticipated 13 increase in demand, wanting to increase service to every 14 30 minutes on weekdays and also add weekend service at 15 every 30 minutes.
16 Route 16. A similar change to what we're
17 showing on Route 14, extending the route farther along 18 Wilshire Boulevard to serve that D Line Station as well 19 as adding new 30-minute service on weekends.
20 Route 17. Very minor changes, just some slight
21 changes in how it's navigating through Westwood, and then 22 increasing service to every 15 minutes on weekdays and 30 23 minutes on weekends.
24 Route 18. A couple changes on the northern end,
25 similar pattern. Instead of going to Gateway Plaza,
22 1 having this route serve Parking Structure 2 on the east 2 side of campus, serving more destinations, and then on 3 the southern portion of the route, extending a bit
4 farther south to Via Marina and Old Harbor Lane just for 5 more coverage into Marina del Rey. 20-minute weekday
6 service and 30-minute weekend service.
7 Okay. Route 41, this is the one that's -- might
8 be one of the more challenging to follow. So a couple of 9 changes. We heard a lot of comments, one was about
10 wanting to extend the route to Ocean Park where it
11 currently ends at Pico. So one of the things we did is 12 extend the route farther east to hit Ocean Park
13 Boulevard -- or Avenue. And then looking -- instead of 14 doing the current figure eight that it does today,
15 looking at operating bi-directionally on 17th Street. 16 So it really kind of -- it's still going to
17 operate clockwise following the arrows and then it's 18 almost like a rectangle, going around in a rectangle, but 19 then collapsing in the middle. So instead of doing a 20 figure eight where it crisscrosses, it's kind of
21 continuing in a straighter line as it goes around.
22 We would remove the deviation to the Performing
23 Arts Center, which is going to go onto a -- proposed to 24 go onto another route. And then this would operate,
25 instead of every 20 minutes, every 15 minutes on weekdays 23 1 with new weekend service to increase not just circulation 2 and opportunities for the campus but also residents
3 trying to travel, you know, shorter distances, get across 4 town on weekends.
5 So looking at Route 42, the recommendation is
6 not to restore Route 42, continue to operate this route 7 in one direction, but using those resources for the
8 frequency increases and the new weekend service.
9 Route 43. Propose shortening the route to no
10 longer serve SMC campus for the 17th Street/SMC Station, 11 rather, starting at the 26th Street and Bergamot E Line 12 Station, but then extending the route on San Vicente 13 Boulevard down to 7th Street to provide some more
14 coverage, and then increasing the frequency from every 30 15 minutes to every 20 minutes, still weekdays only during 16 peak periods.
17 And finally, Route 44, restoring the SMC
18 Connector, it's sort of in coordination with the campus, 19 following a similar alignment, but instead of ending at 20 the E Line Station at 17th Street, extending to serve the 21 Performing Arts Center that was previously served by 22 Route 41 and operating this every 20 minutes on weekdays. 23 Okay. So that was a very, very quick overview
24 on the routes. And so quickly just what's next, so we do 25 have an in-person public hearing where we'll have the 24 1 same presentation, similar materials, but a chance to 2 talk with us in person. That's this Saturday, April
3 20th, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Virginia Avenue Park. 4 The address is on the slide. And so we will have that 5 public hearing to get similar comments.
6 So I encourage you, you know, if you want to
7 come back out or tell your friends and families,
8 coworkers to come join us there to learn more about the 9 plan. And then we will be collecting public comments on 10 these proposals through May 24th. So just over five to 11 six weeks.
12 After that, we will be refining the draft
13 service plan, incorporating all the comments that we've 14 received. So, again, everything we've shared today,
15 these are just initial draft proposals that will be
16 refined after we receive comments, with a goal of
17 presenting the final service plan to city council on July 18 9th.
19 So we really encourage you to go to the website,
20 brighterbluebbb.com to take our survey to let us know 21 kind of -- you know, write down all of your thoughts 22 about what you like or don't like about the service
23 changes. It gets pretty specific, but there's a lot of 24 places for free response as well. So I think at this 25 point, I'll turn it back to Josh to open the public
25 1 comments.
2 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Thanks, Melissa. And real
3 quick before we move on, we did get a few clarifying
4 questions from the public on Route 9. So if we could, I 5 just wanted to go back there so everyone has a good idea 6 of exactly what those changes are. So let me go back to 7 that and then we'll get to the public comment portion of 8 the meeting.
9 So, Melissa, I will just let you know some of
10 the comments that we had received. They wanted to know 11 how this new route will connect to PCH, and then they 12 also would like clarification on the types of buses that 13 will be running on the Route 9, and if Big Blue Bus is 14 considering running 60-foot buses on Route 9.
15 MS. MELISSA SATHER: So in terms of how it will
16 connect with PCH, so it takes Sunset Boulevard all the 17 way to PCH and there's a proposal to open a new bus
18 terminal where the Gladstone's Restaurant is, so the bus 19 would cross PCH and there should be a -- really a bus 20 turnaround right there where PCH and Sunset meet. And 21 then I will defer to Alfredo on the buses for Route 9. 22 MR. ALFREDO TORALES: Yeah, we use 40-foot buses
23 on Route 9, so we will continue to do that. On a few of 24 our special school trippers, we do use 60-footers, but, 25 again, for the local regular 9 service, it will remain as 26 1 40-footers.
2 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you,
3 Alfredo and Melissa. And there was one final clarifying 4 question that came regarding Route 3, so I'll go back to 5 that real quick just so we make sure that we're giving 6 everyone the information they need before we make the 7 public comment. But the comments -- or the question,
8 rather, was, if in this plan, Route 3, if it's being
9 shortened to future LAX Transit Center, will the route 10 serve Arbor Vitae instead of 96th Street?
11 MS. MELISSA SATHER: I have to pull up a map.
12 So I think it's West Chester Parkway and then it does go 13 down to 96th Street, and the reason that it does that is 14 to --
15 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Sorry. Sorry. 98th Street.
16 MS. MELISSA SATHER: 98th. 98th. Because 96 is
17 eastbound only, right, and so with those changes, we want 18 to make sure that we're not serving a street that's just 19 eastbound only because we have to take a different street 20 in the other direction.
21 But we're not going on Arbor Vitae the whole
22 way, even though that's more direct, because we want to 23 serve the LAX People Mover at kind of the first available 24 point so that we're not forcing everyone to ride to the 25 end if they're trying to get on the People Mover to go 27 1 the other direction back to LAX. So that's why it kind 2 of is proposed to do that jog down.
3 There also is an at-grade rail crossing of the K
4 line on Arbor Vitae which is known to kind of cause
5 reliability issues and can slow the bus down and so we 6 want to avoid that as well.
7 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you,
8 Melissa. Thank you, Alfredo. So with that, I will go
9 ahead and get back into the public comment portion of 10 this hearing. So just before we get into this, I wanted 11 to provide some of the ground rules. So each speaker 12 will have three minutes to provide their public comment. 13 If you could -- before making your public
14 comment, if you could please provide your first and last 15 name and city of residence before making your comment, 16 that will help our court reporter who is transcribing all 17 of these comments for inclusion in our final analysis. 18 Comments and questions will be transcribed by our court 19 reporter and logged for that inclusion. So, again, if 20 you can just provide that first and last name.
21 The team will be, not be responding to questions
22 at this time during the public comment period, so the 23 public comment period is really for those of you to voice 24 any reactions or comments on the proposed changes that we 25 just went through. If you do have any general questions, 28 1 though, please feel free to use the Zoom chat and we will 2 do our best to answer in that chat function so you can 3 get an answer to the question, but we do want to get
4 through as many comments as we can.
5 So if do you have questions, that is totally
6 okay and we will include those on our final analysis
7 report, but we will not be responding to the questions 8 once we get into the public comment section of this
9 hearing.
10 If you would like to make comments in writing,
11 we have a few other methods as well. Comments, of
12 course, can be submitted through the Zoom chat function 13 as well as emailed to [email protected]. And 14 that will go straight to our team and those comments will 15 also be recorded in our final analysis. You can also 16 send those in writing via the mail to Big Blue Bus at the 17 address listed here, and just provide the attention line 18 to Alfredo Torales and our team will get those comments 19 as well.
20 We also, as Melissa mentioned, have the
21 in-person public hearing on April 20th on Saturday
22 morning at 10 a.m. So if you are able, you can stop by 23 that meeting and make your comments to us there at that 24 in-person public hearing.
25 We will also have opportunities to provide
29 1 public comments in writing at the meeting as well. The 2 comment period deadline is going to be Friday, May 24th 3 at 5 p.m. So we would appreciate any and all comments, 4 questions, feedback to be submitted by then to give our 5 team time to incorporate that feedback before we take the 6 service plan to Santa Monica City Council in July.
7 So I am going to leave this screen up. There
8 will also be a timer. So once I call on your name, I
9 will go based on the hands that I see. We're going to 10 start first with Ally Hamilton. I will go ahead and
11 unmute you and just, again, please say your name and -- 12 your first name, last name, city of residence and then 13 just, you know, we want everyone to just be mindful of 14 the time limit so that we have enough time to hear from 15 everyone.
16 With that being said, I'm going to start with
17 Ally Hamilton. So, Ally, you have three minutes. If you 18 would please unmute yourself and you can go ahead and 19 make your comment.
20 MS. ALLY HAMILTON: Okay. Ally Hamilton. I
21 live in Santa Monica, California, and I'm a daily rider. 22 I wanted to say thank you for having the 16 run seven 23 days a week. It's desperately needed. And that's what I 24 wanted to say.
25 Oh, I know what else I wanted to say. And they
30 1 give us a lot of crappy buses that break down all the 2 time, and we'd appreciate if we could have functioning 3 buses that run. And those are my two comments, but thank 4 you for extending the 16 out to seven days a week.
5 That's my most important comment, and that's all I have 6 to say.
7 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you so
8 much, Ally. We'll go ahead and move to our next hand
9 raise, Jacob Wasserman. Jacob, feel free to unmute
10 yourself and make your comment.
11 MR. JACOB WASSERMAN: Can you hear me?
12 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Yes, we can.
13 MR. JACOB WASSERMAN: Thanks so much. My name
14 is Jacob Wasserman, J-a-c-o-b, W-a-s-s-e-r-m-a-n. I live 15 in Santa Monica on 11th near Washington. I just want to 16 say this is a great plan overall. I'm very impressed 17 with the changes. You know, having Melissa on your team 18 will do that. She's great.
19 I particularly want to thank you for increasing
20 the service on the 2. Moving from 20 to 10-minute
21 headways is going to change my life. I will no longer 22 have to look at the transit app. I can just go and know 23 that there will be a bus within 10 minutes. And the
24 service increases on the 18 are going to be great as 25 well.
31 1 My biggest issue I see with it is the alignments
2 around UCLA and in particular, the abandonment of the 3 terminal at Hilgard. My understanding is that there were 4 complaints from neighbors who probably have moved in
5 there well after the establishment of this terminal and 6 university years and years ago that the buses were noisy, 7 I guess. I don't know if they're any more noisy than the 8 street by it.
9 But the Hilgard Terminal serves a lot of
10 important purposes. It has seating and shade, which the 11 other stops on campus have far less of. I'm a little 12 worried about the operators because it has operator
13 restrooms. I mean, I'm sure you're planning for that, 14 but I think that the Hilgard Terminal is a really good 15 place for the operators to lay over.
16 And it's a huge problem for legibility because
17 you see a sign that says the bus is going to UCLA and 18 then you get dropped off on a totally different part of 19 campus if you're unfamiliar with the system, depending on 20 whether it goes up Charles Young to Parking Structure 2 21 or to Ackerman, and that's a problem now and it's still 22 going to be a problem under this new plan.
23 For example, I live between the 18 and the 2,
24 and if I wanted to go back, ideally, I would just go to 25 one stop on campus, that's where I work, and take
32 1 whichever one comes first, but the way it's structured in 2 this draft plan, I would have to pick whether I'm going 3 to Charles Young to catch the 2 or down to Bruin Plaza to 4 catch the 18, and so I couldn't really just show up at a 5 bus stop and take the next bus.
6 I imagine you could do something like a loop
7 where all the routes that serve UCLA serve Bruin Plaza, 8 Charles Young, and the Hilgard Terminal. You know,
9 one-way loops are not always the easiest, but I think, 10 one, the splitting of the destinations at UCLA is a huge 11 legibility problem, and then, two, abandoning the Hilgard 12 Terminal, I mean, what's even going to happen to it, I 13 think is a bad idea. But those are -- it's pale in
14 comparison to the service increases. I'm so happy you're 15 proposing them. Thanks for doing that.
16 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you, Jacob,
17 for your comments. I'm going to move on to the next hand 18 raise.
19 And before I do that, I just wanted to mention
20 briefly that any questions that you may have, clarifying 21 questions that you may want answers to, we will do our 22 best, once we get through public comments, to respond to 23 those. So please, if you can just be patient with us, we 24 will do our best to get to those once we get through the 25 public comment portion.
33 1 With that, I am going to go ahead and unmute
2 Rayne. Rayne, if you would go ahead and provide your
3 first and last name and your city of residence.
4 MS. RAYNE LABORDE RUIZ: Hi. My name is Rayne
5 Laborde Ruiz. I live here in Santa Monica, currently in 6 downtown Santa Monica and moving to Pico neighborhood. 7 First of all, just to echo Jacob and everyone else so 8 far, thank you so much for these tremendous changes to 9 the system. And I also really want to applaud Big Blue 10 Bus on the improvements just over the last few years 11 post-Covid and during Covid was rough for all of us as 12 riders and I'm sure as operators as well, and it's gotten 13 so much better and this is going to make it even better. 14 The one thing that I am concerned about as
15 someone moving to Pico is it does feel like the routes on 16 the south side kind of got the short end of the stick in 17 terms of some of the connectivity changes. And in
18 particular the Route 43 change, I think, is really
19 impactful for all kinds of people along that corridor. 20 One, the SMC students, I think it's very
21 important to have multiple different routes serving SMC 22 because we know how many of those students are commuting 23 in, the vast majority, right, as well as those of us who 24 work within the city and just need various ways to get 25 around.
34 1 I personally have an office that's really close
2 to those job centers at Colorado Center and the Water 3 Gardens. And this takes away my connectivity, which was 4 one of the many reasons I chose to move to the
5 neighborhood for.
6 It's -- also, I'm just a little confused
7 regarding those changes given the priorities to connect 8 to those Expo stops, but then this is actually taking 9 away from a 17th Street connection and a Bergamot Station 10 connection. So just really encourage the team to take a 11 second look at that route, who is using it, who might be 12 using it in regards to the other stations.
13 I also just wanted to suggest, if such a thing
14 is possible, to look at the number of transfers that 15 might change for given points of getting around town with 16 the new system. I've just noticed a couple of my trips 17 where it used to be no transfers or one transfer where 18 under some of these changes, that would have to be
19 something like three and that's the point that typically 20 I'm going to go get a Lyft or something instead, which 21 none of us want to do, right, we want to ride the bus. 22 That's why we're here at this meeting. So thank you so 23 much, really appreciate all that you're doing and hope 24 you'll consider these changes too.
25 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you so much
35 1 for your comments. I will go ahead and move on to the 2 next hand that I see raised, and this is actually a phone 3 number. So if you could, please provide your first name, 4 last name, and city of residence. And the number is the 5 (323) 465-8511 number.
6 MR. ALEXANDER FREEMAN: Yes. Hi. Good
7 afternoon. Do you hear me?
8 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: We can. If you can please
9 provide your first and last name and your city of
10 residence.
11 MR. ALEXANDER FREEMAN: Yes. I'm Alexander
12 Freeman, city of residence is Hollywood, California. And 13 I've used the Big Blue Bus for decades to commute to my 14 clients and jobs in Santa Monica, including the Route No. 15 14, and I went to work near the Santa Monica Airport. 16 So, first of all, yeah, for the most part, the proposed 17 changes look great, specifically the improved frequency. 18 However, a couple things that I completely disagree with 19 is removal of Rapid bus No. 3 and Rapid bus No. 7.
20 I struggled both on the Local and on the Rapid
21 buses along both of those routes, being the Olympic
22 Boulevard and the Pico Boulevard, and the Local line 23 takes forever. I mean, Line 7 is a very long route
24 between downtown Santa Monica and downtown LA.
25 So taking on the local route a very long time,
36 1 this would include people commuting to work or kids going 2 to Santa Monica College or for other purposes. And
3 likewise, Rapid No. 3 which goes to LAX Airport, again, 4 the Rapid -- Rapid trip is much faster than the Local. 5 If you cut out the Rapid line, this is going to
6 be very uncompetitive, you know, public transportation 7 versus driving. So if you guys really want to entice for 8 people to leave their cars at home, you have to continue 9 to propose Rapid -- you know, to offer Rapid service
10 versus Local because if you're an average commuter, just, 11 you know, just average person, you have the choice
12 between a flow of service with many stops or a fast
13 service with fewer stops, I'm sure most of us would
14 undoubtedly choose the latter being the Rapid service 15 with fewer stops. So, again, on those two highly popular 16 routes, No. 3 and No. 7, I strongly urge the city of 17 Santa Monica to preserve the Rapid service.
18 Those are my two biggest concerns. Otherwise,
19 again, I do fully salute the improvement of service, the 20 improvement of frequency from 15 minutes to 12 minutes. 21 The weekend service also should be improved. 15-minute 22 service is also uncompetitive. Again, if you want to 23 attract people, you know, citizens to use public transit, 24 15 minutes is too much of a loss, you know, of time. So 25 maybe weekend service could be improved on some lines to 37 1 10 to 12 minutes. So, those are my suggestions. And 2 once again, thank you for your work. Thank you for those 3 proposals on services.
4 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you very
5 much. And we'll go ahead and move on to the next
6 speaker. If you could, again, say your first name, last 7 name, city of residence. And next speaker I have is
8 Raag. You can go ahead and unmute yourself and make your 9 public comment.
10 MR. RAAG AGRAWAL: Hi. My name is Raag Agrawal.
11 I live in the City of Los Angeles. And I would like to 12 make a public comment, you know, just congratulate the 13 team on this plan. I'm highly supportive of the
14 increases in frequency for Route 1 and 2. I'm a daily 15 rider, I don't have a car, and so I really rely on the 16 bus service every day to get to work at UCLA. And so the 17 increase in the frequency are going to be tremendously 18 helpful.
19 But I would like to comment that the elimination
20 on the Hilgard terminus on many different routes is
21 extremely harmful to students. I understand there's been 22 a long history of Big Blue Bus acceding to local demands 23 from, you know, certain neighbors about noise since 2005 24 and decreasing frequency on that terminus.
25 I'd like to push back on that strongly, in the
38 1 strongest terms because that route -- that terminus is 2 much more comfortable to use, the way finding is far
3 better for students, it's closer to the professional
4 schools like the School of Law. Ending at Charles Young 5 or ending near parking lot 2, I think, is a subpar option 6 and acceding to, you know, local nimbies is not something 7 I would support.
8 You know, in my conversations with students, I'm
9 one of the elected representatives for our neighborhood 10 council in North Westwood, that's not something that 11 would be good for students. Additionally, I would like 12 to congratulate the team on, and support the team on the 13 weekend service and for a lot of different routes. I 14 think it's really important to have weekend service if we 15 want to have more people be car free. And that's my
16 public comment. Thank you so much.
17 MR. ALFREDO TORALES: Josh, you're muted.
18 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Oh, my apologies. Thank you
19 very much for the comment. Next speaker I see is Noe. 20 Go ahead and say your first and last name, city of
21 residence, and make your public comment.
22 MR. NOE SOLANO: Hello, everyone. Good evening.
23 My name is Noe Solano. I'm here on behalf of the Playa 24 Vista Transportation Management Association. I see that 25 there's a removal of service completely for Playa Vista 39 1 on Route 14. I totally understand and likely the
2 decision was made because of low ridership, especially 3 given that that's hard to compete with the high rates of 4 telecommuting, but I do want to say that I'd hate for the 5 hybrid work schedule to dictate the demand for transit. 6 It's still something that developments see as an amenity, 7 especially given that Big Blue Bus and Culver City Bus 8 have been part of the Black history there in creating, 9 like, a sustainable development.
10 And with that said, there's a huge work
11 employment hub, there's a big residential community. So, 12 all I have to say is that the ridership is not completely 13 gone. I feel like that's a very big market that can be 14 the biggest potential in ridership, especially like I 15 said, I mentioned work with the transportation management 16 association called Compass, and there's several community 17 efforts that we support the development in carrying out, 18 and over the past couple of years, it's been challenging, 19 but we are seeing a large return to work rate.
20 We're more than happy to work with your team
21 off-line on providing data that we collect on an annual 22 basis, especially as we see our average vehicle ridership 23 going down.
24 The pandemic, it was an AVR of 13.18. I know
25 this is jargon that maybe a lot of folks on the call may 40 1 not understand, but that's since gone down to 3.4 AVR. 2 And what that means is essentially that the people are 3 coming back, people are driving by themselves to the
4 development at a more higher rate than in the past.
5 So with that trend going down, it's safe to say
6 that in coming years, we're going to see a big increase 7 in on-site employment -- I'm sorry -- on-site occupancy 8 for this development and I find that -- I'm here totally 9 supporting that the frequency, that the reliability
10 improves.
11 I just don't think that the answer for removing
12 the stops through Campus Center Drive and also Bluff 13 Creek is the answer, and especially for those service 14 workers that I know are still utilizing this type of 15 service, I'm sure that it would make it a very big burden 16 for individuals that do work at the restaurants or even 17 though the employees -- most of the employees are not 18 going to the worksite, but a lot of the building
19 maintenance staff is, so there's still a big equity piece 20 to this.
21 So removing those stops entirely I find is not
22 the answer and hopefully we can work together off-line in 23 the upcoming months to ensure that those stops remain in 24 Playa Vista. Thank you so much. And applause to you. 25 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Thank you so much for that
41 1 comment. We will go ahead and move to the next hand 2 raised. Josh, go ahead and state your name and your city 3 of residence and make your public comment.
4 MR. JOSH XU: Hi, can you hear me?
5 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Yes.
6 MR. JOSH XU: Hi. I am Josh Xu, spelled X-u,
7 currently of Los Angeles, living in the on-campus
8 residence halls at UCLA. So my family lives in Santa
9 Monica, and I really appreciate being able to take the 10 Big Blue Bus to and from home every weekend. Right now 11 Gayley Strathmore on Route 18 is by far the most
12 convenient stop for UCLA students living in on-campus 13 housing. We call it The Hill.
