Written Comments — Santa Monica City Council, July 9, 2024

1 David Yakobson
From: Luka P <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 9, 2024 5:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: July 9th Meeting Comments on Item 11A

EXTERNAL
Regarding the approval of the BBB COA for the next 5 years: A version of the COA published in April increased service frequency on Big Blue Bus’ Rapid 12 route to 7.5 minutes. However, the version presented to City council reduces that to 10 minutes. That is short-sighted because Westwood is slated to become an extremely busy and dense corridor in the next few years, with the opening of the Pico/Westwood UCLA campus, the D line station at Wilshire, and other local developments. The frequency here must remain 7.5 minutes as opposed to 10 because of all the increased traffic and potential ridership on that corridor that is only also served by BBB route 8. Moreover, the R12 provides connections to Metro’s 33, UCLA, E line Westwood, and others, and this is expected to grow with the addition of the aforementioned UCLA and D line developments.

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2 David Yakobson
From: Bill Lam <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 9, 2024 12:35 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda item 11-A for the 7/9/2024 regular city council meeting Categories: Red Category

EXTERNAL
(Note: Please send all of my comments to all council members and staff as well) So, I have been using Big Blue Bus numerous times and here are my feedback suggestions on the route recommendations under the Brighter Blue BBB stated below:

Route 1
Extend line 1 from Traffic Circle to California/Lincoln via Windward, Riviera, Westminster, Abbot Kinney, and California in order to connect with line 18 to continue down to Marina Del Rey at California/Abbot Kinney.

Please Maintain the Hilgard Terminal stop because it has bus shelters and restrooms as well.

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5 Route 2
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6 Please Maintain the Hilgard Terminal stop because it has bus shelters and restrooms as well.

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7 Item 11-A
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8 Route 3
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9 Support the recommended changes to end at LAX/Metro Transit Center instead of Aviation/Imperial Stations.

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11 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
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12 only.

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14 Route 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.

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17 Route 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 Item 11-A
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18 trips through Beverlywood
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20 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 existing 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
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21 9pm.

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22 Item 11-A
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23 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 existing 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. Since it was suspended during COVID, please retore back Express 7 as soon as possible because people want to try it before making any potential
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24 changes.

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26 Route 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.

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29 Route 9
Support the recommended changes by extending down to
Sunset/PCH.

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30 Item 11-A
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32 Rapid 10
Support the recommended changes
Rapid 12
Support the recommended changes
Route 14
On the south end of the route, I strongly oppose removing the service to Westchester/Veterans station because many people would still need to connect with the Metro K Line. On the north end of the route, I also strongly opposed to the removal of the Bundy segment between Wilshire and Montana because people don't want to want to walk far to the nearby bus lines to get around. My suggestion of the route is to extend the south end of the route from Culver City Transit Center to the Westchester/Veterans Station via 405 Fwy so that people can have an opportunity to connect with the Metro K Line train at Westchester/Veterans Station.

On the north end of the route, please maintain Bundy segment between Wilshire and Montana by traveling on Bundy(north of Wilshire), Montana, San Vicente, Wilshire, and end at Westwood/VA Hospital Station(or possibly extending to UCLA as
well).

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35 Item 11-A
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36 Route 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.

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39 Route 16
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40 Support the recommended changes by extending line 16 to Westwood/VA hospital Station
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41 Item 11-A
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42 Route 17
Support the recommended changes
Route 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
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46 Route 41
Support change but it would be better to strongly maintain the clockwise loop route by going on 17th, Olympic, 20th, Ocean Park, 17th, Pearl, 14th, Montana, 20th, Colorado, and back on 17th beginning and Item 11-A
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47 ending at 17th St/SMC Station.

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48 Item 11-A
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49 Route 42
I strongly oppose the cancellation of the route because people usually need this counterclockwise route if coming back round trip from the clockwise line 41 route like round trip between 14th/Idaho and 20th/Santa Monica using lines 41/42 for example. My suggestion is to maintain the counterclockwise loop route by going on 17th, Broadway, 20th, Montana, 14th, Pearl, 17th, Ocean Park, 20th, Colorado, and back on 17th beginning and ending at 17th St/SMC
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50 Station.

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52 Route 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.

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53 Item 11-A
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54 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 Item 11-A
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55 Wilshire.