14 It's a convenient five- to eight-minute walk
15 from The Hill. So I would request that Big Blue Bus
16 please reconsider eliminating the stop. It would be a 17 major inconvenience for students living on The Hill who 18 would now have to make a 15 or more minute walk to the 19 medical plaza to catch a Santa Monica bus.
20 I understand that on-campus residents are not
21 Big Blue Bus's primary ridership demographic, but please 22 consider that The Hill houses thousands of residents, the 23 vast majority of whom do not own cars. So this makes for 24 a huge potential ridership tool that the Blue Bus is not 25 currently taking advantage of and by eliminating the 42 1 Gayley Strathmore stop would make it even harder and less 2 appealing for residents to use it.
3 So I believe it would be in the best interest
4 for Big Blue Bus to increase accessibility for on-campus 5 residents, not to decrease it. Overall, though, very
6 much support the changes, especially increased frequency. 7 It would, yeah, make things much more convenient for
8 riders. Thank you for hosting this.
9 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you so much
10 for that comment, Josh, and we will go ahead and move on 11 to the next speaker that I see, Dominic. So, Dominic, I 12 will go ahead and unmute you and if you could provide 13 your name and city of residence and go ahead and make 14 your public comment.
15 MR. DOMINIC SARABIA: Can you hear me?
16 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Yes, we can.
17 MR. DOMINIC SARABIA: My name is Dominic
18 Sarabia. I leave in Hesperia, California. So my mode of 19 transportation is Metrolink San Bernardino Line,
20 Metrolink Riverside Line, or the Foothill Transit from 21 Montclair Transit Center. And one of the things I always 22 think about Rapid 10 was to extend that into Commerce and 23 Montebello because after NextGen discontinued service on 24 720 to Commerce Shopping Center, the only way you can get 25 to Santa Monica or even the western area of LA would be 43 1 to transfer to downtown, which there's a lot of, like, 2 traffic jams and downtown LA is not really that safe for 3 pedestrians.
4 So I was thinking if Rapid 10 was to extend
5 service to Commerce Shopping Center like what 720 did and 6 have, like, an express service from the
7 Montebello/Commerce/Riverside Line Metrolink to downtown 8 Santa Monica and to actually extend the service for
9 all-day service on Rapid 10 between Commerce Shopping 10 Center and downtown Santa Monica and have weekend service 11 for the bus to compensate for the former Metro Rapid 720. 12 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right, Dominic. Thank
13 you. Is that the end of your comment?
14 MR. DOMINIC SARABIA: Yeah.
15 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you so
16 much. Go ahead and move on to the next speaker that I 17 see, Lawrence. I will go ahead and unmute you. If you 18 can provide your name and city of residence and go ahead 19 and make your public comment.
20 MR. LAWRENCE TRAN: Hi. My name is Lawrence
21 Tran and I currently live in Westwood in Los Angeles. 22 And I want to -- first of all, I want to echo some of the 23 other speakers, like, yes, I appreciate the service
24 changes and frequencies. I think that will be a huge 25 difference, especially for UCLA students. Like
44 1 first-time transit riders and I think increasing service, 2 but make it -- making it better service, that would make 3 people future transit riders.
4 I also wanted to echo a comment from Josh a few
5 speakers ago about the 18's service change. And, again, 6 I'm also, like, concerned about the change making it more 7 inaccessible for UCLA students, especially living in
8 on-campus housing. The Strathmore/Gayley intersection is 9 the most, like, used by UCLA students. There's about
10 13,000 that live on The Hill and many more that live in 11 that part of blocks bounded by Gayley Avenue and Veteran 12 Avenue.
13 Just anecdotally, on the weekend whenever
14 students want to go to Santa Monica, like, a lot of us 15 use the Strathmore/Gayley stop to go to campus. Sorry. 16 Not to go to campus. To go to Santa Monica. And if
17 this -- the proposed route basically means all of us have 18 to go to the hospital to actually get to Santa Monica. 19 It's just like a huge inconvenience.
20 So, yeah, I believe -- I don't see exactly the
21 reasoning for the service change. The UCLA stops that it 22 goes to are served by other, like, Big Blue Bus stops. 23 On the other hand, this service change is going to leave 24 a huge -- like, I'm feeling like an inconvenient gap in 25 service. So, again, just to summarize, I believe the 45 1 18's bus service change around UCLA shouldn't be changed 2 and the traffic for Gayley stop should be kept. Thank 3 you.
4 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you very
5 much, Lawrence. We'll go ahead and move on to the next 6 speaker, Margarita. So, Margarita, I'm going to go ahead 7 and unmute you there. And if you can just say your name 8 and city of residence and then make your public comment. 9 MS. MARGARITA TORRES: (Comment given in
10 Spanish.)
11 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you very
12 much, Margarita. And just for everyone to note too, at 13 the conclusion of this hearing, we will be providing any 14 translations and we will be posting recordings of this 15 meeting on our website. So if you did want to know what 16 the last speaker said, we will make that available as 17 well as in the transcript available after this public 18 hearing.
19 The next speaker I see is Chris. So, Chris, I'm
20 going to go ahead and unmute you, and if you want to go 21 ahead and say your name and city of residence and then 22 provide your public comment.
23 MR. CHRIS MICHEL: Hey, yeah, can you hear me?
24 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: We can.
25 MR. CHRIS MICHEL: Hi. I'm Chris Michel,
46 1 M-i-c-h-e-l. I live in Los Angeles in the Del Rey
2 neighborhood. And I am really happy with most of the
3 changes. I really appreciate the frequency increases. I 4 also really appreciate the new weekend service on the 16. 5 That will be really great for me to use. And I'm really 6 sad to see the R3 go, but as of the most recent service, 7 I was never able to take it, so it doesn't affect me that 8 much, but I do miss it a lot and I wish that it would run 9 at, like, peak rush hour hours again.
10 Also, I've been on, like, the last 3 bus many
11 times. I wish there would be later service. Lots of
12 people have late night flights. I'm usually coming home 13 from Culver on the 33 and just barely able to catch the 3 14 home. So it would be great if we could extend the hours. 15 And also, there's a lot of issues with bunching,
16 especially during rush hour, on the 3. I know that's 17 hard for you guys to control, but it would be really 18 great if there were bus lanes all the way from the
19 airport to Santa Monica. But that's it. Thank you.
20 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you so
21 much, Chris. We'll go ahead and move on to our next
22 speaker that I see, Jerry. So, Jerry, I'm going to go 23 ahead and allow you to unmute. And if you could just 24 provide your first and last name, city of residence, and 25 make your public comment. And, Jerry, if you're trying 47 1 to talk, you do need to unmute yourself, so there should 2 be a little mic button, if you can hit that and -- there 3 you go.
4 MR. JERRY RUBIN: Well, thank you very, very
5 much. My name is Jerry Rubin. I live in the Ocean Park 6 area of Santa Monica right near 4th and Pico. And I'm an 7 80-year-old senior citizen that's been riding the Blue 8 Bus for decades. I never had a car in my life. And I
9 like your slogan, Go Green, Ride Blue. And I appreciate 10 the process that you've been doing. I'm not going to 11 comment on all the details of the changes, but
12 overwhelmingly, for the most part, it's very positive and 13 I really appreciate it.
14 I am grateful for the transit app. I think the
15 buses are very reliable and on time. I think they're 16 safe and they're clean. I still see the problem with 17 everyone trying to put a dollar bill in the machines, but 18 I remember when you went back to that, but I sure wish 19 people would get the tap card. And it's a real bargain, 20 especially for seniors.
21 I would like to say that I've taken the 3 bus
22 extensively and the 7, and I really don't see that much 23 difference in reality taking the Local. I think it's a 24 good thing to consolidate it and get more so it's
25 stopping at the Local. The big problem is when there's 48 1 traffic on Lincoln Boulevard and that's messing up 2 everything. So I do hope that they open up those lanes. 3 One thing I'd like to say is I do hope at some
4 point you could get possibly the goods service you have 5 at your 4th and Broadway store to get like T-shirts and 6 different things that will promote the Blue Bus, and I 7 think that will be a good thing eventually. So I just 8 want to particularly thank you over the years for all the 9 good process that you have and listening to the people 10 and I urge people to get out of their cars a little bit 11 more often and get on the bus.
12 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Jerry, thank you
13 very much for that comment. So I will go ahead and move 14 on to the next speaker, Owen. So, Owen, I'm going to go 15 ahead and allow you to unmute and if you can say your 16 first and last name and city of residence and then make 17 your public comment.
18 MR. OWEN GORMAN: Hi. Thank you so much. My
19 name is Owen Gorman and I am a resident of Los Angeles. 20 I live in the West Adams neighborhood. And for my job, I 21 am a transportation coordinator at a large tech company 22 in Playa Vista. And I happen to commute there different 23 ways myself. I usually ride my bike, but a lot of times 24 I'll take a combo of the Expo Line and Line 14. So I'm 25 really familiar with Line 14 and I promote it to a lot of 49 1 our employees when they're looking for ways to commute to 2 the office.
3 I just wanted to express my concern with changes
4 to the stops in the Playa Vista neighborhood because this 5 is the one bus that is most popular among our employees 6 and the bus that I take to work as well, and it looks 7 like it's trying to be rerouted to Jefferson to beeline 8 it to the mall area in -- right over there in Playa
9 Vista. So in conclusion, I just hope you would
10 reconsider cutting out that leg of the line. There's 11 tons of offices and employers and people living in Playa 12 Vista. We need every bit of public transit there to get 13 people out of their cars, and I know the employees at my 14 office would really appreciate it. So thank you very 15 much.
16 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you very
17 much, Owen. We appreciate that comment. And I will go 18 ahead and move on to our next speaker. And just wanted 19 to -- just wanted to note, too, that Michael Harris is 20 the last speaker with their hand raised. So, again, we 21 will be here until 8 p.m., so if you do have another 22 comment that you would like to make, please feel free to 23 raise your hand and get back into the queue.
24 So with that, Michael, I will go ahead and let
25 you unmute yourself. If you can say your first name, 50 1 last name, city of residence and then you can provide 2 your public comment.
3 MR. MICHAEL HARRIS: All right. Can you guys
4 hear me?
5 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: We can.
6 MR. MICHAEL HARRIS: Okay. Perfect. So my name
7 is Michael Harris, and I have been a longtime resident in 8 Santa Monica in the Wilshire Montana neighborhood. So I 9 was kind of multitasking so I kind of, I guess, missed 10 out a slide or two, but the one thing I really appreciate 11 is the return of the route -- I think it's the Route 41, 12 if I'm not mistaken. It is.
13 I like the way how you restored the Route 41 to
14 come back into Ocean Park again as well as the return of 15 the Route 44 service from SM -- at 17th Street SMC
16 Station to the Bundy -- excuse me, the main campus and to 17 the Bundy Campus via Ocean Park Boulevard as well as the 18 extension of the Route 43 to 7th and San Vicente, and I 19 think that's really a good convenience for it.
20 So my only concern is that there is no changes
21 to the -- to the Line 10 service, and I still wish that 22 if you could add more service to the Rapid 10 from Union 23 Station to Santa Monica as well as restoring the weekend 24 service from Union Station to Santa Monica because it is 25 sort of an inconvenience, especially when it comes to 51 1 like, taking the train from Union Station to Santa Monica 2 with a transfer, especially as it gets crowded in some 3 parts of the day.
4 And then I would really wish that if you do plan
5 to improve Rapid 10 service, I would love for you to make 6 a beginning stop at the Patsaouras Bus Plaza because
7 yesterday I was coming back from a Metrolink train and it 8 dropped me off way on the back end of Union Station, so I 9 had to make a rush all the way to the front of Union
10 Station, almost nearly missing the bus, but I made it 11 there just in a minute time.
12 So I would really appreciate that you would
13 improve Rapid 10 service along with the return of the 14 weekend service, improved weekday frequency as well as 15 restoring the beginning stop at the Patsaouras Bus Plaza. 16 Thank you.
17 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you very
18 much, Michael, for your comments. And I'm going to go 19 ahead and move on to the next speaker, Bill. Bill, I'll 20 go ahead and allow you to unmute. If you could say your 21 name and city of residence and then provide your public 22 comment.
23 MR. BILL LAM: You-all can hear me, right?
24 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: We can.
25 MR. BILL LAM: Okay. Good. So my name is Bill
52 1 Lam. I live -- I'm a longtime resident in Monterey Park. 2 I've been using Big Blue Bus in the past. One of the
3 things that I don't like is I don't like canceling the 4 Rapid free 7 and Express 7 because people really use
5 those free bus lines for faster trips. So I don't
6 want -- I want you guys to keep the Rapid 3, 7, and
7 Express 7 on the map. For Route 1, extend the -- from -- 8 the route from traffic circle to Lincoln and California 9 so that people can have a better opportunity to transfer 10 with Route 18 to Marina del Rey at California and
11 Lincoln, I'm assuming.
12 For Route 5, I'm in support of restoring the
13 weekend service, as that follows on weekdays from Palms 14 to Santa Monica -- to downtown Santa Monica and on
15 weekends from Century City to 17th Street SMC Station. 16 For 7, maintain the Beverlywood area with free morning 17 westbound trips and the free afternoon eastbound trips. 18 And for 14, maintain service to Playa Vista and keep the 19 K Line connection on the north side. Continue on Bundy 20 north of Wilshire, then Montana, San Vicente, and then 21 the VA Hospital Station.
22 And last thing is maintain 41 and 42 with 41
23 going clockwise, 42 counterclockwise by just focusing on 24 20th and 14th instead of 17th Street. And last -- well, 25 actually two more, which is support 43 to extend down to 53 1 connect with Route 9, but add a midday service as well, 2 but I wish there could be a streamline travel on San
3 Vicente all-day service from downtown Santa Monica to the 4 VA Hospital at least.
5 And last one is for 44. Route 44 should focus
6 on 14th Street instead of the 17th Street because, you 7 know, I'm worried about, like, traffic congestion on 17th 8 Street if this was -- if this were to happen. So this is 9 all my comments. Thank you so much.
10 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you very
11 much, Bill. So we will go ahead and move on to our next 12 speaker. And as a reminder, this next speaker is the 13 last hand that I see raised. So if you do have any
14 additional comments, please feel free to raise your hand. 15 Roland, I'm going to go ahead and allow you to unmute, if 16 you can say your name, city of residence and then provide 17 your public comment. And, Roland, you do need to unmute 18 yourself. There you go.
19 MR. ROLAND WEST: Yes. Can you hear me? Okay.
20 That's great.
21 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: We can hear you.
22 MR. ROLAND WEST: Okay. My name is Roland West
23 and I'm from South Los Angeles. This is my first year 24 actually riding the Big Blue Bus. I never heard of it 25 before, but I connect from Los Angeles to the 3 and
54 1 basically, I would say the 3 is pretty great, you know 2 what I mean. It's not really a bad bus. It's fairly
3 clean, you know, most of the time.
4 And I just want to say, you know, for me
5 transferring from the Metro to the 3 at LAX, most of the 6 time, the drivers don't stop at the service stop, which 7 is a negative thing to me on the 3 because they see
8 people that are sitting there at the bench waiting for 9 the bus, and if you don't jump up or you're not standing 10 there, they'll pass the stop up.
11 And that is not the way that bus drivers should
12 operate. I'm an actual bus operator myself, going to 13 motorcoach operating.
14 And when I was trained to drive, you have to
15 stop at the service stop for at least a couple of seconds 16 to a minute, you know, because there's disabled people, 17 there's people that can't just jump up for the bus driver 18 or the operator, you know, when they see them coming in 19 to LAX. You know what I mean? And the buses are just 20 driving past the stop. Like, if you're not standing
21 there, they'll pass the stop right up.
22 And I'm like, that's not right because there's
23 people that could be late to work or to their doctor's 24 appointments because you did not stop at the service stop 25 to give these people an opportunity to get up off of the 55 1 bench that they're actually standing at your post stop. 2 You know, just because they're not standing
3 there, doesn't mean that you shouldn't stop at the stop 4 for at least 30 to 60 seconds, a minute, give these
5 people a moment to get up, because I've missed this bus a 6 couple of times going to work and I work in Playa Vista 7 Westchester area.
8 I'm a driver at the moment for LMU. And these
9 people pass me up and I'm like, hey, man, now I've got to 10 wait another 15 minutes for this bus and I'm going to be 11 late to work because the bus driver never stopped.
12 And they've done it, I've seen, to a couple of
13 other people that are sitting there waiting. And they're 14 like, hey, man, the bus didn't even stop. They look down 15 at the phone, and looked back up, and the driver is gone. 16 I'm like, why didn't he stop or she didn't stop, you 17 know, to give these people an opportunity, you know what 18 I mean, because I don't know if the driver trainers that 19 aren't telling these people to do this or their safety 20 managers aren't telling them that they're supposed to 21 stop at service stops. Don't just pass service stops up 22 because there's disabled people that are not going to be 23 able to just stand there waiting for the bus or jump up 24 too fast.
25 Other than that, you know, the buses, you know,
56 1 they may be a minute or two, three minutes late, that's 2 not too bad, but they should actually start stopping at 3 service stops for at least 60 seconds or so. Or look to 4 see that there's people, you know, that are sitting there 5 at the stop. It's not that they're roaming off or
6 they're far away from the stop.
7 They're actually at the stop. You have to give
8 them a moment because some people can't just get up.
9 They're not well-bodied, you know. And I think the
10 drivers have a sense of they don't really care, like, if 11 you're not there or standing, they don't, you know, think 12 that they're supposed to stop. And they're a service to 13 the community. You have to stop for these people to give 14 them an opportunity to get on the bus.
15 But other than that, you know, the bus system
16 seems pretty okay to me. I appreciate you guys letting 17 me, you know, give my comment. Hopefully, you know,
18 they'll have a better trainer, someone will, you know, 19 address that so the drivers don't think that it's okay. 20 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you so
21 much, Roland. We appreciate that comment. And just so 22 everyone knows that we are at the end of the speakers on 23 the public comment portion, so I'll give everyone a
24 minute. If you do have any additional comments, please 25 feel free -- we can -- we do have time, so we can give 57 1 anyone who would like to make any follow-up comments, 2 additional time to make those. If we don't have any,
3 then -- and I see one just came up, but then we will go 4 through and we will provide clarifying responses to some 5 of the questions that we received.
6 So first, I'm going to go ahead and allow Debra
7 to make her public comment. So, Debra, I'm going to
8 allow you to unmute. If you could provide your name,
9 city of residence and then provide your public comment 10 for us.
11 MS. DEBRA SHEPARD: Hello. My name is Debra
12 Shepard and I live in the city of Santa Monica. And the 13 comment that I would like to leave is regarding Route 7. 14 I've had an issue with drivers on Route 7 not stopping at 15 some of the stops like 4th and Pico, and then the driver 16 want to argue with me that that's -- whether or not
17 that's an actual stop.
18 And then last Friday, we had a driver who let me
19 and my daughters out in an open lane of traffic at
20 Sepulveda and Pico. So those are safety issues and I 21 think they need to be addressed. And it's also about the 22 demeanor of the drivers who are refusing to stop at the 23 stops that are actually part of Route 7. Thank you.
24 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you so
25 much, Debra, for your comments. Again, we do -- we don't 58 1 have any other speakers at the moment, so, again, if you 2 do have any follow-up comments that you would like to 3 make, you know, please feel free to raise your hand.
4 Otherwise, we will start to go through some of the
5 questions that we received. But as a reminder, as this 6 is a public hearing, we do want to make sure that we
7 incorporate any and all the public comments that we
8 receive.
9 So I did see another hand get raised, so, Jerry,
10 I'm going to go ahead and allow you to make another
11 comment for three minutes. So if you can just, again, 12 state your name, city of residence, and then provide your 13 public comment.
14 MR. JERRY RUBIN: Well, thank you. Jerry Rubin,
15 longtime Santa Monica resident. And since you're giving 16 a little bit of extra time, I'm going to say that
17 overwhelmingly what I've seen over the decades I've been 18 riding is you got some really, really great drivers and, 19 you know, I don't want to compare with other bus
20 companies, you know, but Santa Monica is really exemplary 21 and I think you should be proud of that.
22 Drivers are great, and my gosh, I don't know if
23 I'd have the patience sometimes when things are rough 24 there and they have to pay attention to what's going on 25 with the fare box or different questions or someone
59 1 running out in the street expecting them to stop after 2 they leave their stop. That's a safety issue, you can't 3 do that.
4 I do agree with the previous speaker, I don't
5 know how it would be. I think it's good, I try to stand 6 up and lift my hand up so the driver knows that I'm ready 7 to get on the bus. But for people with disabilities or 8 others, I can see it. So just a little more
9 understanding of that, and I'm sure the drivers would not 10 object to that so they could stop and -- but for the most 11 part, I got to say, I wouldn't be able to make it without 12 the Blue Bus. So I just want to thank you very, very 13 much.
14 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you, Jerry,
15 thank you again for that comment. And, again, that is 16 the last hand that I see raised. So what I will do,
17 since we do have some time, we did want to, of course, 18 address any of the questions that we did receive. So, if 19 you do have additional feedback, please feel free to 20 raise your hand, but I'm going to, at this time, pose 21 some of these questions that we have received through our 22 chat to Melissa, Alfredo, and other members of the Big 23 Blue Bus team who may be on.
24 So, one of the questions that we did receive,
25 Alfredo and Melissa, was in regards to the Rapid 12 and 60 1 there was a question revolving around the increase in 2 frequency to help relieve overcrowding. And so I think 3 they wanted more specifics on what will be done on that 4 line to help relieve that current overcrowding that may 5 exist.
6 MS. MELISSA SATHER: Yeah. I can start and
7 then, Alfredo, if you want to follow up. So on Rapid 12 8 looking at increasing service to seven and a half minutes 9 in the peak direction, so making sure that when people 10 are traveling to and from the UCLA campus, we've got that 11 robust level of service there, that should help relieve 12 overcrowding. I'm not sure if there's a plan to use the 13 new 60-footers on there. Alfredo.
14 MR. ALFREDO TORALES: No, I think right now the
15 plan is to rely on frequency, so the seven and a half 16 minutes peak direction frequency, you know, we think that 17 should be enough. Right now it's every 12 minutes. It's 18 definitely not enough, you know, especially at the
19 connection with the E Line at Westwood Rancho Park. So 20 we know, just, we need more frequency there.
21 MS. MELISSA SATHER: Yeah.
22 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you. And
23 then the next question that we received was regarding Big 24 Blue Bus Route Rapid 20 between downtown Santa Monica and 25 the current Culver City E Line Station. So I think
61 1 they're just asking on clarification on whether or not 2 anything is happening with that line as part of this
3 plan.
4 MR. ALFREDO TORALES: You know, I'm not familiar
5 with the -- a Rapid 20 between downtown Santa Monica -- 6 oh, you know what, I do remember. This -- I think we had 7 this before the Expo line, but with the Expo line, you 8 know, I think that kind of trumped any bus service
9 between downtown Culver City and downtown Santa Monica, 10 so yeah. You know, I don't expect a service like that to 11 come back.
12 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Okay. Thank you, Alfredo.
13 Another question that we did receive was related to if 14 anything is being done to reduce deadheading. The
15 comment was that the current plan describes Route 5 to 16 begin at 17th, when it could pick up riders on the way, 17 Route 10 -- on Route 10, every bus deadheads.
18 MR. ALFREDO TORALES: Yeah. You know, of course
19 we try to minimize deadhead whenever possible. You know, 20 we can't start every service from the yard, so there's 21 going to be inevitably some deadhead, but I can assure 22 you, we try to eliminate that as much as possible.
23 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you,
24 Alfredo. And then one other question that I did see too 25 is in regards to safety at the bus stops, whether or not 62 1 there are plans to add more lighting, moving stops to 2 accommodate safety. So if you can just elaborate on any 3 other safety initiatives that might be going on. I know 4 Big Blue Bus has made some changes that aren't related 5 specifically to this process, but, you know, will in
6 effect provide additional safety. So, Alfredo.
7 MR. ALFREDO TORALES: Yeah. You know, later
8 this year, we will be launching what we're calling the 9 Better Blue Bus Stop Project. So, you know, we have
10 plans in terms of safety to install security lighting 11 units at a lot of our stops. These things are solar
12 powered. They go on top of the poles. So that's one
13 feature.
14 And then, you know, we're looking based off, you
15 know, similar surveys and, you know, talking to customers 16 about sort of the other amenities people want at bus 17 stops, so, you know, we hope to roll out some more
18 seating and shade throughout our bus stops throughout our 19 whole network. So, you know, that's a project that you 20 should start seeing more and more of over the next few 21 months. So at this point, all I can say is stay tuned 22 for that.
23 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you,
24 Alfredo. And at the moment, I don't see any questions. 25 So if you do have a question that you would like
63 1 clarified, you can go ahead and put that into the Q&A 2 chat and we will answer that at this time. If you do
3 have an additional public comment to make, we are still 4 accepting those.
5 So if you do have that, please raise your hand
6 and we can give you three minutes. As a reminder, this 7 public hearing will go and we will be on until 8 p.m. So 8 we still have about 30 minutes. So please feel free if 9 anything else comes to mind, you can raise your hand or 10 provide a comment in the Zoom chat.
11 And then at this time, I did want to remind
12 everyone about our in-person public hearing on Saturday 13 at 10 a.m. So we will have coffee, so, you know, if you 14 want to join us at that public hearing, we'd love to have 15 you. It's at the Virginia Avenue Park. So please, if 16 you would like any more information on that, you can 17 visit our website at brighterbluebbb.com.
18 Additionally, I would encourage everyone who
19 attended tonight, if you haven't already, to please
20 review the draft service changes. That document, it's 21 also available on our brighterbluebbb.com website. So we 22 do have a PDF. It's available in both English and
23 Spanish, so you can review that. And then we have an 24 accompanying survey.
25 So after you review that, if you can please take
64 1 our survey, that will help Melissa and her team inform 2 the next and final draft of this service plan that will 3 go to the city council for adoption. So we would
4 appreciate any and all feedback. And, again, you do have 5 until May 24th to provide that feedback and that's also 6 when the survey will close. So just wanted to add that 7 reminder.
8 And let me see. We just got one question, it
9 looks like, so let me just see if it is a question here. 10 All right. So I'll start with this one. So, they would 11 like to confirm if Route 14 stops in Playa Vista were 12 eliminated due to low ridership, and if there are further 13 reasons and if you can share the reasons for the changes 14 to the Route 14.
15 MR. ALFREDO TORALES: Hi. Yeah, I think the
16 idea there was, as was mentioned with one of the
17 comments, just the idea that if you're on Centinela and 18 you're trying to make it to the Culver City Transit
19 Center or the, you know, West Culver City Mall, that, you 20 know, just take Jefferson as sort of a more direct
21 option. But, you know, again, we appreciate your
22 comment. It's something we can take a look at as we get 23 more comments over the next few weeks. So thank you. 24 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you,
25 Alfredo. Another comment that came in is regarding
65 1 buses, and they mentioned some of the buses that are used 2 on Route 16, 18, and the 40s routes are older and tend to 3 break down, and so they are wondering if there are any 4 plans to replace some of the older buses with new buses. 5 MR. ALFREDO TORALES: Yes. Those are our
6 smaller buses. They're, I think, 32-foot buses. We are 7 in the process of procuring 32- or 35-foot buses to
8 replace most of those older buses. So these would be
9 better electric buses. So, you know, I don't have the 10 timeline off the top of my head, but I think in the next 11 year or two.
12 MR. ROBERT MCCALL: Yeah. I'm just going to
13 add, I think we're looking at getting -- we have an order 14 for another 15, 30- to 35-foot buses that should be
15 arriving March 2025.
16 MR. ALFREDO TORALES: Thank you, Robert.
17 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. So, again, if you
18 do have any other questions or if you would like to make 19 a public comment, please feel free to raise your hand or 20 put that into the Zoom chat. We did get one more
21 question and I think we may have covered this at the 22 beginning, but if we can just provide that clarification 23 again. Alfredo, they are just asking, is there a plan 24 for electric buses in the near future?
25 MR. ALFREDO TORALES: Yes. You know, we have a
66 1 goal to go 100 percent battery electric -- to have 100 2 percent battery electric fleet by 2030. You know, it's a 3 very aggressive goal, but that's what we're aiming
4 towards. So basically at this point, every single bus 5 that we buy is battery electric. Yeah, so if that
6 answers your question.
7 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Great. Thank you, Alfredo.
8 All right. And, again, I don't see any other hands
9 raised or any questions in the Zoom chat. So if I did 10 miss any question that you may have had in the chat, 11 please feel free to put those in now. All right.
12 We just got one more question, so I'll go ahead
13 and read that. And this comment is asking for
14 clarification regarding when the increase in frequency on 15 the Route 2 will begin. So, Melissa, and -- if you could 16 just go over some of the timeline and when some of these 17 changes, if approved by the city council, when those 18 would take effect.
19 MS. MELISSA SATHER: Yeah, so this is proposed
20 to be a five-year plan. So starting, you know, with
21 implementation 2025, you know, kind of puts us through to 22 2029. The goal would be that when the D Line extension 23 opens to Westwood VA, anticipated 2027, that that's when 24 we would be making the D Line related service changes. 25 So increase in frequency on Route 2, increase -- changing 67 1 those alignments on Routes 14, 15, 16, and similar 2 changes not until the D Line is open.
3 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Great. Thank you, Melissa.
4 All right. Again, we don't have any other speakers -- 5 oh. And as I said that, we did have someone who raised 6 their hand. So, Mary Ann, I am going to go ahead and
7 allow you to unmute. If you can say your name, city of 8 residence and you can provide your comment at this time. 9 MS. MARY ANN RYAN: Okay. Mary Ann Ryan. My
10 residence is Santa Monica. And like one of the previous 11 commenters, I've never owned a car. I moved here from 12 New York City, so public transportation is it. I really 13 appreciate hearing the proposed restoring of the 41
14 service on the weekends because that's really, really 15 important for a lot of people, I think.
16 And I'm wondering for some of the proposed
17 changes that don't tie in with the D, you know, the Metro 18 D train opening, will some of the changes, particularly 19 for the 18, the 41, the No. 2, will they be phased in 20 earlier than the opening of the new stop?
21 MS. MELISSA SATHER: Yeah. So -- and, Alfredo
22 and I, we haven't talked specifics on, you know, the 23 phases and the amount of service increases for each
24 phase, but the idea is that, yeah, changes that aren't 25 dependent on other factors like the opening of the D Line 68 1 or the opening of new service to LAX, some of those 2 changes can happen earlier because they're independent of 3 other things that are happening.
4 At this time, I can't say which route changes
5 would happen first. And but there -- it would be kind of 6 a phased approach over the next couple of years,
7 starting, you know, I think, with service changes in
8 2025. That sound about right, Alfredo?
9 MR. ALFREDO TORALES: Yeah. Definitely, you
10 know, after this entire process is complete and we go to 11 our council, you know, we'll have a better idea of like 12 what -- how we can implement these over the next five 13 years. Some of the things that might be sort of low
14 hanging fruit maybe is span expansions. Those are
15 sometimes a little easier.
16 So, like, one of the questions we just had about
17 the 2, you know, we're not going to get to 10 minutes 18 before the D Line opens, but we might be able to, you 19 know, have Route 2, for example, just start a little 20 earlier than it is now and a little later or operate a 21 little later into the evening. So some of those
22 improvements might be made before sort of some of these 23 frequency improvements.
24 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you,
25 Alfredo. And thank you for the comment and question. We 69 1 do have another speaker. So, Dominic, I will go ahead 2 and allow you to unmute and if you can provide your name 3 and then your city of residence and provide your public 4 comment.
5 MR. DOMINIC SARABIA: Yeah. You can hear me,
6 right?
7 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: We can, yes.
8 MR. DOMINIC SARABIA: So my name is Dominic
9 Sarabia. I'm from Hesperia. My question is about Route 10 14 being extended to Culver City. Is that going to
11 happen before the five years, or is that going to happen 12 around the five years?
13 MS. MELISSA SATHER: That one is dependent on
14 kind of working with the Culver City bus, LA Metro, and 15 the Transit Center. So I think that one, you know, it's 16 going to require some coordination with other partners, 17 so the timeline on that is still to be determined.
18 MR. DOMINIC SARABIA: Okay. Thanks.
19 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Sorry about that. Thank you,
20 Dominic, for your comment and question. All right. And, 21 again, just as a time check, we do have until 8 p.m. So, 22 again, if you do have any other comments or questions, 23 you can feel free to make those at this time. We will be 24 on until at least 8 p.m. to answer that.
25 And, again, we do have the in-person public
70 1 hearing, so that will be another opportunity to provide 2 that feedback, and, of course, we are accepting feedback 3 until Friday, May 24th, at 5 p.m. So there are a few
4 ways listed on the screen here.
5 So if you do have any more thorough feedback
6 that you would like to provide, you can do that in
7 writing. We would also encourage, again, anyone here who 8 hasn't, if you can take our survey so that we can receive 9 some of that more specific feedback that I know will be 10 very helpful for our team throughout this process.
11 All right. We just received another question.
12 And, again, this was answered, but, Alfredo, I'll let 13 you -- sorry, Melissa or Alfredo, I'll let you answer 14 this one. But they're just asking when the Rapid 12
15 frequency change is going to be implemented. So, again, 16 just to clarify, I'll let Melissa provide that update on 17 the timing and this is sort of true for most of these 18 service changes, but, Melissa, if you want to go ahead 19 and clarify that.
20 MS. MELISSA SATHER: Yeah, we haven't figured
21 out the final phasing yet. You know, that will come
22 after we've solidified the final plan, since, you know, 23 we do expect to be making some updates between now and 24 what's formally adopted or presented to Council in July. 25 The goal is going to be to phase in changes, you know, 71 1 incrementally over a series of service changes.
2 Obviously going to want to prioritize ones that
3 are going to provide, you know, large benefits to riders, 4 but also we have to figure out how many service hours we 5 can increase. In each change, frequency changes tend to 6 be, you know, require a lot more hours than some other, 7 you know, either alignment changes or span changes. So 8 it's all still to be determined. You know, that will
9 kind of come as next steps.
10 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you,
11 Melissa. And then we have another question here in the 12 chat asking if there are any plans to add seating at 4th 13 and Pico for Route 7. Just to go back to a comment that 14 was made a little while ago, so there is another effort 15 by Big Blue Bus called the -- Alfredo, I believe it's the 16 Better Blue where they are looking at bus stop
17 improvements.
18 And so that's not a part of this specific
19 effort, but certainly Big Blue Bus and the City have 20 several efforts going on right now to address Big Blue 21 Bus service, but, Alfredo or Robert, if you wanted to 22 expand on that at all, I think that might be appreciated, 23 so --
24 MR. ALFREDO TORALES: Yeah. Again, yeah, it's
25 the Better Blue Bus Stops project. Again, we've taken 72 1 some surveys in recent months. We've talked to people 2 last year. We had a bus stop amenity study done where we 3 looked at all the amenities, amenities being seating, 4 shade, you know, real-time signage at all our stops. It 5 was a big -- you know, an inventory of all those
6 amenities at all our stops.
7 So now we're looking at how or what stops to
8 prioritize for improvements in terms of amenities. So 9 the 4th and Pico stop, if I'm correct, is referred to -- 10 the one right in front of the high school. You know, I 11 don't know if that person can confirm that, but, you 12 know, I'll note it down and we'll see where that one is 13 in terms of the priorities for future seating.
14 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Thank you, Alfredo. And I'll
15 look out if there is any follow-up on that. And they 16 were just asking if there is a link for that Better Blue 17 process, if there's a link that can be provided with any 18 updates. So is that on the Big Blue Bus site yet,
19 Alfredo, or will that be coming soon? Maybe Robert can 20 answer that.
21 MR. ALFREDO TORALES: Yeah, Robert, are you
22 going to --
23 MR. ROBERT MCCALL: Yeah, I can jump in and
24 answer this one. So, yeah, there is -- there's not a 25 direct link to get to the project page, but if you visit 73 1 bigbluebus.com/betterblue, you can read about the
2 project. We'll be working in the coming weeks to share 3 more broadly with our customers about the amenities and 4 providing a way for them to track progress as we update 5 our bus stops within our system with greater amenities. 6 So definitely more details to come soon, but if
7 you'd like to kind of get an early preview, you can
8 visit, again, bigbluebus.com/brighterblue -- I'm sorry, 9 betterblue.
10 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you very
11 much, Robert. And I did see another hand raise from
12 Margarita, and I believe Margarita is one of our Spanish 13 speakers. So Jessica on my team or, Alfredo, if you're 14 able to respond if it's a question. If not, Margarita, 15 we will go ahead and allow you to --
16 MS. MELISSA SATHER: Hang on. Josh, if you have
17 the interpretation thing at the bottom of your screen and 18 you click on that and default it to English, because I 19 know last time we had -- the language -- yeah, if you 20 select the language, you should be able to hear the
21 response in your preferred language selection.
22 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right.
23 MS. MARGARITA TORRES: (Comment given in
24 Spanish.)
25 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you very
74 1 much. And just as a note too, we do have the survey for 2 this effort in both English and Spanish. So we invite 3 anyone who does -- who would like to take that survey in 4 Spanish, that is also available on the
5 brighterbluebbb.com website, and, in fact, the entire 6 website is available in Spanish. If you go to that
7 website, there is an option to go to a clone of that
8 website, but it is in Spanish and that's where the survey 9 is for those who need that.
10 So thank you very much for that comment. And at
11 the moment, I don't see any other speakers. We do have 12 about eight minutes. So if you have any last comments or 13 questions, please either put that in the chat or raise 14 your hand. We will be ending this meeting right at 8 15 p.m., but, again, we will have another opportunity for 16 public comments at our Saturday meeting and that's at 10 17 a.m. at Virginia Avenue Park as well.
18 Again, we have our survey, so we encourage
19 everyone to take that. You can also let -- if you ride 20 with anyone regularly and want to let them know, we would 21 appreciate any promotion of that survey that you could do 22 for us.
23 We will be promoting that survey through May
24 24th as well. So you may see some additional
25 correspondence come out through e-blasts, through text 75 1 messages and, you know, the flyers will still be on the 2 bus with the information on how to access our website 3 too. So please keep an eye out for some of that.
4 Yeah, someone is asking if we can post the link
5 to the proposed changes and survey in the chat. So, yes. 6 As a reminder, and I will go ahead and respond to this 7 comment with that link, but the website for this project 8 is brighterbluebbb.com. So I'll go ahead and send that 9 to the person asking, but on that website, you know, it 10 does include the draft recommendations as a PDF that you 11 can download.
12 There's also an option to flip through it on the
13 website, so there's an embedded feature on the website 14 there too. And then, again, the survey is available on 15 the website as well. That's also embedded, but you can 16 also click through to that survey and provide your
17 feedback that way.
18 All right. And then I do see another hand
19 raised from Bill. So, Bill, I'm going to go ahead and 20 allow you to unmute and, again, if you can just say your 21 name, city of residence and then make your public
22 comment.
23 MR. BILL LAM: Hi, I'm sorry. I forgot to add
24 one more comment earlier that I spoke. So yes, I'm Bill, 25 Bill Lam from Monterey Park. I live in Monterey Park. 76 1 I've been using Big Blue Bus in the past. I spoke a 2 comment earlier, but I forgot one more thing to add is 3 that, yes, please keep the Hilgard Terminal bus stop
4 because, No. 1, I agree with other commenters regarding 5 bus shelters as well as restrooms.
6 But if you only focus at the Charles Young
7 building area, where will -- let me rephrase. So will 8 there be like any more bus shelters at the Charles Young 9 area as well as restrooms for bus drivers, because if 10 there's no restrooms or bus shelters over there, I mean, 11 how would people, like, you know, wait for a bus or
12 making bus drivers take a break or something like that? 13 But anyway, one more thing is that please
14 maintain the Hilgard Terminal bus stop, so during
15 weekdays in the daytime. So that's all my comments.
16 Thanks.
17 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you very
18 much, Bill. And then we did get one other question, and 19 I think for this question, it might be a good time to 20 bring up another initiative that isn't a part of this 21 process, but just something that I think is good for all 22 Big Blue Bus riders to be aware of.
23 And, Robert, you may have the most knowledge of
24 this, but the safety officer's initiative that rolled 25 out, I believe a few months ago. So if you could just 77 1 elaborate on what that is and what Big Blue Bus is trying 2 to achieve with this new safety officer program.
3 MR. ROBERT MCCALL: Yeah, happy to. Thanks,
4 Josh. So, yeah, we recently rolled out a brand-new
5 program we're calling Transit Safety Officers, but what 6 they are, are hired contracted private security and they 7 are riding our system and also stationed at bus stops and 8 they are riding mostly on sort of high-volume routes and 9 high-volume bus stops.
10 And they are there to really provide a friendly
11 face and to serve as a helpful guide to help people
12 navigate our system, but there are certain conditions, 13 there are certain circumstances that happen within our 14 system and they're specifically trained on helping to 15 create a comfortable and pleasant experience for all of 16 our riders.
17 And so there are four officers that are riding
18 16 hours a day in two different shifts, and then on the 19 weekdays -- or weekends, I'm sorry, there are four
20 officers that are running in eight-hour shifts. So -- 21 and they're covering quite a number of routes as they're 22 riding.
23 So they're transferring often throughout the
24 system and just, again, being sort of a visible presence, 25 but more importantly, I think, again, a friendly face, 78 1 helping customers navigate the system and helping them 2 make connections and finding value in the service that we 3 deliver.
4 So they're there -- so if you see anything,
5 they're really sort of another pair of eyes and ears in 6 addition to the bus operators. So if there are things 7 that you do observe in the system, you can feel free to 8 report them directly to our safety officers. They're
9 identifiable in a black uniform and usually they have a 10 jacket or safety vest that says security on patrol. And 11 so, yeah, if you see them, please do say hello, but also, 12 feel free to share any concerns that you may have with 13 them directly.
14 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you very
15 much, Robert, for that. And, again, there is more info 16 on that initiative too on the bigbluebus.com website. So 17 if you would like more information, I would recommend you 18 go there and check that out.
19 There's also links to other programs that Big
20 Blue Bus has, so I know a lot of questions came in about 21 other efforts going on, including with the bus stops. 22 So, you know, I would encourage everyone to take a gander 23 at the Big Blue Bus website.
24 So, we are about to wrap up, but we did get one
25 question, so I'm going to see if we can quickly get that 79 1 answered. There is a question about the downtown bus. I 2 think they just want to know what the route number for 3 that was, and if there are any changes with that one. 4 And then one last question, too, that I see is a
5 question regarding direct access to the pier and beach 6 instead of having to walk from 4th and Colorado.
7 MR. ALFREDO TORALES: Regarding the DT bus, I'm
8 guessing that's downtown LA, that's Rapid 10, no proposed 9 changes on that one. Oh, Santa Monica. You know, I'm
10 not sure I understand Santa Monica downtown. Most of our 11 buses pass through downtown.
12 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Yeah, we can maybe look into
13 that too. So I guess it went to 2nd Street and Wilshire, 14 if that's familiar.
15 MR. ALFREDO TORALES: Yeah. I think I know. A
16 few summers ago before Covid, we rolled out a -- sort of 17 a circular service around -- connecting the downtown 18 Santa Monica Station and went around like 3rd Street 19 Promenade essentially. And just due to very low
20 ridership, we just eliminated that service. So we have 21 no plans to bring that back.
22 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you,
23 Alfredo. And that does bring us to 8 p.m. So, again, 24 thank you, everyone, so much for joining us for tonight's 25 public hearing. As a final reminder, we do have the
80 1 in-person public hearing on April 20th. That is a
2 Saturday morning at 10 a.m. So if you are able, please 3 join us for that.
4 And, again, our public comment period for this
5 will remain open through May 24th, which is a Friday. So 6 please provide any comments that you may have by then. 7 You can also provide us with your input via the survey. 8 Before we go, I'm going to let Alfredo close us
9 out, but I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for 10 joining us. Alfredo.
11 MR. ALFREDO TORALES: Yeah. Again, just want to
12 echo that. You know, thank you for staying up with us 13 tonight and commenting on the proposed changes. You
14 know, thank you, Josh and Melissa, for your great work 15 tonight. So, yeah, hope to see you Saturday and, again, 16 thank you for being part of this process. Good night. 17 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Excellent. And
18 sorry, one more quick note. We will be posting video 19 recordings of this public hearing on our website, so look 20 out for that in the coming weeks. Again, everyone, have 21 a good night and we'll see some of you on Saturday.