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56 Item 11-A
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57 Route 44
Support recommended changes
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1 David Yakobson
From: Nataliya Nozharova <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 9, 2024 6:04 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: item 11A

EXTERNAL
Emailing in support of item 11A (Big Blue Bus) at the council meeting.

Nataliya Nozharova
247 Ocean Park Blvd.

Santa Monica, CA 90405
3108455993
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
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2 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2024 11:24 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: A. Approval of Big Blue Bus Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Recommendations

EXTERNAL
I am still strongly opposed to eliminating the southern segment of Route 14 without giving it a fair evaluation. This segment should remain until after the rail line is completely open and then be reevaluated. If the ridership has not improved, then it could be cut back at that time. This segment provides a much needed alternate to Culver City Route 6 on Sepulveda and BBB Route 3 on Lincoln.

Eliminating this connection just as the rail line opens is ridiculous.

At the very least, this elimination should be reviewed in the future.

Sincerely,
Philip Provencio
Item 11-A
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3 David Yakobson
From: Sudeepti Rachakonda <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2024 8:34 PM
To: Caroline Torosis; Christine Parra; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Jesse Zwick; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock
Subject: In support of 11A

EXTERNAL
Hello,
I am a Santa Monica resident and am reaching out to share my support for the BBB Service improvements, item 11A. We love the BBB, it’s one of the reasons we live in Santa Monica as opposed to LA and are excited for it to continue getting bigger and better! Thank you,
Sudeepti Rachakonda
Item 11-A
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Item 11-A
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4 David Yakobson
From: Caro Vilain <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2024 6:55 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Christine Parra; Phil Brock
Subject: Support for item 11A

EXTERNAL
Dear council,
I fully support item 11A.

I understand that there are concerns from a few people about bus stop changes at the UCLA campus, but these changes will help make the bus stops more accessible, the buses more frequent, and improve the experience of customers and operators alike.

I hope you fully support these recommendations that are all well thought out and that many of us are looking forward to.

Caro Vilain, 90404
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5 David Yakobson
From: CHASE ENGELHARDT <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2024 5:47 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Oscar de la Torre Cc: Anuj Gupta; BrighterBlue; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Item 11.A: Do Not Cut Service to UCLA Stops

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
While I applaud the overall service increases in the Brighter Blue Comprehensive Operational Analysis, I oppose the planned service cuts to key bus stops near UCLA. Please maintain Big Blue Bus service to Hilgard Terminal and Gayley/Strathmore.

I've lived in LA for the past 7 years and recently graduated from UCLA. I have been living car free in LA since 2021. City decisions around public transportation and active transportation infrastructure have since affected me greatly.

Hilgard Terminal is close to thousands of jobs and classes. Meanwhile, the new proposed terminus at Parking Structure 2 creates conflicts with cars entering and exiting the garage, squeezes bicyclists, and offers less shade and seating. While it could still be a stop, ending the routes there cuts them short by a quarter mile. Furthermore, the stop at Gayley Avenue and Strathmore Drive is the closest to many UCLA students, lots of whom do not own a car. It was already challenging enough to take the bus from North campus when I hurt my back, and I know it would challenge my classmates significantly.

Please stand up for our BBB riders to and from Westwood and amend Item 11.A to restore service to Hilgard Terminal and Gayley/Strathmore.

Thank you,
Chase Engelhardt
90034
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1 David Yakobson
From: Nataliya Nozharova <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 9, 2024 6:04 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: item 11A

EXTERNAL
Emailing in support of item 11A (Big Blue Bus) at the council meeting.

Nataliya Nozharova
247 Ocean Park Blvd.

Eliminating this connection just as the rail line opens is ridiculous.

At the very least, this elimination should be reviewed in the future.

EXTERNAL
Dear council,
I fully support item 11A.

I hope you fully support these recommendations that are all well thought out and that many of us are looking forward to.

Please stand up for our BBB riders to and from Westwood and amend Item 11.A to restore service to Hilgard Terminal and Gayley/Strathmore.