22 MS. MELISSA SATHER: Thank you.
23 24 (Meeting concluded.)
25 81
1 CERTIFICATE
2 OF
3 CERTIFIED SHORTHAND REPORTER
4 * * * *
5 6
7 8 The undersigned Certified Shorthand Reporter of
9 the State of California does hereby certify:
10 That the foregoing meeting was taken before me
11 at the time and place therein set forth.
12 That the statements made at the time of the
13 meeting were recorded stenographically by me and were 14 thereafter transcribed, and, therefore, said transcript 15 being a true and correct copy of the meeting thereof. 16 In witness whereof, I have subscribed my name,
17 this date: April 28, 2024.
18 19
20 21
22 · · _______________________
Katherine Thomas
23 24
25 2
1 City of Santa Monica
2 Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis
3 Saturday, April 20, 2024
4 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
5 6 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Hi, everyone. Good morning.
7 Just a quick announcement. We're going to get started in 8 a few minutes, but we want to give everyone some time to 9 come in. So, we know there are probably a few people
10 that are on their way. So, we'll start right at about 11 10:15.
12 So, in the meantime, you can see we have a lot
13 of display boards on the side here, so those are actually 14 some of the draft recommendations that we'll be speaking 15 on today. So, if you see any of us with the name badges, 16 feel free, if you have any questions, to ask us. We can 17 show you some of those changes now, but Melissa here will 18 be going over all of this when we start our presentation. 19 But, yes, in about ten minutes, we'll get started.
20 (Brief pause in the proceeding.)
21 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you,
22 everyone. Good morning. We are going to get -- go ahead 23 and get started. So, if you've already signed in, if you 24 could, please take a seat so we could get started with 25 the presentation.
3 1 And before we get started, I did want to make a
2 couple of announcements. We do have closed-captioning. 3 So, if you do need the caption service, if you wouldn't 4 mind just sitting on this side so you can see the
5 captions as they come in. They'll be on a slight delay, 6 but you'll see them pop up pretty quickly there. So if 7 you do need those captions, please sit up here on the 8 front left.
9 All right. And then before we get started, real
10 quick, just as an introduction, my name is Josh Francis. 11 I'm an outreach consultant, and I'm working on behalf of 12 the city with TMD on this Brighter Blue Comprehensive 13 Outreach Analysis. So, I'll be facilitating today's
14 public hearing.
15 But before we get into the presentation, I
16 wanted to give the director of transportation here in 17 Santa Monica, Anuj Gupta, a chance to open up the public 18 hearing. So, thank you again for joining us, and I'm 19 going to go ahead and turn it over to you, Anuj.
20 MR. ANUJ GUPTA: Thank you, Josh, and good
21 morning, everybody. Thank you all for being here.
22 Delighted to see you-all here today.
23 I just wanted to first of all thank you for
24 being here and thank you for caring about the Big Blue 25 Bus and caring about transit in Santa Monica.
4 1 The reason that you're all here is because,
2 hopefully, you are a rider of Big Blue Bus, and if you're 3 not, you're here because you want to become a rider. We 4 want to, obviously, retain all of you who ride the Big 5 Blue Bus, make sure that the system responds to what you 6 need, make sure that it takes you where you want to go. 7 And for those of you who maybe used to riding
8 the Big Blue Bus or haven't ridden the Big Blue Bus, we 9 want to make sure you become a transit rider -- become a 10 regular rider, because we're confident we've got the best 11 transit service in Southern California. We've got the 12 best buses, the greenest fleet, and the best drivers, and 13 we've got -- we, hopefully, will be taking you where you 14 want to go.
15 And that's what we're here today to discuss is:
16 Where does our service go? When, how, and does the bus 17 come? Does it serve you, take you where you want to go, 18 because we want to be a service that meets your needs, 19 and meets the needs of our community.
20 So, what we're going to do here today is to
21 discuss some specific recommendations that we will be 22 bringing forward as part of our long-range plan. And 23 what I really want to emphasize is that these
24 recommendations also came from all of you.
25 You'll hear a little bit more about the work
5 1 that went into these recommendations; but literally, we 2 had, between onboard surveys, online surveys, and more 3 public meetings that we had last month, we had thousands 4 of inputs that developed these recommendations so that we 5 can make sure that the Big Blue Bus service of the future 6 takes people where they need to go and is the most
7 useful, attractive service that they could possibly have. 8 I also want to note, thanks to the team at the
9 DOT, our Big Blue Bus service is better than ever. We 10 are investing in safety improvements. We have transit 11 safety officers that are on many of our buses. They just 12 make sure that everybody's having a comfortable and safe 13 ride. We have new screens that help our buses
14 communicate more effectively with our home office and 15 also give you more information about where you're going 16 and when you're going to get there.
17 And above all, we've got, as I said, the best
18 drivers, we are going green, we've got -- about 10
19 percent of our fleet are now zero emissions electric 20 buses, we've got more electric buses coming next year, 21 and so we're confident that our service is helping ensure 22 that our planet and our young people who are here can 23 enjoy our service and enjoy our community for many, many 24 decades to come.
25 So, thank you all. I want to thank Alfredo
6 1 Torales, our planning manager, and his whole team; Robert 2 McCall, our community engagement manager, for being here, 3 for putting on these events; and thank you for your
4 input, thanks for listening, and we look forward to
5 hearing what you have to share about the recommendations 6 that we're bringing forward. Thank you.
7 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you very
8 much, Anuj. Okay. All right.
9 And another quick note, if you haven't already,
10 as you were walking in, our staff up at registration may 11 have given you a speaker card. So, if you haven't
12 already, but you would like to speak, go ahead and fill 13 that speaker card out, and that will be the order that we 14 start the public comments once we conclude with the
15 presentation. So, please fill out that card if you would 16 like to make a public comment on the record today.
17 There are other opportunities to make public
18 comments, so if you don't want to make a verbal comment, 19 you can also provide us comments in writing at the back 20 table right there where Robert's standing. If you can 21 wave, Robert. So, right back there, there's some comment 22 cards.
23 You can also email us those comments, or you can
24 mail them. So, we'll go over how you can submit those 25 comments a little later in the presentation. But if you 7 1 haven't and you would like to speak, please fill out that 2 speaker card.
3 If you do have a comment while we're in the
4 middle of the public comments, you can still fill out a 5 card. So, just wave one of our staff down, and we'll get 6 you one of those.
7 All right. So real quickly, just to go over
8 what we will be talking about today, so we'll do a quick 9 project overview. I know a lot of you are probably
10 familiar with this project at this point. Those of you 11 who have been part of our stakeholder briefings or
12 previous rounds of workshops. Thank you for coming back. 13 We're pleased to show some of the
14 recommendations that came out of all of those efforts. 15 So, that will be familiar, but there will be a lot of new 16 stuff to go over in this presentation.
17 So, what is the Brighter Blue COA? So, this a
18 five-year plan for improving transit service in Santa 19 Monica as well as the Greater West LA area.
20 The other goal of the Brighter Blue is to
21 restore service back to prepandemic levels, address
22 changes in travel behavior resulting from the COVID-19 23 pandemic as well as redesign the service to better match 24 current patterns in travel.
25 Additionally, we want to use this Brighter Blue
8 1 COA process to address future changes that are coming. 2 So, there is a lot going on in the region, including the 3 opening of the D Line extension. That will connect all 4 the way to Westwood as well as the opening of the LAX 5 Metro Transit Center that is a part of the K line and the 6 Automated People Mover project at LAX.
7 We are also, as Anuj referenced, the Big Blue
8 Bus system is transitioning towards a zero-emission
9 fleet. So, that is also another big priority of this
10 service plan is to help the system transition to that 11 zero-emission goal.
12 So, as you can see here on the timeline, we are
13 right between steps 3 and 4. So, step 3 was developing 14 the service plan, so all the changes that you'll hear 15 today as well as the changes you can see on the boards 16 over on this side of the room. So, those are all changes 17 that were a result of the community outreach that we've 18 conducted over the last several months.
19 And then the final step, of course, will be the
20 final service plan that will be submitted to the Santa 21 Monica city council for incorporation. So this is a
22 important step in the process. Of course, we want to 23 hear comments and feedback on this draft service plan so 24 that we can incorporate any of those final changes before 25 it does get to council for adoption.
9 1 Next, I'm going to briefly go over the community
2 outreach efforts that have been done for this Brighter 3 Blue COA process.
4 So to kick off, we actually conducted an onboard
5 community survey of riders on the Big Blue Bus system 6 that garnered over a thousand responses. So, with this 7 process, we, of course, wanted to hear from the riders of 8 Big Blue Bus to understand some of the issues that they 9 face currently and what some of those changes they would 10 like to see in this new service plan.
11 Following that, we conducted focus group
12 meetings with several key stakeholder groups in the city 13 of Santa Monica as well as the Greater LA area, and I 14 recognize a few faces from those of you who are part of 15 that. But we did meet with groups of Santa Monica
16 college students, UCLA students, faculty. We met with 17 Santa Monica's Internal Mobility team. We met with
18 Culver City and Metro and LA DOT to hear their thoughts 19 on this process.
20 So we met with a lot of different groups, and
21 importantly too, we did meet with the neighborhood
22 associations in Santa Monica to hear that feedback from 23 residents here in the city as well.
24 Next, we conducted an online survey, so this
25 online survey was open to anyone, and this survey
10 1 garnered over four hundred responses. So, a lot of 2 changes that you'll see that we're recommending came as a 3 result of all those efforts.
4 And then finally, our last effort -- our last
5 major effort was public workshops that we conducted in 6 March. So, some of you, again, were at those. So, thank 7 you for coming back for the public hearings.
8 But we did conduct a virtual and an in-person
9 public workshop where we further received feedback, and, 10 in fact, there's some remnants of the feedback on the 11 system map over here on the left, where we basically 12 asked to show where you're taking the Big Blue Bus where, 13 where you're originating your trip, where you're ending 14 to get a better idea of how the public is using the
15 service right now.
16 So, some of the key takeaways from community
17 outreach is: More frequency was the top requested
18 service improvement. So, we heard you. The service
19 frequency was definitely an issue that we heard and that 20 you want to see improved in this service plan. On-time 21 performance and frequency had the largest gap between 22 level of importance and level of satisfaction. So,
23 that's another key takeaway that we wanted to highlight. 24 And then, as well, current service hours limit
25 the usefulness of the bus service for early morning, late 11 1 evening, and weekend travel.
2 So, Melissa's going to go over how some of those
3 changes are reflected, but we also have them on the
4 boards in the back. For instance, we have a span
5 improvements board where you'll be able to see that
6 increase time that the buses will operate with this new 7 service plan.
8 So, with that, I'm going to go ahead and turn it
9 over to Melissa Sather. She is from TMD, and she helped 10 lead this process to come up with these draft
11 recommendations. Melissa.
12 MS. MELISSA SATHER: All right. Good morning.
13 Thank you for coming out on your Saturday morning.
14 Really excited to see everyone here.
15 I'm Melissa Sather. I'm from Transportation
16 Management & Design. We're a consulting firm working on 17 projects like this with agencies all over the country, 18 and so as we -- we're developing the draft service plan, 19 a couple guiding principles that we had as our
20 overarching themes for what we wanted to improve was:
21 First, to develop a plan that grows Big Blue Bus back to 22 where it was before the pandemic in terms of ridership, 23 in terms of service levels, acknowledging that people's 24 travel patterns have changed and wanting to have a system 25 that's really meeting everyone's needs today.
12 1 We want to focus on building a network of
2 high-frequency groups that allow for lifestyle changes. 3 So, having transit that's convenient, not just commuting 4 to and from work or to and from school but for every need 5 that you need, whether that's shopping or medical trips 6 or social recreation. So, building a network of routes 7 that operate ever ten to 15 minutes throughout the day to 8 make service more convenient.
9 The next thing we looked at is expanding service
10 hours to allow people to travel, you know, throughout the 11 day, not just that, you know, nine to five but starting 12 early in the morning around 5:00 a.m. and having,
13 especially, later evening service to 10:00 or 11:00
14 o'clock at night. A lot of the comments we heard was the 15 bus is great. I can get where I want to go, but I can't 16 get home because the bus ends too early; so wanting to 17 make sure the service stays out later, weekdays and on 18 weekends.
19 We want to create opportunities for people to
20 travel on weekends by introducing weekend service on 21 routes that currently only operate on weekdays, and then 22 with future LA Metro Rail construction projects, wanting 23 to make sure that we have convenient, direct connections 24 to those future lines, especially the C line, the
25 extension of the D line to Westwood, the E line, the K 13 1 line to LAX, and the future LAX People Mover.
2 So, just a couple of general trends, and then
3 what we'll be doing is go into each individual route, 4 talk about them briefly; but leave most of the time for 5 this meeting for public comment and feedback.
6 So, looking at the two maps, and the one on the
7 left, that's where Big Blue Bus is today in terms of
8 frequency, how often the buses are running. The map on 9 the right is proposed. The different colors are showing 10 how often that bus route's proposed to run.
11 So, those dark browns, those -- which are a
12 little hard to see in the light, but we do have a board 13 in the back. Dark browns are going to be every ten
14 minutes or better, and then the lighter, thinner lines 15 are less frequent.
16 And so, what you can really see from this map is
17 that under the proposed plan, we're proposing to increase 18 the number of routes operating every ten minutes from two 19 corridors to five corridors serving up to 70 percent of 20 daily riders on the Big Blue Bus.
21 And then similarly on weekends, adding weekend
22 service to four routes that don't have it today, so Route 23 4 -- sorry. Route 5, 15, 16, and 41, and then also
24 adding 15-minute service on the Rapid 12. And this board 25 and those maps are in the back if you want to look at it 14 1 more closely.
2 Similarly, looking at proposed span
3 improvements. So, anything in blue is going to be new 4 service. So, these are new hours of the day that the bus 5 is operating, and you can see, we're trying to add
6 service earlier in the morning and have it end later at 7 night, sometimes adding up to four hours of additional 8 service on a route. And this board also is in the back 9 of the room for more detail. One of the plans is also to 10 restore Route 44 servicing the SMC campuses.
11 Looking at weekend service, I already mentioned
12 proposing adding weekend service to those four routes, 13 Routes 5, 15, 16, and 41, and then also having service 14 start earlier in the morning and also end later in the 15 evenings. Yeah, on weekends people can move about and go 16 out in the evenings.
17 One of the things we also acknowledged with
18 proposed changes to service is that there are riders who 19 will be impacted when routes are rerouted. And so under 20 the proposed plan, there are some riders who are outside 21 a quarter mile of the proposed stop locations. So the 22 map -- the blue lines, those are showing all of the
23 proposed routes. The lighter blue shapes around those, 24 that's how far you can walk from a stop -- or a quarter 25 mile from a stop, and so all those red dots are showing 15 1 current riders who would be outside a quarter mile walk 2 of the proposed service.
3 Most of them are at the Metro Aviation/LAX
4 Station, and those riders should move to the LAX Metro 5 Transit Center with connections to the Metro K Line and 6 future LAX People Mover once the construction's done
7 around LAX.
8 The remaining 150 or so riders shown in red dots
9 along the map may have a further walk to a stop or have 10 to take another route, and so, part of, you know, the 11 implementation of the plan would involve targeted
12 outreach to those riders to help them find kind of
13 alternative options for their trips.
14 So, we're going to go into the individual route
15 proposals. These are the same maps and information
16 that's available on all of the boards. We also have on 17 the table at the back printed booklets in English and 18 Spanish with all the same information, if you want to 19 take that home or if you want to read it as we go through 20 it.
21 So, Route 1, we're looking at the proposed
22 alignment change going through the UCLA campus and ending 23 at Parking Structure 2, rather than using the Hilgard 24 Terminal. This allows students to get to destinations on 25 campus more directly as well as shortens the turnaround a 16 1 little bit to about 10-minute service during the week and 2 15-minute service on weekends.
3 Route 2, similar proposal to Route 1, having
4 that same routing through UCLA ending at Parking
5 Structure 2, also eliminating the deviation to Ashton 6 Avenue. The streamline service through Westwood. This 7 will provide direct connections to the future D Line
8 Station there, and then when the D Line opens, because 9 we're expecting the subway to generate a lot of demand, 10 the proposal's to increase Route 2's frequency to every 11 ten minutes on weekdays, where it's at about 20 minutes 12 today.
13 Route 3 on Lincoln Boulevard. So when the Metro
14 LAX Station opens, which I think is anticipated in 2026. 15 2025? This year, 2024. Okay, later this year. The
16 route's going to end at the new Metro LAX Transit Center, 17 which is going to shorten the route from where it is at 18 today, so that's that segment in red. And with that
19 shorter route, we can operate the route more frequently. 20 So, instead of running it every 13 minutes, we can run it 21 every 10 minutes throughout the week -- on the weekdays, 22 sorry, and 15 minutes on weekends.
23 One of the other proposals is to consolidate the
24 Rapid 3 and Route 3 into one service, and I'll explain a 25 little bit on the next slide about why we're proposing 17 1 that.
2 So when you look at the current rapid service
3 and the current local service, while your travel time on 4 the bus might be faster, the rapid stops at fewer stops, 5 your overall travel time using rapid can be longer. You 6 have a farther walk to the stop because the stops are 7 spread out more and the frequencies are lower. You have 8 a local route operating every 12 minutes, the rapid route 9 operating every 15 minutes. You have to pick and choose 10 between which one you want to take.
11 Whereas our proposal's to introduce one service
12 that operates more frequently, so by combining the two, 13 we can have service operating every seven and a half to 14 ten minutes instead of two services operating every, you 15 know, 14 to 20 minutes.
16 The actual time -- travel time on the bus might
17 be a little longer, but end to end from when you leave 18 your house, the walk to the stop, the wait for the bus, 19 overall travel time's shorter and makes service a little 20 bit more consistent, easier to understand without having 21 the two competing services. Happy to answer more
22 questions on that as well.
23 So, Route 5, the proposal's looking at
24 shortening the route to terminate at the SMC 17th
25 Street/D Line Station as well as the Westfield Century 18 1 City future site of the Century City Constellation D Line 2 Station. Having a shorter alignment allows us to operate 3 that route more frequently, instead of every 60 minutes, 4 could operate it every 30 minutes, and also add new
5 30-minute service on weekends.
6 Route 7 on Pico Boulevard, for the alignment
7 change, proposing eliminating the Beverlywood deviation. 8 There's a lot of people on -- onboard the bus at that 9 time, taking them out of direction adds a lot of time to 10 their trip. And then looking at consolidating the local 11 and the rapid together, which would allow us to operate 12 every seven and a half minutes during peak periods and 13 every ten minutes throughout the rest of the day on
14 weekdays with 15-minute service on weekends.
15 Express 7, which has been discontinued since
16 COVID, the pandemic, would be proposed to be permanently 17 discontinued.
18 Route 8, a couple of changes. Proposed changes:
19 The first is to end at Gateway Plaza on the UCLA campus. 20 This is the same place where the Rapid 12 ends. So, the 21 thought was to put both routes that operate on Westwood 22 Boulevard at the same stop so that riders can just hop on 23 any available bus to get to destinations on Westwood 24 Boulevard, especially the E Line Station. And then using 25 Main Street and 2nd Street in downtown Santa Monica
19 1 instead of Ocean Avenue for a faster trip, avoiding the 2 congestion around the pier.
3 And this route's proposed to operate every 20
4 minutes, an improvement over today where it's about every 5 25 to 27 minutes.
6 Route 9 in Pacific Palisades, so the green on
7 the map is showing a proposed extension of the route. So 8 in green, proposing extending it from the current
9 turnaround bringing it all the way to, down to Pacific 10 Coast Highway where it would turn around. Where the
11 Gladstones restaurant is, there's plans for a future 12 construction project to build a bus turnaround there, so 13 that will connect riders to the beach, connect them with 14 LA Metro Line 134 that goes out to Malibu.
15 And then making sure we've got increased service
16 during peak periods when there's the highest demand for 17 this route and improving service 30 minutes on weekends 18 as well.
19 For the Rapid 10 serving downtown Los Angeles,
20 at this time, there's no proposed alignment or schedule 21 changes. We're going to look at reviewing this route 22 after the D Line extension opens to Westwood, anticipated 23 in 2027.
24 Rapid 12, no proposed alignment changes; looking
25 at improving frequency on weekdays to every seven and a 20 1 half minutes during the peaks and ten minutes during 2 week -- off peaks and every 15 minutes on weekends, which 3 should provide a lot more trips than there are today. 4 Route 14, a couple of alignments on both --
5 changes on both ends. At the south, proposed to extend 6 east across Jefferson to end at the Culver City Transit 7 Center. This would provide riders with access to
8 Westfield Culver City Mall as well as some other shopping 9 and various destinations in that area. The route would 10 no longer extend south to connect to the Metro K Line, 11 but there are other services, like Culver City bus Route 12 6, that connects further south towards LAX.
13 And then on the northern end proposed to turn
14 the route east along Wilshire to end at the future D Line 15 Westwood/VA Hospital Station, providing riders with a 16 direct connection to the subway, which will take you all 17 the way along Wilshire Boulevard to downtown Los Angeles. 18 Proposing to improve the frequency on this route to every 19 15 minutes on weekdays and 20 minutes on the weekends. 20 Route 15, so proposing a pretty substantial
21 deviation on the route with the goal of getting riders to 22 the D Line Station, giving direct connection to that 23 major transfer hub; and then adding -- improving service 24 on weekdays to 30 minutes and then also adding new
25 30-minute service on weekends.
21 1 Route 16, a similar change to Route 14,
2 extending it farther along Wilshire Boulevard to directly 3 connect with that future D Line Station. Again, these 4 changes phase when that station opens, which is planned 5 for 2027; and also adding new weekend service to Route 6 16.
7 Route 17, very minor alignment changes through
8 Westwood; improve frequency to every 15 minutes during 9 the week and 30 minutes on weekends.
10 Route 18, again, slightly different alignment
11 through UCLA ending at Parking Structure 2, serving those 12 destinations along Charles E. Young Drive East and then 13 in the southern portion extending the route further south 14 to get more coverage in Marina del Rey.
15 Route 41, so a couple of alignment changes here.
16 The first is we got a lot of comments about wanting to 17 see the route extend to Ocean Park Boulevard. And so, 18 the proposed alignment extends from Pico to Ocean Park 19 Boulevard. It also, right now the route does a bit of 20 the figure eight around the E Line Station. This would 21 operate more consistently as a circle.