Thank you,
Chase Engelhardt
90034
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1 David Yakobson
From: CAROLYN PUGH <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2024 3:22 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Oscar de la Torre Cc: Anuj Gupta; BrighterBlue; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Item 11.A: Do Not Cut Service to UCLA Stops

I am a former UCLA student and current UCLA employee who rides the Big Blue Bus to campus and gets off at the Hilgard Terminal multiple times a week. Big Blue Bus is by far my best option for getting to campus, and I have had hip and foot issues in the past few years that would have made walking over .5 miles to get to my job and classes difficult. Many people get off the bus at that same stop and I'm sure it would create challenges for them as well.

Please stand up for our BBB riders to and from Westwood and amend Item 11.A to restore service to Hilgard Terminal and Gayley/Strathmore.

Thank you,
Carolyn Pugh
90025
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1 David Yakobson
From: Christopher Michel <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2024 2:50 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: BBB Brighter Blue

EXTERNAL
Hello,
Please support the Brighter Blue BBB five year plan we need more frequent buses and extended service hours! I like along the BBB R3, 3, 16 & 18 lines and would much appreciate these service updates. Many people rely on BBB and I constantly see the buses full! Bus lanes from SM to LAX metro station please!!! Thanks,
Christopher Michel
13221 Admiral Ave A
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
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2 David Yakobson
From: Adam Millard-Ball <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2024 12:46 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; BrighterBlue
Subject: Item 11.A: Big Blue Bus should continue serving all of UCLA

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
I was pleased to see many of the proposed service increases for Big Blue Bus. However, I was very disappointed to learn of the service REDUCTION to UCLA, through stopping several lines short of the Hilgard Terminal.

I am a regular rider of routes 1 and 2 from Santa Monica to Hilgard Terminal. That section of the route is well used, and there are thousands of classrooms, jobs, etc. that are close to the terminal. Shortening the routes as proposed will add an extra 5-10 minute walk for many riders, including myself.

Please maintain the full length of these routes.

Thanks.

Adam Millard-Ball
1243 22nd St
Santa Monica, CA 90404
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3 David Yakobson
From: Sandy Brown <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2024 11:35 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Oscar de la Torre Subject: Item 11. Yes. Cut Service to UCLA Stops

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
As president of the Holmby Westwood Property Owners Association, 1100 single family homes adjacent to the Hilgard terminal, and VP of the Westwood Neighborhood Council (for affiliation only) I support removal of the Hilgard terminus at UCLA and moving the stop to Hilgard and Westholme or Hilgard and Manning or both.

Ridership has decreased at the terminus and bus layovers are unnecessary. We applaud BBB for considering such a change!
Sandy Brown
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4 David Yakobson
From: Virginia Halstensgard <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, July 8, 2024 10:35 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Needs for Bus Riders

EXTERNAL

1. Benches with arms so people cannot sleep on them or chairs need to be made available at ALL stops so seniors and the disabled can sit while waiting for buses (we cannot stand).

2. All buses on Lincoln Boulevard should make all the stops. Many times,` I have watched three express buses go flying by while waiting & waiting for the regular bus that makes all the stops. The express buses do not make sense because they cannot go any faster than the regular buses because of the heavy traffic. And the express buses get preferences when buses have to be skipped which is totally wrong. The regular buses that make all the stops is what works for everybody!

3. The buses need to run late, even if they do not run as often, so that people who have to stay late at least have a way to get home!

4. Safety is a problem. For some reason, there are more and more violent or scary people riding the buses. There is no protection for riders. The drivers are afraid too. If I had a car, I would never take the bus for this reason alone. People with cars are not going to subject themselves to this danger and will drive.

Item 11-A
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5 David Yakobson
From: Michael Schneider <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2024 9:55 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Oscar de la Torre Cc: Anuj Gupta; BrighterBlue; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Item 11.A: Do Not Cut Service to UCLA Stops

Please stand up for our BBB riders to and from Westwood and amend Item 11.A to restore service to Hilgard Terminal and Gayley/Strathmore.