22 If you think about it, it's basically a
23 rectangle that goes in one direction but then collapses 24 in the middle onto 17th Street, operates both ways on 25 17th, but then kind of continues in a clockwise
22 1 direction. So, the route would no longer deviate to 2 serve the Performing Arts Center. That will be served by 3 Route 44 the SMC connector.
4 So, proposed to increase the service from every
5 20 minutes to every 15 minutes, as well as adding new 6 20-minute service on weekends, not looking at restoring 7 service on Route 42, which would operate in the other 8 direction. So, we took the resources from 42 and used 9 those to pay for the frequency improvements and the new 10 weekend service.
11 Route 43, looking at extending the route farther
12 south on San Vincente Boulevard down to 7th Street where 13 it will connect with Route 9, which will take you out to 14 Pacific Palisades or into downtown Santa Monica, with the 15 extension looking at then shortening the route on the 16 other end to start at the 26th Street/Bergamot E Line 17 Station. And then you're improving frequency to every 20 18 minutes but still keeping this as a peak-period only 19 weekday route.
20 And then the last route is Route 44, the SMC
21 connector, not currently operating but restoring
22 operation looking at extending the route from the 17th 23 Street/SMC station to the Performing Arts Center to
24 connect up both SMC campuses as well as the Performing 25 Arts Center, operating every 20 minutes on weekdays. 23 1 So, in terms of next steps, we're here at the
2 in-person public hearing. We are going to be collecting 3 comments through May 24th and then taking the comments 4 that we receive and refining the draft service plan to 5 incorporate all the comments, present a final plan to 6 council in July.
7 And so, we have a survey that's available on
8 brighterbluebbb.com. We also have printed copies of the 9 survey in the back of the room, and it gets pretty
10 detailed in terms of going through a lot of the
11 recommendations and talking about if you agree or
12 disagree with the specific changes. So, really encourage 13 you, in addition to providing your comments today, to 14 fill out that survey so we can get the feedback that way. 15 And I'll hand it back to Josh.
16 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you,
17 Melissa. So next, we're going to go into our public
18 comments portion of this meeting. Just a few notes. So, 19 we will be turning the mic around to give you-all the 20 opportunity to speak, if you have the verbal comment. We 21 do have about a dozen comments -- speaker cards I should 22 say, right now.
23 So, a couple of notes before we get into that,
24 each speaker is going to have three minutes to make their 25 public comments. So, again, we do have quite a few, so 24 1 if you can please be mindful of that time limit. I'm 2 going to set a timer and let you know when you're
3 approaching that three-minute marker.
4 For anyone who hasn't who would like to make a
5 comment, please, if you can go to the front registration 6 table back there and just fill out the speaker card, hand 7 that to our staff back there, and they'll bring that up 8 to me and we'll get you in the queue.
9 Comments and questions will be transcribed by
10 our court reporter, so the court reporter is here today 11 to log those comments officially into this hearing
12 record. And we're going to incorporate those comments 13 into the final service plan to make sure those comments 14 get addressed and any minor tweaks that need to happen 15 based on the feedback we get, there will be a record of 16 that.
17 The team will not be responding to questions
18 that are made in the public comments, so please just be 19 mindful that we won't be responding to any questions or 20 comments. But those will be logged into the official 21 hearing record.
22 If do you have general questions about Big Blue
23 Bus or anything regarding this meeting, you can find 24 staff after the public comment period is over, and we'll 25 be happy to address that.
25 1 In addition to these verbal comments, we have
2 mentioned a few other methods to provide public comments, 3 you can do so. Today, we have a public comment station 4 in the back. Anuj is actually standing right next to it; 5 so if you want to wave, so right back there.
6 You can also submit those to us via email, so
7 that email is [email protected]. Those go
8 straight to Alfredo, so those will also be incorporated 9 into the official hearing log. And then we also can
10 accept those through mail, so if you prefer to mail your 11 comments in, you can mail those to Big Blue Bus and the 12 address is up there and we will also incorporate those 13 comments.
14 As Melissa mentioned, the comment period ends
15 May 24th, so if you do have any other comments that you 16 come up with between now and May, just please be sure to 17 get those submitted to us by May 24th so we have time to 18 incorporate those before we go to city council.
19 So with that, I'm going to go ahead and call on
20 the speakers that I have. If you wouldn't mind coming up 21 to the front, I'm going to turn this microphone around in 22 a second here and just speaking for your three minutes, 23 and then I'll let you know when it is the next speaker's 24 opportunity. So, give me one second to get this turned 25 around, and then we'll get started.
26 1 All right. The first speaker I have is Jonathan
2 Olson.
3 MR. JONATHAN OSBORNE: Olson or Osborne.
4 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Oh, sorry; Jonathan Osborne.
5 MR. JONATHAN OSBORNE: Okay.
6 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: And if you won't mind just
7 stating your name and your city of residence for the
8 record.
9 MR. JONATHAN OSBORNE: Yeah, no problem.
10 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: And then the next couple of
11 speakers, if you just want to get lined up, Lon Tinney 12 and Wayne Wright. If you wouldn't mind just coming
13 closer to the front so we can transition easily. Go
14 ahead.
15 MR. JONATHAN OSBORNE: Yeah, my name is Jonathan
16 Osborne. I'm a resident of Santa Monica. I live in the 17 -- I think it's -- they call it the Wilmont area a couple 18 blocks north of Wilshire Boulevard, and while the 41 is 19 conveniently located, the service for my purposes tends 20 to be a bit inconvenient.
21 One, the -- the current complete lack of
22 access -- current complete inability to take the 41
23 during the weekend restricts my ability to use the E 24 Line, and I am what you might call a clancy captive. I 25 don't own a car. So, when I rely upon it, it's awkward. 27 1 The other thing that happens, I also end up
2 taking some classes at Santa Monica College; and getting 3 to and from there, particularly in the evening -- I take 4 an aqua aerobics class. I try to keep myself from
5 becoming even more unfit, but -- and getting to there is 6 really problematic.
7 I am part of the MODE program, being ancient of
8 days; and since you went to the shared ride thing
9 recently, I've had situations where I've tried to request 10 a shared Lyft, and I've been put on -- I didn't even 11 connect to a driver in half an hour. And that means that 12 I really have to leave really early for medical
13 appointments and such, which is terribly inconvenient, 14 and I may be able to use the faster service on the one -- 15 No. 2 bus, but currently -- currently getting to Westwood 16 or other medical appointments is quite difficult.
17 Anyway, that's it.
18 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you so
19 much, and the next speaker is Lon Tinney.
20 MR. LON TINNEY: Uh, I got to grow some. I used
21 to do stand-up, now I do sit-down. Anyway, so here's my 22 red badge of courage, the TAP card. It works so we well, 23 I can't tell you.
24 The other thing is, quite honestly, I have no
25 complaints. You guys have serviced me for like four or 28 1 five years now. I'm a stroke survivor. I'm paralyzed on 2 my left side, and you guys are very accommodating getting 3 me in and out of buses. So, I appreciate that very much, 4 and I have a different perspective than people that walk 5 on a bus, I can assure you. So, if I can be helpful to 6 you as a handicap person, I'll be more than happy to do 7 that. That would be my pleasure, my delight.
8 I have some things that I do wish to address,
9 which are kind of important to me, which are -- you said 10 moving back to pre-COVID services. You may have covered 11 this and you may not have, I'll just mention it in
12 passing. I live at Ashland. You moved that from
13 Ashland, you moved it to Marine, you moved it to Hill, 14 and that's just an inconvenience for me being in a
15 wheelchair, particularly in winter.
16 So, if it could get back to Ashland like it was,
17 you may be addressing this, I don't know, but that would 18 be my request, humble as it is.
19 The other thing -- next thing is that the two --
20 in order to go down Wilshire Boulevard, I have to take to 21 the one, and I'll go, like, to 20th Street. Then I'll 22 get up and I'll drive to up two and then I'll take the 23 two, take it on into wherever I go to a day.
24 But it's an inconvenience. It would be nice --
25 years ago, the two used to go down to Main Street. Now 29 1 it stops at Pico. But if it could go down Main Street 2 for a lot of us that have to go to Wilshire Boulevard, 3 there's a lot of medical facilities on Wilshire and UCLA 4 Hospital is more accessible from Wilshire. So, it would 5 be a bit of a more convenience for guys like me in
6 wheelchairs.
7 The next thing is on the, like, at 20th and
8 Santa Monica, you have a nice display there. Those
9 displays work very well. I'm sure you're in the process 10 of installing those, but I just want to comment that 11 those, that those work very well. I'm going to start 12 singing in a minute. All right. I won't do blonde
13 jokes. You guys heard -- no.
14 Okay. So, the displays work very well. The
15 other thing I wanted to a address previously is lights. 16 Lights are real important for guys like me in
17 wheelchairs. At night we're targets, so the better the 18 lighting, the less target we become. That's my
19 consideration. You put me in the dark, you know,
20 somebody's in trouble, and it's usually me. Anyway. So 21 lights would be a little bit more (indiscernible).
22 I also wanted to comment on the types of buses
23 that you got. The big buses for me have a wider on-ramp. 24 Those rider on-ramps actually work better for guys like 25 me. The regular ones are -- you got to pay attention, 30 1 and I've -- I've missed once or twice and it's damn -- 2 it's devastating.
3 Okay. And then the other thing is the Metro
4 buses, they are wider, and then they are -- have a little 5 longer ramp and that works really well.
6 And the other thing's the Metro buses, I don't
7 know where you buy your buses, but when you buy your
8 buses, you might look at buying them at the same place at 9 Metro because they're much more comfortable than the Blue 10 Bus -- sorry to be the bearer of bad news -- but they are 11 nicer to ride in and they're easier to get off and on. 12 And one other thing too is, like, say -- the
13 Metro will let you sit where they have the -- you know, 14 where you're supposed to have your -- be backed into the 15 seats. I personally get car sick, I have to face
16 forward. So I'll have to sit -- so on occasion, I have 17 actually gotten off a bus to get on another bus where I 18 can face forward. So, if we can make some arrangement 19 for guys like me to face forward, that would be great. 20 Tell me when I've run out of time.
21 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: You're out of time.
22 MR. LON TINNEY: Am I out?
23 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: If you want to make a closing
24 remark, that's fine.
25 MR. LON TINNEY: Okay. That's it. I don't have
31 1 anything (indiscernible).
2 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you very
3 much.
4 MR. LON TINNEY: And like I said, if I can be a
5 help to you guys running a gamut as a guy in a
6 wheelchair, I'll be happy to do that. Thank you.
7 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Next speaker is
8 Wayne Wright. Following Wayne, it's going to be
9 Esmeralda Hernandez and Markeisha Haynes. So if you
10 wouldn't mind just coming closer to the front so we can 11 transition.
12 Wayne, if you wouldn't mind just stating your
13 name and your city of residence for the record.
14 MR. WAYNE WRIGHT: Thank you. My name is Wayne
15 Wright. I'm a residence of LA -- LA city. Within the 16 last ten years, I have been displeased with Big Blue 17 Bus's service changes. Basically, the blame was with 18 previous service development person under former Ed King, 19 the Big Blue Bus director.
20 The last for years since the pandemic, the
21 service on Big Blue Bus has -- service on Big Blue Bus 22 has kind of gone downhill because of COVID. No. 7 is, 23 basically, a train wreck. Buses are late, some are
24 empty, some are overcrowded. Rapid 7, it does good, but 25 sometimes it's a joke.
32 1 I would ask that some of the Big Blue Bus, No.
2 7 -- seven's, you know, consider terminating at
3 Pico/Rimpau, you know, to provide more better frequent 4 service between Mid-City LA to Santa Monica.
5 Also, I am disappointed that Route 7 go away. I
6 was hoping that staff would look at expanding the Rapid 7 7, rerouting it to go up La Cienga to Cedars-Sinai,
8 connecting to La Cienga D Line. I mean, if they could do 9 it peak hours, that would be helpful. But, you know,
10 once the Century City portion of the D Line opens, and 11 they can review again.
12 The No. 14 is a joke. When you get south of
13 Washington Boulevard, the buses are empty. When I'm down 14 -- connected between the K Line and the 857 shuttle, 15 those buses are empty. I mean, nobody gets on those
16 buses. Right now your proposal is to terminate at Culver 17 City Transit Center. One of the reasons the buses are 18 (indiscernible) because Culver City buses asked the bus 19 not to reroute the buses there because of the space
20 there.
21 I would suggest that the buses consider going
22 down Sepulveda and lay over at the Howard Hughes Center 23 because that's not served. It does not even Connect with 24 Culver City 6 and/or Rapid 6 or other Culver City buses 25 around Sepulveda and Jefferson.
33 1 The 18 is also a disaster. It does not serve
2 the shopping venues on Lincoln between Rose, California, 3 instead because of the previous service development
4 manager, he has buses -- had buses go seven to
5 California. I would suggest that the buses continue
6 coming down Rose Avenue -- and coming down Rose to
7 Lincoln and southbound buses use Millwood, Oakwood to 8 California because of the turn issues from southbound 9 Lincoln to eastbound California.
10 And also negotiate with Metro to consider taking
11 over -- having 18 take over the Marina del Rey portion of 12 (indiscernible), and that concludes my comments. Thank 13 you.
14 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Thank you so much, Wayne.
15 Next speaker is Esmeralda Hernandez. Esmeralda, if you 16 can please state your name and your city of residence for 17 the record and you will have three minutes.
18 And just as a note, I'll put my hand up when you
19 have five seconds, just so you know when you're coming 20 near your time limit.
21 MS. ESMERALDA HERNANDEZ: Okay, sir. My name is
22 Esmeralda Hernandez. My city of residence is Los
23 Angeles. Yeah, I currently attend Santa Monica College, 24 and one of my main avenues of transportation is the Blue 25 Line and the E Line. And first off, we want to thank the 34 1 Big Blue Bus for hearing our needs, especially for Route 2 44, restoring that for different campuses here at Santa 3 Monica, and we also understand why the 41 will no longer 4 serve (indiscernible), I think forty-four, which is an 5 amazing opportunity for our students at the Performing 6 Arts Center and the CMD and the main campus.
7 Some of the things that we do have in mind is
8 the 16's frequency level. We understand it's coming
9 every 30 minutes, but we would love for it to come even 10 more frequent times, as well as the Route 10. We
11 understand and we encourage the -- after the D Line is 12 taking into consideration, to encourage our members of 13 the Big Blue Bus to look into the Route 10, and it's 14 important because many of our students do come outside of 15 the West LA area and Santa Monica area.
16 It's an important line for our students and, you
17 know, some of the things are it's frequency level and 18 take into consideration of Route 10 and, you know, just 19 the greater Los Angeles area in general. Thank you so 20 much.
21 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you. All
22 right. Our next speaker will be Markeisha Haynes, and 23 then following Markeisha will be David Duncan and Jerry 24 Rubin. So, if you want to make your way to the front. I 25 can see Jerry's already up here.
35 1 Markeisha, if you can just say your name, city
2 of residence, and then you have three minutes.
3 MS. MARKEISHA HAYNES: Good morning, everyone.
4 My name is Markeisha Haynes. I am a tenured bus operator 5 for 17 years for the Big Blue Bus. I'm also a union
6 representative for all of the 200 MAD employees that we 7 do have at the Big Blue Bus.
8 My reasoning for being here is to, you know,
9 hear all public comments, as we do have our internal
10 discussions. As -- on behalf of the operators, I wanted 11 to be here to be able to more understand what the needs 12 and -- the needs for routes to better service the
13 community.
14 We are 100 percent in supporting our
15 department's decision as we go into changing our Blue Bus 16 routes. So, I just ask that you continue to make your 17 public comments, to get the word out to other riders that 18 you may know to encourage them also to submit public 19 comments, and then as we work through this, I ask that 20 you be patient with all of us as we work through this and 21 get us into a bigger and brighter future for the Big Blue 22 Bus. Thank you.
23 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you very
24 much, Markeisha. The next speaker is David Duncan.
25 David, if you would state your full name and
36 1 city of residence for the record, and then you have three 2 minutes to make your public comment.
3 MR. DAVID DUNCAN: Thank you. I'm David Duncan
4 from Los Angeles. I'm a student at Santa Monica College. 5 I'm a lifelong Big Blue Bus rider, currently live in the 6 common area. I'm also currently the president elect
7 (indiscernible) government, and I take transit to school 8 every day.
9 As a regular rider of the seven line, I'm really
10 happy about a lot of the proposed changes to increase 11 frequency. It's the main route I use to get to school, 12 and the morning's always packed with SMC students. You 13 know, these changes would be helpful both for me
14 personally and also for our student body.
15 But, I guess, what I want to talk about a little
16 bit more, some of the proposed changes to the route
17 serving our satellite campuses. As I'm sure you know, 18 SMC students are split between seven different campuses, 19 and a lot of us have classes on different campuses and 20 you have to get between them, which is more straight 21 forward if you have a car. But it can be really
22 difficult if you take transit, especially since, you 23 know, you often have, like, a deadline to get from one 24 campus to another.
25 You know, at one point last year, I had to
37 1 straight up walk between main campus and our Center for 2 Media & Design campus, which took, like, almost an hour 3 each way. You know, this is also part of why I'm really 4 excited by the 44 line. It would make it a lot easier to 5 get between our campuses on Bundy and our main campuses 6 as well.
7 I will say, though, I'm a little bit concerned
8 about some of the changes to the 43 line. The 43 line's 9 the main way our students get between our main campus and 10 our Center for Media & Design campus, which is kind of 11 the hub for all of our media students.
12 The current proposed changes remove service from
13 the 43 line to our main campus, and since the 43 and 16 14 are the only lines which directly connect our main campus 15 to the CMD campus, it will make it a lot more difficult 16 for students to get between the two during peak hours. 17 It could potentially interfere with our class schedules. 18 A lot of the media programs have been slow to
19 move back in person from the outlined format, but
20 throughout the next academic year, we're expecting to 21 have an increase of students with classes on both
22 campuses.
23 I really appreciate all the work to keep
24 frequent service between our main campus and our Center 25 for Media & Design campus either by maintaining 43
38 1 service or increasing the frequency of the 16 during peak 2 hours. I really want to thank all of you for listening 3 to us, and I really appreciate the opportunity to engage 4 with all of you. Thank you.
5 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Thank you. Our next speaker
6 is Jerry Rubin. Jerry, if you wouldn't just mind saying 7 your name, your city of residence, and you have three 8 minutes to make your public comment.
9 MR. JERRY RUBIN: Thank you very, very much. My
10 name is Jerry Rubin, a longtime Santa Monica resident, 11 environmental activist. I'm a member of our Santa Monica 12 Urban Forest Task Force, but I'm just speaking for myself 13 today. And with Earth Day coming on Monday, I'd like to 14 first say I really love the Blue Bus slogan, Go Green, 15 Ride Blue, and I love these earth balls that are on the 16 table right now.
17 In fact, we'd love to invite a representative of
18 Blue Bus to come for our Earth Day event at 5 o'clock at 19 the Miramar Hotel at the Moreton Bay fig tree and you're 20 all invited.
21 I think we have great management of the Blue
22 Bus. I commend all of you for coming here with all your 23 input on how we can make the Blue Bus even better. I've 24 never had a car in my life. I've been riding for
25 decades, and my late wife sold her van after she rode the 39 1 Blue Bus the first time. So, she would love to be here, 2 but anyhow.
3 I think the core of everything are our drivers.
4 In fact, when I was taking the seven bus up Pico to get 5 here, this wonderful driver stopped for someone in a
6 wheelchair, and it was a beautiful rapport that took
7 place, a very kind, and I find that our drivers are
8 exemplary and I really appreciate the unit representation 9 here. And we have the best drivers in the country.
10 I hope we can get bus lanes down Lincoln
11 Boulevard all the way. As far as the debate about rapid 12 consolidating three and seven, I've always found that the 13 rapid doesn't get me there much faster than the local, 14 and on balance, I think it's even more important that we 15 stop at all the stops, and I think that's a good way to 16 go. But I'm not an expert in all that, maybe there's 17 some solution that could be done.
18 I'm glad we have the eighteen for years now.
19 That's something that's really, really appreciated. I 20 ride virtually all the buses. I still can't believe I'm 21 80 years young, but let me tell you, $16 a month for the 22 TAP card to ride unlimited on the Blue Bus, how can you 23 beat that? So, I hope all of us can be ambassadors to 24 get everyone to go out and get on the bus and maybe leave 25 their car at home, at least 15, 20 percent of the time to 40 1 start with. I think we can all do that.
2 I'm glad there's people here from the college.
3 I used to go there, and (indiscernible) and road for the 4 course there. And it's great that students are taking 5 buses there as well. So, all I can say is: I could go 6 into the, all the details about the changes, but I wanted 7 to spend my three minutes just saying how great it is and 8 how lucky we are to have such a great service as Big Blue 9 Bus. Thank you.
10 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Thank you, Jerry.
11 And our next speaker is going to be Amy, and
12 then she will followed by Lisa and Juan. So, Lisa and 13 Juan, if you wouldn't mind making your way closer to the 14 front.
15 Amy, if you can just state your name, your city
16 of residence, and then you have three minutes for your 17 public comment.
18 MS. AMY GOTTSTEIN: Okay. Thank you so much.
19 Hello, everybody. My name's Amy Gottstein. I live on -- 20 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: Into the mic.
21 MS. AMY GOTTSTEIN: Oop. My name's Amy
22 Gottstein. I live just a couple blocks from here on
23 Ocean Park Boulevard and 23rd. So, I'm happy to be here 24 and to contribute.
25 I just have a few notes. It might not go so
41 1 smoothly as far as me describing it, but I want to thank 2 you guys for hearing me out as far as bringing Route 41 3 down to Ocean Park Boulevard. So, I have a compliment 4 about that. Thanks so much for hearing me on that one. 5 Some other things I'm concerned about that don't
6 seem to be discussed is that there's a lot of dead
7 heading. So whether it's a route, let's say, that goes 8 into the Westwood that doesn't carry passengers on their 9 way back to the yard. I don't understand the reason for 10 that, and I believe that they should carry riders for 11 that.
12 For example, even with the proposal for Route 5,
13 it's going to skip a bunch of stops to get to the train 14 station when it doesn't have to. So, I don't really
15 understand the thinking behind that one. Even Route 10, 16 I think we all know that those deadhead each way every 17 day, so that just seems really, really inefficient.
18 My biggest beef is that I feel like riders are
19 set up for failure when they're seeking to transfer
20 because routes are scheduled to meet in intersections at 21 the same time, and we're forced to wait until the
22 subsequent bus comes and that could be anywhere between 23 ten minutes to a half an hour. So, again, when we're 24 talking about efficiency, please, if you could stagger 25 them or find some other way, that would be awesome.
42 1 In the interim, I will beg of you to allow
2 riders to -- drivers, rather, to pick us up when they see 3 us running across the street, and when they see us, like, 4 hailing at them, like, please wait. You know, instead of 5 taking off or even if they've just hit a red light just 6 after the stop. So, please address that. I think it's a 7 really severe problem, and it prevents people from,
8 again, efficiency. So it prevents people from traveling, 9 let's say, to or from work or wherever they need to go, 10 that it just makes their trip that much longer
11 unnecessarily. Thank you.
12 I also recommend, like, we've got Earth Day
13 around the corner, and so one of the things that I'm 14 wishing is that Big Blue Bus would match free ride days 15 with Metro, whether it's Election Day or Earth Day or 16 anything like that, seems fair, fairzies.
17 On New Year's Eve, there's a promotion that
18 there's free rides except the buses stop running before 19 midnight, so that really is nonsensical. So, if you
20 could please maybe operate buses on those kind of nights 21 where people might not want to go home before midnight. 22 That would be really great.
23 Other folks have mentioned, like, lighting and
24 seating, which is, I think, lacking.
25 Let's see. Better communications, like maybe
43 1 through social media or whatever with respect to advanced 2 notice for canceled routes or rerouting. Not everybody 3 is following you, so it would also be helpful if you guys 4 could respond to things on social media. So that would 5 be really helpful.
6 Okay. And a lot of times -- so we talk about
7 timing or, rather, the schedules. Well, it doesn't
8 always work that way because I could stand at 4th and 9 Broadway and watch two No. 1's come out or two No. 7's 10 come out and that is really a disservice to riders when 11 they're both coming out at the same time because either 12 one is early or another is late, but then after that, 13 there's a long delay between subsequent buses.
14 And then also just one last thing -- thank you.
15 If you could remove signage for routes not in service, 16 specifically 41, 42, because at each and every one of 17 those 41, 42 stops, they have schedules. So, while
18 they -- when the 42 was in operation, they did have
19 common stops but not most of them. So please remove
20 those signs. Thanks so much.
21 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Up next, Lisa B.,
22 and then following Lisa will be Juan and Erlinda. If you 23 could please make your way toward the front.
24 Lisa, if could you just say your name, city of
25 residence, and then you'll have three minutes.
44 1 MS. LISA B.: Thank you. Hello, my name is Lisa
2 B., and I'm a resident of Santa Monica. And thanks so 3 much. This is so exciting. They're extending the hours 4 on the -- and this is so wonderful because, you know, all 5 the increasing car traffic is just really getting bad, 6 and I'm really happy that the 14 hours are being
7 extended. Now, it's like 7:20 at night and people are 8 getting off work at, like, maybe 10 o'clock and then they 9 have to go all the way up Venice Boulevard maybe, and 10 transfer down Sepulveda and then go back up again.
11 And then also the earlier hours so that people
12 can go to the airport. And also, like, buses that aren't 13 ridden as often, maybe they can have them not go as
14 often -- as -- frequently, you know, to save energy. 15 Also, I was thinking about having hybrid buses
16 too, and then, let's see, it's really exciting about the 17 cross-town buses on the weekends. I was like, usually, 18 16 ran on the weekend or, you know, the five and the 15 19 and --
20 And also there's a stop, let's say, in front of
21 Campos on Pico, and they moved the stop up from the gas 22 station. But there's no stop number, so you can't call 23 in to see what time -- well, there's the app, but you 24 can't call in to see what time the bus is coming. But 25 anyway, I wanted to make sure there was, like, bus stop 45 1 numbers on the sign.
2 And the bus is so great, the Santa Monica buses
3 are wonderful. I'm so grateful for them, and -- but I 4 have a comment that more than a few times, the bus driver 5 will hard accelerate, and I've almost fallen more than a 6 few times. And I think it's part of the driver's job to 7 kind of, you know, especially with senior citizens, kind 8 of see where they're going before they hard accelerate 9 or, you know. Because they can call and get hurt, then 10 the City will get sued, and the person could get hurt. 11 Anyway, that was just a comment.
12 But I'm just so grateful for the buses. It's
13 really wonderful. Thanks a lot.
14 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you very
15 much, Lisa. And next speaker will be Juan, followed by 16 Erlinda and Barry Adler. So, if you wouldn't mind making 17 your way to the front.
18 Juan, you will have -- if you can just say your
19 first name, last name, city of residence, and then you'll 20 have three minutes to make your comment.
21 MR. JUAN MATUTE: All right. I'm Juan Matute, a
22 resident of Santa Monica. I really appreciate these
23 changes that have been proposed. They're much more user 24 focused and really focused on enhancing value to existing 25 riders.
46 1 The evolution of Blue Plan in 2015 had a lot of
2 aspects that didn't make sense, and I see a lot of those 3 routes and then (indiscernible) changes marked in red on 4 these maps. And I think that's a very promising
5 development of an agency that's more oriented towards its 6 riders' needs than it has been in the past.
7 Jarrett Walker, the transit planner, thinker,
8 recently gave a book talk at UCLA on Thursday and I got 9 to go back to the routes of good service planning and I 10 see of that reflected in this. Of course, you hired
11 Melissa to help do it, so that was, you know, not
12 unexpected.
13 You've heard a few comments from riders about
14 how the system could better serve them. I think those 15 are very important to listen. As part of this new
16 orientation towards riders and away from creating random 17 red lines in the middle of service planning because you 18 don't like what the neighbors are saying, or you're
19 overreacting to what the neighbors are saying about those 20 routes and stops. So this is very promising.
21 One thing that I think Juan in the back
22 mentioned, the need for lighting at stops. One legacy of 23 the previous administration that continues to be somewhat 24 concerning is spending associated transit improvement 25 funds from the federal government on a dog park instead 47 1 of lighting at stops. So, those are decisions that I 2 would expect to be a addressed in the future.
3 Furthermore, I wanted to make a comment kind of
4 like from my perspective. As a researcher and as a
5 member of the State's Transit Transform Task Force
6 regarding fair payment, in Los Angeles County, we're
7 pretty dependent on TAP. There's more and more work
8 that's coming out on the inaccessibility of those types 9 of systems to people who are visually impaired to people 10 who are not banked, and there's an alternative now.
11 The State of California encourages everybody to
12 consider the California Intergrated Travel Projects open 13 loop fair payment system that turns any card that
14 somebody has that's contactless EMV payments into a
15 payment card for transit. And there are cards that meet 16 the needs of visually impaired people. There are cards 17 that meet the needs of unbanked people and to try to go 18 for transit and a lot of contract modifications to keep 19 up with the accessibility improvements and the global 20 payment system is a losing proposition over time.
21 So, I strongly would encourage this agency to be
22 considering moving towards open loop fair payment with an 23 equity -- from an equity lens and making transit not only 24 accessible to people who use it now but people who might 25 want to use it in the future. Those are my comments. 48 1 Thank you.
2 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you so much
3 Juan. Our next comment will be from Erlinda. If you can 4 say your name and your city of residence, and for this 5 comment we're going to have our interpreter, Diana,
6 translate the comment into English. So, if you guys
7 could --
8 MS. ERLINDA VALLE: Good morning. I've been
9 using the Big Blue Bus for 20 years, and so many things 10 happened. I'm Erlinda Valle, and I live in Santa Monica. 11 I'm a resident from here. I've been using the Big Blue 12 Bus for 20 years.
13 There are some bus drivers that are very kind
14 and that are very attentive and some are not. They make 15 you get off right away, immediately, very fast, and
16 sometimes we cannot get off fast.
17 Sometimes I see students that are -- they get
18 very anxious because they are waiting for their bus. I 19 would like for the schedule for the bus for the students 20 to be more constant because before they would go by
21 faster and not now. They take a long time now.
22 I travel a lot on 43 and 41 and then the 41
23 sometimes doesn't pass anymore and then all of us ladies 24 that are waiting, that just got off work, we are waiting 25 there. Some days the bus doesn't even go by anymore, and 49 1 we're just stranded up there. I would like it if it 2 would go by more constantly.
3 The surroundings were from the schools. I
4 travel a lot on the bus, and I see the way people move 5 around. I also acknowledge, and I am going to apologize 6 because sometimes us people, we are rude with the bus 7 drivers, and I am apologizing for that. Also, I am very 8 thankful because some bus drivers are very patient, and 9 they wait for me to get on. And some don't, and then
10 some just leave me stranded there, but --
11 The truth, the service before was better than
12 what it is now. The bus would go by constantly. The bus 13 drivers were more patient with us. I hope this improves. 14 Thank you very much.
15 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. The next speaker
16 we have is Barry Adler followed by Sirinya Matute. If 17 you wouldn't mind making your way to the front. After 18 this, I don't have any other speaker cards, so if you did 19 want to make a verbal comment, please wave down one of 20 our staff members. Allison here in the light blue, and 21 she'll get you a speaker card.
22 Barry if you can just say your name and city of
23 residence for the record, and then you will have three 24 minutes to make your comment.
25 MR. BARRY ADLER: Good morning. My name is
50 1 Barry Adler. I had a few comments. I'm also from Santa 2 Monica.
3 I think the Big Blue Bus does a great job out of
4 all the local bus services. I think the bus service here 5 is the cleanest and nicest and friendliest.
6 The No. 3 Blue Bus to the airport is really
7 terrific. You can catch a plane. You know, it's a
8 lifesaver in doing so.
9 However, I think there are some things that they
10 should add to the No. 3 line. You got -- SoFi Stadium 11 has opened up. Intuit Dome has opened up. You also got 12 the LA Forum. You got the nearby K Line. I think it
13 would be a nice idea if they have some sort of shuttle 14 service that runs to those venues, you know, where it 15 might be able to stop at the Lincoln Manchester Sepulveda 16 stop, pick up people there at the Lot C stop, and that 17 would be a very helpful thing.
18 I also think that the Green Transit app is very
19 good. However, there are some gaps in it, so I think it 20 might not be a bad idea if the Big Blue Bus has their own 21 transit app, and they also add more scheduled displays on 22 additional stops.
23 Also, I think the MODE program is a very good
24 program. I go to UCLA a lot for medical care. I also 25 think it would be a nice idea if the MODE program adds 51 1 service to Cedars-Sinai Hospital because there's a lot of 2 people that can't get the doctors that they need at UCLA, 3 they can get them at Cedars. So, that would be a nice 4 idea too.
5 Let me see what else I have here. I also think
6 it would be nice if you could load up the MODE card at 7 the transit station. You know, you take your MODE card, 8 you could put -- add money to it. For some reason, you 9 can't add it with the MODE card for MODE transportation 10 service, but that would be a nice idea too.
11 Let me see what else I have here. And, you
12 know, I think it would be a good idea if the bus drivers 13 are a little more patient. Somebody's running across the 14 street and waving to the bus driver and they establish 15 eye contact, I think the bus driver ought to stop.
16 Sometimes they don't. Sometimes they do, but that would 17 be nice. All right. Thank you very much.
18 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. Thank you very
19 much, Barry. We have our last speaker, and I apologize 20 if I pronounced the name wrong, Sirinya. If you wouldn't 21 mind saying your first and last name, city of residence, 22 and then you'll have three minutes to make your public 23 comment.
24 MS. SIRINYA MATUTE: All righty, everybody. My
25 name is Sirinya Matute. I'm a residence of Santa Monica. 52 1 Major fan of the agency, used to work here, love BBB so 2 much that my wedding cake was of a Big Blue Bus.
3 So, these days, I'm a regular rider of the Rapid
4 10. Love the Rapid 10. I guess I'm one of 95 people who 5 ride it on average, I'm sorry. But anyway, the Rapid 10, 6 just want to voice support for not making any changes to 7 it, at least until the opening or the -- the opening of 8 the D Line to the VA.
9 The Rapid 10's a special place. Again, with
10 only 95 of us, I guess; about three runs in the morning 11 and three runs in afternoon. The Rapid 10 is faster for 12 me, personally, than taking the E Line, but I do
13 appreciate having the E Line as a backup because there 14 are occasions in which the Rapid 10 is running really 15 behind schedule. But at least I know this because the 16 agency has real-time information, so, again, thank you 17 for that. It's just a lot faster. For me, door to door, 18 it's like 42 minutes, so I'm just really, really thankful 19 for that.
20 And then also I was very pleased to see that
21 there will be weekend service again on the Route 41. 22 Before it used be kinda, like, okay. We want to go to 23 the pool. Well, it's a good thing we have protected bike 24 lanes because (indiscernible) this now. I'm really in 25 support of that but also really excited to see that
53 1 there's a weekend service on 41 and 16. Sixteen's a 2 great way to get fast now.
3 So, overall, just think -- really excited about
4 the recommendations for the COA, I think. You heard from 5 my husband who had comments about open loop contactless 6 fair payments and some of the bus stops.
7 I will say that I'm really supportive of the
8 agency's effort to try to keep my local bus stop clean 9 because it keeps getting trashed by people who don't use 10 it. So anyway, great job. Thank you so much, and good 11 luck with everything. Bye.
12 MR. JOSH FRANCIS: All right. And that
13 concludes our public comments. If you do have a public 14 comment you wanted to make, we still have time. So,
15 please wave us down. But if not, we'll break back into 16 our open house.
17 If you do have a public comment that you make
18 following a conversation, please come and find me, and we 19 can record that public comment with our court reporter 20 over here. So if you would like to make that comment 21 just to the court reporter, you can do that, just wave me 22 down so I can facilitate that.
23 But other than that, thank you, everyone, so
24 much for coming. We will be here until noon, as this is 25 a public hearing, so our staff will be here to answer any 54 1 questions.
2 And if you haven't, we could encourage you to
3 take our survey. That survey has questions pertaining to 4 each of these draft recommendations. So please, if you 5 haven't already, we have some tablets in the back, and I 6 think our staff was handing out some paper surveys. So, 7 we would really appreciate that feedback.
8 On behalf of the entire team here, we would just
9 like to thank all of you for coming out this Saturday 10 morning. We know that Saturday mornings you have --
11 people have lots going on. So, we really appreciate you 12 making time for this.
13 Again, just ask staff if you have any questions
14 that didn't get answered during the presentation. We'll 15 be more than happy to address those. Thank you.
16 17 (Presentation concluded.)
18 19
20 21
22 23
24 25
55 1 CERTIFICATE
2 OF
3 CERTIFIED SHORTHAND REPORTER
4 * * * *
5 6
7 8 The undersigned Certified Shorthand Reporter of
9 the State of California does hereby certify:
10 That the foregoing meeting was taken before me
11 at the time and place therein set forth.
12 That the statements made at the time of the
13 meeting were recorded stenographically by me and were 14 thereafter transcribed, and, therefore, said transcript 15 being a true and correct copy of the meeting thereof. 16 In witness whereof, I have subscribed my name,
17 this date: April 28, 2024.
18 19
20 21
22 · · · _______________________
Katherine Thomas
23 24
25 Appendix F
Appendix F.1
Draft Recommendations Survey
Results
!"#$
%
&
'()
*
%
"
+
,-.
/
-0
1
02
,"#
+ " -
.
+
+
3 3"
+
+
+
+
3
.
"
4()
55
5
*635
5
" 20
65
5
17#7()
) 1"#
5
5
& (
8(
.
+ " )
" (
9
!
" #
$%
& '
(
"#
!
)
!
"*
+
,'%-
.
%/
% /
012
3
"4
$ %
%
'
%
/
&%%
&
5
%
"* "422%
'+
%
6
%
%
"4"*6
7
"8
%/
9
1
:;
( %
;
<
Appendix G
Appendix G.1
Public Comments
66 Alfredo Torales
From:
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2024 8:00 AM
To: BrighterBlue
Subject: Big Blue Bus improvements
Hello, I have attended the virtual workshop a few days ago, and I have some key points how I would like to improve Big Blue Bus. I have been riding BBB since I was a kid and I had always love riding the bus long before the Expo (now E) line came into Santa Monica. It has seemed most of a convivence in its early years. But today in recent years as we're coming out of COVID and into recovery, most of the busses I travel nowadays are becoming unreliable in terms of scheduling and timing between transferring from the E line to the busses downtown or going to SMC. I have many improvements to share that is something needed to take into consideration.
NEEDS BIG IMPROVEMENTS ON LINE 9. I had living nearby 4th/Montana area ever since I was born and long before the scooters/e-bike share came along, I had always take the Line 9 to and from the E Line at DTSM to where I live near 4th/Montana. However when I come back from riding on the E line from DTLA or anywhere in the LA County region, there has been a ongoing problem of the timing when it comes to transferring to the Line 9 at a bus stop nearby. When I miss a bus on weekdays, I would have to wait as long as 20 minutes off-peak, and gets worse on weekends as if I miss the line 9 bus after getting off the train, I would have to wait as long as 30-40 minutes for BOTH Line 9 and 18 at the 4th/Colorado stop. That is absolutely unacceptable when it comes to waiting so long just to get home at 4th/Montana. What I would wish to see is a 12-15 minute headways for Line 9 so I can get home easy without having to take a e-scooter/e-bike which you'd have to rely on TAP like funds to use these things when there are NONE nearby the station. And the Circuit free ride service, can get PAINSTAKENLY BUSY during rush-hours as well as weekends when it tends to have the highest demand with little to no extra drivers available.
PLEASE add more service on Line 9 to BOTH weekday and 12-minute headways on WEEKENDS so I can efficiently transfer from the E Line at DTSM back home to 4th/Montana. What I would also wish to have is if you restore the old Line 4 service to only go as far as San Vicente/Gorman as you used to have it in service many years ago until about a month or two after the Expo line opened in May 2016, Line 4 has officially discontinued, so I would love to see the Line 4 return so I can easily use the Line 4 or 9 service from DTSM to 4th/Montana.
MORE SERVICE ON R10 MAYBE A NEW E10 SERVICE. Back when I was a kid, I always had love taking Line 10 (now called Rapid 10) from Santa Monica to Union Station in DTLA, now with the Expo line opened, it had dramatically reduced service in recent years. Now, fast forward to this year, now you saw the news as now there's crime on the rise on Metro rail lines even now with the Regional Connector opened in June 2023. I thought with that, it'd be more convenient and safer. However it takes even longer to even get from Union Station to get to Santa Monica as I had to get on the A line from Union Station and transfer to the E line at Little Tokyo/Arts District Station and depending on any delays or how crowded it is during rush-hour or on weekend events, it can take even more longer. There is the ability to get on a BBB R10 from Union Station back to Santa Monica, but there are only 3 times coming to Union Station very early in the morning, and 3 times from Union Station and back to SM on the rush hour times. I would love to see MORE R10 service in the mid-day hours and as well as restoring WEEKEND service from Union Station back to Santa Monica. I would also wish you have a storage space near Union Station to have the busses ready to start from Union Station rather than having to leave later than 2 or 3pm which are the absolute 67 WORST times on the freeway. I would also love to see a return of the Pastsoras Bus Plaza stop on the other side of Union Station. Especially if I get off from a Metrolink/Amtrak train and it drops off way on the other side of the station and takes 3-5 minutes to walk over to the OTHER SIDE to Alameda/Los Angeles where the bus stop is. PLEASE work with LA Metro to bring the Pastasoras Bus Plaza stop back. I would also wish you'd consider starting a Express 10 Service like you did with the discontinued Express 7 with non-stop service from Union Station back into Santa Monica on rush-hour times too.
RESTORE LINE 44 WITH SMC SHUTTLE SERVICE. Many years ago, you used to have Line 44 running between the SMC Main Campus and SMC Bundy Campus along Ocean Park Blvd. Then you partially restored it in 2022 but only for a month or two then you suspended the line due to a driver shortage.
Today, there are so many SMC satellite campuses including a NEW Malibu campus that just opened not too long ago, I would love to see the 44 return to service from 17th St/SMC, to the SMC Main Campus, to Bundy Campus.
There are all the suggestions I have so far. Please take those into consideration. Thank you and I will look forward to the future of the BBB service with more improvements. ~Michael Harris
69 Line does not serve Lincoln Bl, nor its Several Shopping Centers Between Rose & California.
The 18 does not serve Fully on Rose Ave in Venice, ony a Very Short section on Rose.
I understand there is a Turning Issue for S/B Lincoln to W/B California, the S/B 18, could use Milwood S/O California to N/B Oakwood to W/B California.
Also Eliminate Service on 4th St. & 7th Ave in S.M. & Venice, Due to BBB using a Mixture of 30 Foot & 42 Foot Busses on this Route, it should by 30 Foot only Busses.
& Should be Taking over Metro 108 Service W/O Lincoln in Marina Del Rey.
The Problem with BBB Staff is that they don't really listen to the Public & do what they want to do & Bypass certain Venues & there's More Issues, but Time Limitations won't let me Discuss the Screwups & Leftouts the BBB Created with Half of it Bus Routes.
When the Public Hearings Happen W/BBB I will Complaining about it.
Thank you...
Wayne Wright
72 73
74 75
The 9 is always jam packed too, whenever I ride it. I know there’s not really a way to run 60-footers on the main route of the 9 because of the narrow and winding streets, but perhaps increasing the service frequency. Although it is already pretty good, I’ve been passed up every time I’ve tried to ride the 9 and had to wait for the next one because the operator wouldn’t let me on their bus because it was so full.
Another alternative is perhaps running a rapid 9 service (similar to the Pali Express but more regular & frequent and hitting more stops), which wouldn’t need to run during the middle of the day, but could run along PCH and enable the use of 60-footers, and just stop at the Metro station in downtown Santa Monica, the California incline, PCH & Channel, and then complete a limited stop run through the rest of the 9’s regular route to Palisades.
Lastly, I know this may be hard to implement but it is very important for safety and quality of life. I have noticed a large increase in the amount of people smoking or vaping on the bus and it’s been disgusting. I know it’s technically not allowed, but the drivers can only do so much and sometimes they won’t see it, especially since most of the offenders will sit in the back. Therefore I suggest and request that BBB implement sensors/detectors that will catch and subsequently thwart people smoking or vaping on the bus. It makes the experience really uncomfortable for everyone around, and historically this was only an issue on Metro buses but now it’s becoming an issue on BBB. The amount of offenses have been increasing over time and I worry that it will only get worse if something isn’t done.
I do apologize for the long email and I hope my feedback is helpful. Thank you so much for the opportunity to help shape this public service for the next few years! All of us riders appreciate the opportunity to have our voices heard and meet the people making the system work.
Luka Peharda
This message is intended solely for the use of the addressee(s) and may be privileged and confidential. If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify the sender and delete all copies of this email message along with all attachments. Thank you.
79 very quick trip home on a nearly empty bus that quickly passes the lead bus. Often, however, if the driver of that second bus knows that another bus has just been there and decides not to stop.
This situation has been recurrent since the summer of 2023 and is extremely frustrating. When multiple #1 buses leave the Hilgard terminal at the same time, the pair of buses effectively reduces the frequency of service of this bus line by half during rush hour.
Thank you for taking the time to read this (very long!) description of these scheduling issues. I look forward to your response.
Laila Sathe
On Thu, Feb 29, 2024 at 2:33 PM Alfredo Torales <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi Laila,
I’m the manager of planning at Big Blue Bus and I was forwarded your concerns noted below. Sorry about this experience.
I’d like to look into it and see if we can fix any scheduling-related reasons causing these issues. But I’d appreciated if you could provide me with a little more information:
Did this most recent incident occur on Weds, Feb 28th? If so, about what time?
Is the stop you are referring to LeConte and Tiverton?
This and any additional detail would be very much appreciated. Thanks,
Alfredo Torales
Big Blue Bus
From: 311 Customer Service <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, February 29, 2024 9:39 AM
To: Alfredo Torales <[email protected]>
Subject: A new case has been assigned to you
80 Hello -
A new case has been assigned to you and needs your attention.
Case Type: Bus Pass Up
Description: THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MONTHS. three #1 busses will arrive simultaneously.
Today, at the THIRD STOP ON THE ROUTE, the bus was ENTIRELY full. This is because multiple drivers leave at the same time from the hub on Hilgard Ave. Today, two busses blew right past the stop because they assumed that everyone would be boarding the first #1 bus. However the first #1 bus was COMPLETELY FULL with no standing room
Either. And now I just got on another bus because there was a passenger who refused to get off the full #1 (that bus never even got to leave the stop) and a FIFTH #1 bus blew right past the stop because everyone was getting on the replacement bus. This is absolutely ridiculous and effectively reduces the service to 30% of what it should be since these busses are coming back to back to back and then blowing past the stop
Location:
86 89
Alfredo Torales
From: Glenn Newman
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 9:27 AM
To: BrighterBlue
Cc: Glenn Newman
Subject: Bus route
EXTERNAL
R7 Expand to Vermont StaƟon
Expand or create Route To Robertson Beverly center and the Grove on 3rd Add A R14 Going to Culver City fox Mall Shopping Center Make Route 19 Along PCH Santa Monica Washington/fairfax transit Center Make Route 20 To Hollywood
Sent from my iPhone
93 Alfredo Torales
From: BrighterBlue
Sent: Monday, January 8, 2024 1:08 PM
To: Kathy Knight
Cc: BrighterBlue
Subject: RE: Question
Hello, thank you for your email. Can you be more specific about which meeƟng you are asking about? Thanks,
Alfredo Torales
Manager, Transit Planning and Performance City of Santa Monica, Big Blue Bus -----Original Message-----
From: Kathy Knight
Sent: Thursday, January 4, 2024 3:05 PM
To: BrighterBlue <[email protected]>
Subject: QuesƟon
EXTERNAL
Where is this meeƟng happening, or is it on a zoom format? 94 Alfredo Torales
From: Kathy Knight
Sent: Thursday, January 4, 2024 3:05 PM
To: BrighterBlue
Subject: Question
EXTERNAL
Where is this meeƟng happening, or is it on a zoom format?
96 PTO: I will be on PTO from 12/19-12/26
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2023 11:01 AM
To
EXTERNAL EMAIL
Hi all,
Hope you’re doing well and enjoying the holidays.
Thanks so much for aƩending the GoSaMo Advisory CommiƩee MeeƟng last week. We appreciated all your feedback on the TMO updates, Big Blue Bus Comprehensive OperaƟonal Analysis and One Car Challenge.
Please find aƩached -
1. A-Team meeƟng notes
2. A-Team meeƟng slides
Feel free to reach out if you’ve any quesƟons.
See you in the New Year! সহ
Best,
Parama Ghosh Roy
Executive Director
GoSaMo Transportation Management Organization
2 PROHIBIT BUSES OPERATING SAME ROUTES FROM DEPARTING THE BBB YARD AT THE SAME TIME, whether one (or more) is either early or late. For example, do not allow two Rte 7 (or any other) buses to depart the yard/begin route at the same time. Its a disservice to riders because it creates large time gaps between arrivals, often doubling rider wait time (40+ mins apart vs 20 mins apart) or more.
IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS regarding delayed or cancelled trips, construction related delays, and temporarily diverted routes whether by social media or Transit app, or both. Metro is very good at this!
CORRECTLY LINK TO SPECIFIC ANNOUNCEMENTS ON THE BBB WEBSITE in social media posts and other public communications (see attachments below). For example, the May 15 post does not link to the Better Blue site. Today’s post (May 22) does not link to the specific announcement about the Transit Store being closed
RESPOND TO COMMUNICATIONS VIA SOCIAL MEDIA in a timely manner. Metro is very good at this!
REMOVE signs for routes not in operation, specifically 41/42 combined signage INSTALL MORE LIGHTING, SEATING, AND REAL-TIME ARRIVAL SIGNS. Bring back benches TRUST DRIVERS when they supply feedback. Respect the experts who can best speak to what’s happening on the road every day
STOP PURCHASING ELECTRIC BUSES until they’re capable of operating a full day. Consequently BBB has required millions of dollars for charging infrastructure, otherwise unnecessary Thank you for considering this input!
Sincerely,
Amy
2 I'm Skeptical that the 5 will be Snipped S/O Century City to Palms E Line & W/O 17th st E Line Station to Downtown S.M.
Recommendations: Continue #5 S/O Century City to Connect with Metro E Line at Palms E Line, Regardless, Even if its Peak Hours, Or Hourly & on Proposed Weekends also. as for Service to Downtown S.M. Reroute to Broadway, instead of Colorado, due to Single Lanes due to E Line W/O 17rth st E Line Station.
Consider Proposed 40 Minute Headways on #5 on Weekends & Holidays, Due to Low Ridership, Continue Proposed M-F 30 Minute Service.
Route 7
Route 7 is a "Hot Mess", Late Busses, Bunching & Bunching with the Rapid 7, the 7 Needs a Major Overhaul...
Recommendations: Operate Local 7, but Truncate half of Trips at Pico/Rimpau Loop during Off Peak & Saturdays.
Monitor Local 7 Trips more closely to prevent Bunching & On Time Performance.
Continue Trips to Wilshire/Western D Line Station, A Must! Rapid 7
Was hoping that the Rapid 7 would Operate in the Future, have an Idea for Route Change to save Rapid 7.
Recommendations: Continue to Operate Rapid 7, either All Day, or Peak Hours, Reroute at La CIenega to Operate N/B Via La Cienega, Via Future Metro D line Station, W/B Beverly, S/B San Vicente, Layover (Counter Clockwise) on San Vicente in front of Cedars Sinai, Leaving Layover continuing S/B on San Vicente back to La Cienega, to Pico.
Rapid 7 could Operate All Day, or Peak Hours.
DO NOT CANCEL RAPID 7 YET! wait till after Full Metro D line is Completed & the Evaluate the Rapid 7 then, but don't Cancel Route.
Express 7
Route was Canceled due to Covid Issues & A Waste of Resources, Nobody Rode ROUTE due to Very Few Stops & Empty Busses that ran on Pico at the at the Time.
Recommendations: think on bringing back Express 7 after Metro's Entire D Line is Finished, but Run to Century City Only from Downtown S.M. to Connect W/Future Century City D Line Station, kind of a Wait & See Attitude.
Route 8
3 No Comments on this Route.
Route 9
Support Extension to Sunset/PCH & other changes.
Recommendations: Consider operating #9 a Counter Clockwise Route, Via W/B Sunset, S/B PCH, N/B Temescal Canyon, back to E/B Sunset.
Metro has a Clockwise Route on its 602 route, BBB could run the #9 in the Opposite Direction, until this Proposed Layover at Sunset & PCH is Really Completed & would like to see this happen between this August & Next February for Counter Clockwise Route for the #9 Rapid 10
Rapid 10 has been Gutted when the Metro E Line was Extended to Santa Monica, i have suggestions for this Route.
Recommendations: on Rapid 10, the Following...
Cap Rapid 10 Trips in Both Directions up to 6 Trips in Both Directions Have a Certain Alternative Route to Serve WLA Transit Center, Via Electric, Washington Back to 10 Freeway, & Continue the other Non Stop Service Between Downtown Santa Monica & Downtown L.A. via 10 Freeway.
Consider 1 or 2 AM W/B & E/B Reverse Trips on Rapid 10 for AM/PM Peak Hours.
Rapid 12
No Comments on this Route.
Route 14
The 14 Service S/B Falls Off by the Time Bus Leaves Washington Stop in Culver City & is Empty by the Time Route 14 gets to Westchester Veterans Metro K Line Station & Leaves Empty, N/B from Inglewood Layover, mainly because Previous Service Development Director Bypassed Westfield Culver City Mall & Howard Hughes Center in Westchester where Riders are, Does Not Even Serve Sepulveda Bl to Connect with Culver City Busses, 6 & Rapid 6, the 14 gets on at the 405 at Jefferson. 14 Needs to Be Overhauled at Southern End.
Recommendations...
Continue 14 on Jefferson to Slauson, to Sepulveda, the 14 Cannot come in & use Culver City Transit Center because of its Small Space & Limited to 6 Slots (Culver City 3, 4, 6, Metro 108, 110, other Culver City Busses which are, Rapid 6 & C.C Local 2 Service on Sepulveda & Slauson, cannot come into Transit 4 Center due to Space & BBB was told this By C.C. Management going back nearly 30 Years ago.), the 14 would Continue South on Sepulveda & Layover at South End of Howard Hughes Center which is not Served by BBB, Along with the Mall.
If not Interested in Expanding to Howard Hughes Center, then Loop Via, Green Valley, Bristol (Layover either on Green Valley, or Bristol) & then Centinela, back to Sepulveda N/B I also Recommend that the 14 be Rerouted to Downtown Inglewood K Line, Via Centinela, Florence in the City of Inglewood & would Connect with Metro 40, 111, 211, 212, 215 & Torrance Transit 10, if Metro gives Go ahead to do so to Run on Centinela.
This would be the Best Alternative & would Need Approval from Metro to Run on Centinela to Downtown Inglewood K Line Station, the Current Layover at Westchester Veterans K Line Is complicated & has to Loop & Poor Connections Between Metro 115 & BBB 14 Leaving Westchester Veterans Station N/B.
This is a Better Idea & could Run All Day to Peak Hours Only, & also Connect to Metro 211/212 & Torrance #10 serving SoFi Stadium & Clippers New Arena at Downtown Inglewood K Line Transit Station.
Route 15
Route 15 really does not go Anywhere, it's like a Shuttle to Nowhere! Could not expand S/O Pico because Culver City Bus Staff under then Former Director Art Ida wanted to Expand its #2 to the Metro Bundy E Line after they Separated the 2 from the #4, in December 2015, but put it on hold due to Funding Issues.
Also BBB Cut Headways & Weekend Holiday Service from the 15, making the Route Less Desirable today.
Recommendations...
The Proposed Headways that BBB is Offering is good, but Route 15 needs to Be Expanded S/B to Santa Monica Airport Campus, Along with Route 44.
Consider Again Expanding 15 at Peak Hours to Getty Museum, or to Bel Air at Sepulveda & Moraga Dr to Connect W/ Metro Rapid 761.
Route 16
Route 16 the Backwoods Route that I Labeled, Last August to 16 was Expanded S/B to Playa Del Rey, Via Westchester, Playa Vista, Via Lincoln Bl, Manchester, Pershing Dr, Via LMU, it's Nice That BBB will Offer Weekend/Holiday Service, but Needs other Minor Changes.
Recommendations...
Run Weekend/Holiday Service, possible look at shortlining at Bundy E Line on Weekends/Holidays & Focusing Service between Bundy E Line & Playa Del Rey.
Eliminate Service on Wade St in Culver City, Run on Washington Bl to Centinela, to better connect with BBB 14 & Shopping Center at Washington Pl. & then back to Venice Bl, Via Venice High, to Walgrove 5 Eliminate Saltair Layover, Modify 16 to Serve University High Direct, which Current 16 does not serve.
Use 30 Foot Busses, instead of 40 Footers, Portions of 16 cannot handle certain Narrow Streets along the Current 16 with the Larger 40 Foot Gillig Busses.
Route 17
Some Changes on the 17...
Recommendations: Consider Eliminating Weekend/Holiday service to UCLA, or just on Sunday & Holidays at the V.A. Since BBB has a FREE LOCAL TRANSFER for BBB Busses on Tap, the 17 could Truncate at the Westwood V.A. on those Days & Connect to the #2 at Westwood V.A. & Future D Line V.A. stop by 2027.
No other Changes on the 17.
Route 18
The 18 is another Backwoods Route & needs change, my suggestions...
Recommendations...
Break Up the 18, Spinoff the Montana portion to Proposed #4 & run that Proposed Spin Off Route from UCLA to Downtown S.M. Via Montana Ave.
The Remainder of the 18 would run from 5th & Arizona South on 4th to Pico, Main St & Rose Ave on Venice, Eliminating the 4th st & 4th Ave in Santa Monica & Venice S/O Pico.
Run on Rose Ave to Lincoln Bl, to bring New Service on Rose Between Main St. & Lincoln Bl.
Eliminate Service to Charter School on 7th Ave in Venice, due to that Section having Low Ridership Reroute Via Pico, Main St, Rose, Lincoln Bl ( to better serve Shopping Venues between Rose & California & Better Connections to the #3 on Lincoln), W/B Milwood Ave to Oakwood Av (Due to Turning issues for W/B 18 Busses from S/B Lincoln Bl to W/B California, E/B on California between Oakwood & Lincoln would not be Affected) to regular Route towards Marina Del Rey.
Expand to Marina Del Rey & Del Rey Section of L.A, pending Negotiations W/Metro on taking over the Western Leg of its Line 108, Via Admiralty Way, & Loop Via Lincoln, Maxella, Glencoe & Layover on Glencoe.
use 30 Foot Smaller Busses, not 40 Footers on Narrow Streets W/Current 18 Route Today.
Route 41
No Comments on this Route.
Route 42 (Counter Clockwise)
6 Was hoping that the 42 could Operate Peak Hour Only, but it wont.
Route 43
Route 43 needs to run 5 to 6 Days a Week & needs All Day Service On Route & Expanded to Serve Ocean Ave & San Vicente Bl W/O 4th St.
Recommendations...
Run 43 30 Peak, 40/60 Off Peak.
Expand to Downtown S.M. Via San Vicente, Ocean & Wherever in Downtown S.M. to Layover.
Run Service possible on Saturday.
Route 44
No Comments on this Route.
& this Concludes my Comments, thank you for letting me include them...
Wayne Wright
10 Regards,
Dave
David J. Karwaski [he/him]
Director, Mobility Planning & Traffic Systems
UCLA Transportation
555 Westwood Plaza, Ste 100
Los Angeles CA 90095
310-405-2877 (c)
From: Dr Michael Cahn <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2024 12:24 AM
To: [email protected]; Karwaski, David <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Shoup, Don <[email protected]>; Matute, Juan <[email protected]>; Manville, Mike <[email protected]> Subject: The Reign of Automobility in Los Angeles and the naming of UCLA Bus Stops
Dear Big Blue Bus, dear UCLA Mobility Planning & Traffic Systems
I understand you are considering changes to the BBB system, including changes to the bus stops on the UCLA campus.
According to these plans, the No 18 bus will terminate at a new station called "Parking Structure No 2".
Those who live within the car-centric environment that is UCLA may not appreciate the deeper significance of this terminology. Yes: On this campus we name our bus stops after the storage spaces we have built for cars. And our main roadway we call a drive, Charles E Young Drive. The priorities inscribed deeply into our campus map are pretty transparent. But are these still our priorities?
I suggest the campus develops a better and more appropriate system of naming UCLA bus stops.
Because for those of us who do use the bus, the numbered parking structures are an entirely unknown world that raises only questions. Numbered parking structures may be convenient for drivers, for users of transit, they mean nothing.
11 An additional reason that "Parking Structure No 2" is an inappropriate name has to do with the bus stop named "Hilgard Ave". The "Hilgard Ave" stop is closely adjacent to the same parking structure that bears the number 2. Yes, our parking structures are big, so big that they throw their shadow over two bus stops. That makes the proposed name insufficiently distinctive and will lead to confusion.
Names need to be distinctive. They should also express our priorities. "Parking Structure No 2" fails this test. Would renaming it "Donald Shoup Parking Structure" help? The bus stop could perhaps then be called "Donald Shoup Curb." Or not.
Let's see some serious Mobility Planning & Traffic Systems work in action, and move this campus away from its unconscious entanglement in motordom, as Big Blue Bus improves its service
--
Dr Michael Cahn
Secretary, UCLA Bicycle Academy
--
Dr Michael Cahn
14 There is a clear focus on serving college students, which is great. But Santa Monica also has many grade school students who can benefit from better service, especially to SaMoHi. I recommend for you to consider adding trippers on lines serving the high school specifically timed to school start and end times.
I recommend removing underutilized stops to increase stop spacing, which would further improve frequencies and speeds.
I recommend adding bus lanes or queue jumps, as well as signal priority wherever possible.
Within city limits this would mean giving priority to buses at congestion points such as on Pico and Ocean Park near the eastern city border at Centinela. Outside of the city, I recommend working with the City of LA to implement bus lanes and signal priority on Pico, Bundy, Westwood, and other major Westside transit corridors.
I recommend implementing more consistent and precise dispatching at terminals to ensure operators depart on schedule.
On corridors where multiple routes run and most customers are indifferent towards which bus to take (for example, UCLA students heading to the E Line on Westwood), please make sure that the bus arrivals alternate with even headways where possible.
Specific comments by route:
Route 5: I haven't noticed any other east-west routes that were realigned to terminate at a future D Line station. Which is why I think either Route 5 should keep the western route portion to Downtown Santa Monica, or Route 7 should be shortened to end at a new D Line station instead of staying on to Wilshire/Western.
No one going from Downtown SM to Downtown LA on the E Line, with 8 minute headways, will transfer to Route 5, with 30 minute headways, just to transfer to the subway. They will stay on the E Line. So I think Route 5 ridership will be compromised by making it a "stub" on an already relatively light-ridership Olympic corridor.
Route 14: The text describes this route as terminating at the future D Line station, but the map shows a blue segment that extends it to Sunset Blvd. I think that segment should be removed.
Route 15: I propose to eliminate this route and instead have every other Route 14 bus extend to Brentwood Village.
Route 16: I recommend routing this line down Stewart (to Pico or Ocean Park) instead of Cloverfield. The eastern half of Sunset Park has no north-south transit service as a result of it being cut off by the airport on the south side and the freeway on the north side. Offering at least minimal coverage on Stewart/28th would help immensely in this regard.
Route 41: I don't see the point of this route. Why not just extend Route 44 four blocks north? Route 44: I really support the restoration of this route as it will provide an alternative to the 8 in my neighborhood.
Thanks,
15 Boris Suchkov
--
“We take cars for granted and we’re like, yeah, that’s just how you get around. But if you change your perspective and realize what’s really going on, you realize they wreck everything. Like, cars wreck everything. They wreck cities. They wreck your wallet, your finances. They wreck your family. They kill you. They make you fat. They cost ten times more to make paths and roads for than the alternative of putting stuff closer together and having bikes and walking and stuff. Cars just wreck everything.” -Mr. Money Mustache
--
“We take cars for granted and we’re like, yeah, that’s just how you get around. But if you change your perspective and realize what’s really going on, you realize they wreck everything. Like, cars wreck everything. They wreck cities. They wreck your wallet, your finances. They wreck your family. They kill you. They make you fat. They cost ten times more to make paths and roads for than the alternative of putting stuff closer together and having bikes and walking and stuff. Cars just wreck everything.” -Mr. Money Mustache
17 Route 14: The text describes this route as terminating at the future D Line station, but the map shows a blue segment that extends it to Sunset Blvd. I think that segment should be removed.
Route 15: I propose to eliminate this route and instead have every other Route 14 bus extend to Brentwood Village.
Route 16: I recommend routing this line down Stewart (to Pico or Ocean Park) instead of Cloverfield. The eastern half of Sunset Park has no north-south transit service as a result of it being cut off by the airport on the south side and the freeway on the north side. Offering at least minimal coverage on Stewart/28th would help immensely in this regard.
Route 41: I don't see the point of this route. Why not just extend Route 44 four blocks north? Route 44: I really support the restoration of this route as it will provide an alternative to the 8 in my neighborhood.
Thanks,
Boris Suchkov
--
“We take cars for granted and we’re like, yeah, that’s just how you get around. But if you change your perspective and realize what’s really going on, you realize they wreck everything. Like, cars wreck everything. They wreck cities. They wreck your wallet, your finances. They wreck your family. They kill you. They make you fat. They cost ten times more to make paths and roads for than the alternative of putting stuff closer together and having bikes and walking and stuff. Cars just wreck everything.” -Mr. Money Mustache
19 Kent Strumpell
Climate Action Santa Monica Steering Committee
On Apr 18, 2024, at 10:42 AM, wrote:
I had opened this email to respond and say that BBB #18 should be every 15 minutes in the morning, not every 20 minutes. The latest time kids could board this bus at the northeast neighborhood and make it to school by the first bell would be 8am. By doing 15 minute increments they could add a bus.
23 I suggest the campus develops a better and more appropriate system of naming UCLA bus stops. Because for those of us who do use the bus, the numbered parking structures are an entirely unknown world that raises only questions. Numbered parking structures may be convenient for drivers, for users of transit, they mean nothing.
An additional reason that "Parking Structure No 2" is an inappropriate name has to do with the bus stop named "Hilgard Ave". The "Hilgard Ave" stop is closely adjacent to the same parking structure that bears the number
2. Yes, our parking structures are big, so big that they throw their shadow over two bus stops. That makes the proposed name insufficiently distinctive and will lead to confusion.
Names need to be distinctive. They should also express our priorities. "Parking Structure No 2" fails this test.
Would renaming it "Donald Shoup Parking Structure" help? The bus stop could perhaps then be called "Donald Shoup Curb." Or not.
Let's see some serious Mobility Planning & Traffic Systems work in action, and move this campus away from its unconscious entanglement in motordom, as Big Blue Bus improves its service --
Dr Michael Cahn
Secretary, UCLA Bicycle Academy
29 Alfredo Torales
From: Theodoric Huang
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 7:14 PM
To: BrighterBlue
Subject: Transit Planning and development
EXTERNAL
Alfredo ToralesIs the rapid 12 going to increase to even more relieving at peak hour ? What type of buses are going to be used? The rapid 12 get overcrowded during peak hours by standing room only. The rapid 12 might be beƩer used 60 foot arcƟculated buses,
Theodoric Huang
Los Angeles
35 Alfredo Torales
From: Michael Topor
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 3:09 PM
To: BrighterBlue
Subject: Comprehensive Operational Analysis
EXTERNAL
Good aŌernoon.
I'm not sure if I will be able to aƩend tomorrow's public hearing, therefore I am sending my comments herein.
Thank you for giving me (and other riders) an opportunity to express my opinion.
Personally, I used to ride the Big Blue Bus more frequently, but - I stopped doing that.
Because your service has become completely unreliable.
I now drive most of the Ɵme, because you guys have reduced the service into a ridiculously low, poor quality.
I also fully disagree about your proposal to cut Rapid service. Seriously ?! Before, you used to run Rapid #3 and Rapid #7 at much beƩer frequencies.
But now... it's very hard to rely on, because of your recent cuts.
I do not support reducƟon of service, I do not support eliminaƟon of service.
Rapid #3 and Rapid #7 are two Key Corridors - where Rapid service SHOULD BE PRESERVED.
How do you suppose the students will get to/form Santa Monica College - where it takes FOREVER (!) to travel on your line #7. Rapid #7 is much, much beƩer and much faster.
Yes, I support the improvement in services on Local lines (#3 and #7, among others) - but this should be done independently of Rapid lines.
Rapid service should be preserved.
Your current Rapid #7 service frequencies should be improved to 7 - 12 minutes (no 20 minutes!), and your Rapid #3 service frequencies should be improved to 15 - 20 minutes, and seven days a week. (not hourly - and only during limited Ɵmes, as you currently have) It's no wonder why consider Rapid #3 "unpopular" - because people would not be willing to ride a bus that runs only once an hour, or only during certain Ɵme of the day.
So, please preserve both Rapid #3 and Rapid #7 - and please improve service on other lines.
Thank you,
Michael and Kimberly Topor,
West Los Angeles, California
37 things dramatically worse. I urge for the City of Santa Monica do not follow the (failed) Metro's Next Gen plan. As you may be aware, LACMTA has eliminated Rapid lines throughout most of their system, forcing passengers to endure much longer, tedious commutes.
Additionally, the suggested service increases are still insufficient. Sorry, but 15-minute (or even 10- minute) headways are still too infrequent for a large city with such high population! With traffic delays, these 15 minutes of wait-time could easily turn into 20-30 minutes. Since Los Angeles does not (and likely never will!) have a comprehensive Rail network, the least local bus agencies should do -- is to provide sufficient bus service, including Rapid lines. Thus far, all our transit agencies -- including Metro and the Santa Monica BBB -- have failed to do so.
STATEMENT ON RAPID BUS SERVICE:
The proposed removal of the Rapid buses lines #R3 and R7 seems like an act of lunacy, to say the least. It would be a major, irreversible mistake. The current so-called "Poor Performance" was not researched properly -- thus producing inaccurate results. The study has failed to indicate the real reason of "Low Ridership" -- which is extremely poor frequencies. Sorry, but your current 30-60 minute Rapidbus headways are grossly inefficient -- directly resulting in low ridership. If BBB were to run Rapid buses frequently and 7 days as week -- ridership would be guaranteed to skyrocket! But most certainly, the demand for Rapid service has never been "low".
Common sense dictates: commuters prefer quick, uninterrupted rides. On the other hand, experience and statistical data have shown: Rapid-bus commute is 20 - 50% faster than regular buses! Indeed, Rapidbus service was an ingenious idea, pioneered by Metro! Considering the severe lack of a comprehensive Rail network, a Rapid-Bus system is the *least* BBB should implement (along with other agencies, such as Metro and Culver City Bus). All in all, citywide Rapid-bus service needs a second chance. Furthermore, it must be launched with *much* better headways (20-30 minute intervals are grossly insufficient). So, once again: if you truly want Big Blue Bus to become competitive -- and to entice to get people out of their cars, -- you need to establish frequent, consistent Rapid-bus service throughout your major streets, running 7 days a week, and connecting major key destinations. Otherwise, our transit system will continue remaining below-mediocre, slow, and unreliable.
Below are comments on proposed changes for specific bus lines:
Line #3:
SUPPORT Service Increase. 10 minutes on weekdays may be ok, however 5-7 minute headways would be more reasonable, especially during rush hours. On the other hand, 15-minute weekend frequencies are shamefully infrequent. Weekend service should be improved to 10-12 minutes -- particularly midday.
Line #Rapid-3:
STRONGLY OPPOSE the discontinuation of Rapid service. Rapid service should be re-launched with dramatically improved frequencies. See additional comments above.
Line #5:
SUPPORT the improvement in service 7 days a week. But 30-minute intervals are insufficient. Need better frequencies!
Line #7:
38 SUPPORT service improvements. However, 15-minute headways on weekends is shamefully infrequent.
Weekend service should be improved to 10-12 minutes -- particularly midday.
Line #Rapid-7:
STRONGLY OPPOSE the discontinuation of Rapid service. Rapid service should be re-launched with dramatically improved frequencies. See additional comments above.
Line #14:
SUPPORT service improvements. During peak hours, however, service should be much more frequent.
OTHER: Zero Bus-Driver Communication at Transfer Points:
The 21st century is well underway, yet our bus-driver communication seems to be stuck in the 1960's -- particularly, at Transfer points. It happens too frequently -- when a bus arrives at an intersection, and the transferring passengers have no choice but to waive their hand to the bus that has just departed in front of their nose! Shameful, to say the least. It is time to implement a "Radio Communication" method between the buses at transfer points; this should include other agencies (e.g. Metro, Culver City Bus), as well. Again... if you were to run buses frequently -- a missed bus would not be an issue. But in our L.A.
County's notoriously infrequent service, your patrons could lose 10 - 20 minutes (on popular routes), or 40 - 60 (on other corridors). Which is unacceptable. An arriving and departing bus operators should communicate with each other, to avoid passengers missing the bus. A few extra minutes of waiting by a departing bus -- is nothing comparing to passengers missing the bus completely! Additionally, bus operators must be trained to *wait* for transferring passengers -- when an arrived bus is spotted, regardless of a "Radio Communication System" implementation.
Thank you for reviewing the suggestions. I am hopeful, your staff will take these seriously, as the upcoming schedule changes will affect your ridership and overall Big Blue Bus' success. I am ready to contribute my knowledge and offer help -- to make the Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus a better system for all!
Best regards to you and your team,
--
Alek Friedman
TRANSPORTATION ADVOCATE
Metro, BBB Patron ∙ Volunteer
Urban Growth ∙ Sustainability
.com
www.RusInterpreting.com
LinkedIn.com/in/FriedmanAlexander
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
This information, with any attachments, is confidential and is intended strictly for the individual or entity addressed herein. Any unauthorized review, dissemination, distribution, disclosure, copying, or other use of this information is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, and/or if you received this e-mail in error, please reply to the sender immediately, and delete this material, including any attachments, from your computer. Thank you. 39 Alfredo Torales
From: Geoff Keith
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 9:13 AM
To: BrighterBlue
Subject: BBB Feedback
EXTERNAL
I request that you conƟnue to keep the cash payment opƟon.
It is easier for seniors to use this method of payment.
Thanks,
G Keith
43 I regret that we missed the April to May comment period mentioned in the email I received today. Our task force has some important, specific comments that we hope would be taken into consideration for the draft improvements that you plan to present to City Council in June.
Would it be possible for our task force to submit comments for inclusion before it is too late?
Thank you,
Kent Strumpell
Kent Strumpell
Co-chair
Climate Action Santa Monica Steering Committee
50 4. Bus security - none, but just the other day I saw 2 young security people on the bus but they were pretty much looking at their phones for most of the time I was on the bus. The one in the back was pretty clueless and, while on his phone, was blocking the side door making it hard for riders to exit. Security could be MUCH better and is non-existent except for that one ride.
Thanks for listening and one final suggestion, I highly suggest that the top people in BBB management go out and ride the buses themselves for a number of days on multiple bus lines, you'll quickly learn and see what the issues are.
Sincerely,
Trent Thixton
Trent Thixton
53 Alfredo Torales
From: Ingrid Richards
Sent: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 8:12 AM
To: BrighterBlue
Subject: This is my response page
EXTERNAL
Sent from my iPhone
58 Alfredo Torales
From: Jean Fleet <f
Sent: Friday, April 5, 2024 5:03 AM
To: BrighterBlue
Subject: Zoom
EXTERNAL
Nothing is coming up to register for the hearing April 16th, completely blank screen.
Sent from my iPad
60 Believe it or not, many young people REFUSE to get up despite the signage above their heads saying those front seats are for seniors and disabled.
REMOVE THE SIGNS if there’s no enforcement!!!
Don’t encourage seniors to ride BBB if no enforcement!! 3 - HELP when ppl, esp Seniors, have shopping carts. They never ever never lower the ramp. Some of us are carrying heavy food, books, other items. We need to LIFT our little carts up the steps. They are HEAVY.
Makes it VERY unsafe for seniors and others with luggage, shopping carts, or mobility issues. Really rude and insensitive!!!
Breaking it into two shopping trips is unreasonable.
Farmer’s markets or other events only happen that day. Or items might be gone next day. It’s now or never.
Drivers and your schedules leave little to no time to allow us to get INTO the bus and pay and sit before it’s off and running!
What happens when I simply CANNOT lift the cart??
When I’m home, I take a few items upstairs, then come back for more. I put things into canvas bags while shopping, so I grab one or more, depending upon weight and bulk, and to up and down the stairs to my home. I cannot do that on the bus!!
4 - Friendlier drivers who know the names of the stops and approximately location (a few blocks vs a few miles).
5 - March 20, around 3:30 PM, going west from Pico and Fairfax was a wild ride! Bumpy. Driver put pedal to the metal, and we’d fly down Pico, then come to an abrupt stop due to a red light.
Those repeated harsh STOPS meant we had to hold on for dear life cos otherwise kinetic energy propelled us forward.
We don’t wear seat belts, so it caused some concern and problems.
Really uncomfortable and unsafe. We got home quickly. But shaken. I was never so glad as to get OFF a bus. Whoa!!
6 - LATER bus rides from UCLA west!!! Santa Monica promotes living here for UCLA students but the BBB #8 bus at Westwood and Wilshire stops around 10 pm or so.
There are FREE, rare films and art events at the Hammer that end later than 10 PM or so. It should run LONGER like the PICO #7 bus.
61 6 - Why such expensive paper for the flyers?
Why can’t you all use EMAIL to SM residents? I ride the bus more often than go to library.
I’m sure MANY of your frequent bus riders have NO idea you are holding these public events. 7 - Just a few topics that come to mind that often cause me NOT to leave home, NOT to take the bus. I really need to be motivated.
But it CAUSES GREAT ANXIETY at times between the weather, fast bus drivers, and weight in my cart. 8 - You asked. I told.
Would be really reassuring to the public that our input is really valued IF we ever saw improvements.
Calling and writing to BBB has resulted in repeated wastes of time by the public.
Frustrating waste of time to go to a meeting and speak about topics the City says they want our input.
We talked about sidewalks. Good displays and lots of words. No improvements then. Worse now.
Sidewalks now more dangerous thanks to scooters.
Various requests — at a big public display meeting — for more accessible public library meeting rooms which mostly lie empty. Nope.
Doesn’t matter what the public says … our input always disregarded.
Please surprise me and make some improvements based on our input. Or next time, I’ll save an hour of my life thinking and writing this. I have a lot of other cool things I could be doing.
Thank you,
Jenny Lens, MFA
64 Alfredo Torales
From: Jonathan Osborn
Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2024 1:49 PM
To: BrighterBlue
Subject: Feedback on BIG Blue Bus plans
EXTERNAL
I am a 24-year resident of Santa Monica.
North-South Transit Service between Santa Monica College main Campus, the E Line StaƟons at 17th/SMC & Bergamot and areas North of Arizona.
I live a block and a half North of Wilshire on 18th Street. I used to ride the bus along 20th
2 Line 2
Please Maintain the Hilgard Terminal stop because it has bus shelters and restrooms as well.
3 Line 3
Support the recommended changes to end at LAX/Metro Transit Center instead of Aviation/Imperial Stations.
Rapid 3
I strongly oppose cancelling Rapid 3 because if you consolidate with local 3 travel time gets too slow and may miss other connections. Please maintain Rapid 3 service because several people need it to get to the destination faster. Make Rapid 3 run between Downtown Santa Monica and LAX/Metro Transit Center using an all-day weekday service only.
Map of proposed Rapid 3 which was modified to begin service at the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station instead of Aviation/Imperial Station
4 5
Line 5
Support adding back weekend service. Maintain service to Downtown Santa Monica and Palms Station via Motor Ave because there are some safety issues on Metro Rail and people living on Motor Ave need a bus line to get around. Strongly consider making weekday line 5 service from Downtown Santa Monica to Palms Station and weekend service from Downtown Santa Monica to Century City.
Map of Line 5 on the east end of route with weekday service running from Downtown Santa Monica to Palms Station and weekend service from Downtown Santa Monica to Century City Line 7
I strongly oppose cutting service to Beverlywood because people don't want to walk far to the nearest bus line to get around. Please keep the Beverlywood area segment during weekday rush hours that includes the equal number of trips in each direction: 4 AM/PM westbound trips through Beverlywood and 4 AM/PM eastbound trips through Beverlywood
Map of Line 7 in Beverlywood. The dashed line represents the select trips segment which means that the route runs via Beverlywood and the black dots represent the bus stop locations 6 Rapid 7
I strongly oppose cancelling Rapid 7 because if you consolidate with local 7 travel time gets too slow and may miss other connections. Please maintain Rapid 7 service because several people need it to get to the destination faster. Make Rapid 7 run between Downtown Santa Monica and Wilshire/Western Station using an all-day weekday service only and end service at 9pm.
Map of existing Rapid 7
7 8
Express 7
I strongly oppose cancelling Express 7 because if you consolidate with local 7 travel time gets too slow and may miss other connections. Please maintain Express 7 service because several people need it to get to the destination faster. Make Express 7 run between Downtown Santa Monica and Wilshire/Western Station using an all-day weekday service only with an hour frequency running from 6am-8pm.
Map of existing Express 7
9 10
Line 8
Support moving the line to begin at Gateway Plaza in order to run alongside with Rapid 12. Please keep the Ocean Bl segment in Downtown Santa Monica because people want the route closer to the pier.
Map of line 8 on the east end of route(begin service at the Gateway Plaza) Map of line 8 on the west end of the route(maintaining the existing segment in the Downtown Santa Monica area on Ocean Bl)
11 Line 9
Support the recommended changes by extending down to Sunset/PCH. 12 14
Map of proposed Line 42 counterclockwise service. The black dots represent bus stop locations and the x part represent the eliminated segment
Line 43
Line 43 should add a midday service so that this line can run an all-day weekday only service. I support shortening the line from SMC to 26th St/Bergamot Station. I also strongly support extending the line further down on San Vincente Bl to 7th St but where will the bus stop be located at? Currently, the San Vincente/7th bus stop is located before the intersection and so consider extending further down to Downtown Santa Monica ending at City Hall via San Vincente and Ocean. 15 16
If line 43 was extended to San Vicente/7th, then I'm not sure if this line will streamline travel on San Vicente Bl because you have line 9 on San Vicente between 4th and 7th which operates every day, proposed Line 43 on San Vicente between 7th and 26th which runs weekday peak hours only, Line 14 on San Vicente between 26th and Montana which runs weekday school hours only, and Line 18 on San Vicente between Montana and Wilshire which operates every day. This would take at least 3 transfers to go through San Vicente Bl and people who do not have a TAP card would spend too much money on one-way fares and not only that it would not match the right schedule for transfer connections because of this. In order to reduce multiple transfers on San Vicente Bl, consider creating a new bus line with an all day weekday only service that can streamline travel on San Vicente Bl between Downtown Santa Monica and possibly UCLA via Ocean, San Vicente, and Wilshire.
Line 44
Support restarting the route but the line should only focus on 14th St instead of 17th St between Pico and Colorado.
Map of proposed Line 44(colored in gold)
17 18
Map of Proposed Line 44 bus stop locations
20 Map of line 14 on the north end of the route by traveling on Bundy(north of Wilshire), Montana, San Vicente, and Wilshire to end the route at Westwood/VA Hospital Station with bus stop locations. 22 23
Line 15
Support adding back weekend service and going through the Westwood/VA hospital Station. Consider extending weekday only route from Sunset/Barrington to Sepulveda/Moraga via Sunset Bl, Church Ln, Sepulveda Bl. Consider extending route from Expo/Bundy Station to Washington Pl/McLaughlin via McLaughlin.
Map of line 15 weekday only route from Sunset/Barrington to Sepulveda/Moraga 24 Map of line 15 extension from Expo/Bundy Station to Washington/McLaughlin via McLaughlin with the route going through Westwood/VA Hospital Station
25 Line 16
Support the recommended changes by extending line 16 to Westwood/VA hospital Station Line 17
26 Support the recommended changes
Line 18
Support extending the line further south on Via Marina but the route in Marina Del Rey area should go on Via Marina, Pacific, and Washington. Add service to the Hilgard Terminal area during daytime on weekdays between 6:30am and 8pm as well as serving the Charles E. Young/P2 Hub bus stop on weekdays between 8pm and 6:30am and all day on weekends
Map of line 18 in the Marina Del Rey area by going on Via Marina, Pacific, and Washington Map of line 18 in the UCLA area with the Hilgard Terminal stop served on weekdays between 6:30am and 8pm and the Charles E. Young/P2 Hub bus stop on weekdays between 8pm and 6:30am and all day on weekends 27 - REQUEST FOR ACTIONThe North Westwood Neighborhood Council—representing many stakeholders who ride Big Blue Bus and many residents of Santa Monica with work, business, or school in Westwood—strongly opposes certain changes by Big Blue Bus in the Brighter Blue plan, including removal of service to Hilgard Terminal on several routes and the removal of stops at Gayley Avenue/Strathmore Drive on Route 18. While the Council applauds the proposed increases in service to lines serving UCLA and Westwood, eliminating Hilgard Terminal and stops at Gayley/Strathmore would impose a significant negative impact on commuters and students.
Hilgard Terminal has been used for decades as the terminus for several Big Blue Bus lines, and service has been continually cut over the years to appease a vocal minority of residents at the cost of commuters. The current proposal would remove service from one of UCLA’s only sheltered bus stops—that is well located near to several professional schools and buildings with toilet facilities for operators—and move it to a parking lot that has no seating, limited lighting, and poor location. Additionally, the prospect of idling/out-of-service buses at the proposed Parking Structure 2 terminus could negatively impact pedestrian and cyclist safety by reducing visibility at a number of busy intersections and driveways on Charles E Young Dr E. If Hilgard Terminal must be eliminated or faces capacity limitations, McGowen Hall Bus Turnaround is a much better location to terminate some BBB services compared to Parking Structure 2, especially in regards to North Campus access.
Gayley Avenue/Strathmore Drive and Gayley Avenue/Landfair Avenue are important stops on Route 18 that serve the many UCLA students and staff living in the North Village, but will be eliminated by rerouting along Le Conte Avenue. We support consolidating termini on campus, but urge Big Blue Bus to maintain a stop at Gayley/Strathmore and Gayley Avenue/Landfair Avenue by routing via Strathmore Place before continuing on Charles E Young to a terminal on Northeast Campus (McGowan or Hilgard).
We strongly urge Big Blue Bus to reconsider these routings and to restore service to Hilgard Terminal and Gayley Avenue/Strathmore Drive. Big Blue Bus provides a valuable service to the students and residents of our neighborhood, and we hope that our feedback will inform an improved routing through UCLA that continues to serve these critical stops. Outside of these routing changes, the North Westwood Neighborhood Council commends Big Blue Bus for other proposed changes, especially more frequent headways on lines serving UCLA and frequent service to the future D line extension.
The Campus at Playa Vista, Corp.
Sandra Kitashima, Director of Experience
6200 Playa Vista Drive, Playa Vista, CA 90094
https://playavistacompass.com/
1 May 23, 2024
Big Blue Bus
Attn: Alfredo Torales, Transit Planning and Performance 1660 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
[email protected]
RE: Proposed Changes to Big Blue Bus Route 14
Dear Alfredo Torales and Big Blue Bus Brighter Blue team, We are writing this letter during your public comment period for the Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis. We are submitting comments specifically on the proposed changes to Route 14 which aim to discontinue service into Playa Vista.
Playa Vista holds significant importance in the transportation landscape of Los Angeles due to its location and role as a hub for innovation and development. Situated near major thoroughfares and adjacent to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Playa Vista serves as a critical junction for residential, commuter and business travel. The area is a model of modern urban planning and has directly contributed to the regional acclaim of Silicon Beach. Playa Vista purposefully integrates mixed-use developments with sustainable transportation options such as bike lanes, walkable neighborhoods, electric vehicle charging stations, and efficient public transit connections.
Playa Vista excels as a national model for live-work-play developments—in large part because our community’s transportation plan ensures that we can responsibly manage how people travel here even as we grow. As required by the City of Los Angeles, each year we conduct trip monitoring to measure the success of the transportation plan and to comply with the standards outlined in our plan.
Big Blue Bus Route 14 service to Playa Vista plays a major role in the success of our transportation network and supports the implementation of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) practices that encourages sustainable transportation modes within and external to the site, including walking, biking, carpooling, and increased access to various public transportation modes.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 22539679-4415-41F4-BC74-9EB0F47397CD