Thank you,
Michael Schneider
90064
Item 11-A
July 9, 2024
Item 11-A
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6 David Yakobson
From: Jacob Wasserman <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 7, 2024 3:01 PM
To: Council Mailbox; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Oscar de la Torre; councilmtgitems
Cc: Anuj Gupta; BrighterBlue
Subject: Item 11.A: For Reference: North Westwood Neighborhood Council Statement on Opening Hilgard Terminal
Attachments: Request for Action_Opening Hilgard Terminal.pdf

EXTERNAL
Santa Monica City Council,
The following is sent in my personal capacity, regarding Item 11.A on the City Council agenda for Tuesday, July 9:

For your reference, the North Westwood Neighborhood Council (the most local level of elected Los Angeles city government)—representing tens of thousands of stakeholders, many of whom ride Big Blue Bus and many of whom are residents of Santa Monica with work, business, or school in Westwood—passed the statement attached and below, regarding opening Hilgard Terminal for Big Blue Bus service for its entire operating hours.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Jacob Wasserman
11th and Washington
90403
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To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. - REQUEST FOR ACTIONThe North Westwood Neighborhood Council—representing many stakeholders who ride Big Blue Bus and tens of thousands of UCLA faculty, staff, and students—requests that UCLA allow bus operations at Hilgard Terminal at all times.

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7 Currently, UCLA blocks access to Hilgard Terminal in the evening, at nights, and on weekends, with physical bollards that the University controls. As documented in articles and editorials in the Daily Bruin, UCLA implemented this restriction, which has led to continually service cuts over the years, to appease a vocal, small minority of residents at the cost of thousands of commuters and UCLA affiliates. We question why, given that bus operations hardly increase the already present noise of car traffic on Hilgard Avenue and that buses neither drop off passengers nor idle on the residential side of the street. As chronicled in a Streetsblog Los Angeles timeline, moving drivers onto transit is actually part of a University-approved environmental mitigation measure to reduce noise effects, not increase them.

Hilgard Terminal has been used for decades as the terminus for several Big Blue Bus lines.

However, under Big Blue Bus’ proposed Brighter Blue service plan, all service will be cut to Hilgard Terminal (You can read our full comments on the Brighter Blue plan here.). The 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 stop that has no seating, limited lighting, and poor location (on Charles E. Young Drive, which is often congested and where conflicts between buses and cars, bikes, scooters, and pedestrians is more likely).

One of the reasons given for Big Blue Bus’ plan to cease service to Hilgard Terminal is that serving it at some times of day but not others is operationally challenging and hard for riders to understand. If UCLA opened the terminal to their use at all times, however, they could solve these issues without abandoning the stop.

Please listen to the vast majority of neighborhood and university stakeholders, especially our transit riders, and reopen Hilgard Terminal in full.

Item 11-A
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- REQUEST FOR ACTIONThe North Westwood Neighborhood Council—representing many stakeholders who ride Big Blue Bus and tens of thousands of UCLA faculty, staff, and students—requests that UCLA allow bus operations at Hilgard Terminal at all times.

Currently, UCLA blocks access to Hilgard Terminal in the evening, at nights, and on weekends, with physical bollards that the University controls. As documented in articles and editorials in the Daily Bruin, UCLA implemented this restriction, which has led to continually service cuts over the years, to appease a vocal, small minority of residents at the cost of thousands of commuters and UCLA affiliates. We question why, given that bus operations hardly increase the already present noise of car traffic on Hilgard Avenue and that buses neither drop off passengers nor idle on the residential side of the street. As chronicled in a Streetsblog Los Angeles timeline, moving drivers onto transit is actually part of a University-approved environmental mitigation measure to reduce noise effects, not increase them.

Hilgard Terminal has been used for decades as the terminus for several Big Blue Bus lines. However, under Big Blue Bus’ proposed Brighter Blue service plan, all service will be cut to Hilgard Terminal (You can read our full comments on the Brighter Blue plan here.). The 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 stop that has no seating, limited lighting, and poor location (on Charles E. Young Drive, which is often congested and where conflicts between buses and cars, bikes, scooters, and pedestrians is more likely).

Please listen to the vast majority of neighborhood and university stakeholders, especially our transit riders, and reopen Hilgard Terminal in full.

Item 11-A
July 9, 2024
Item 11-A
July 9, 2024
8 David Yakobson
From: Jacob Wasserman <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, July 6, 2024 9:58 PM
To: Council Mailbox; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Oscar de la Torre; councilmtgitems
Cc: Anuj Gupta; BrighterBlue
Subject: Item 11.A: For Reference: North Westwood Neighborhood Council Statement on BBB Service Cuts to Key UCLA Stops
Attachments: Request for Action_Big Blue Bus Service Changes and Continued Use of Hilgard Terminal.pdf

EXTERNAL
Santa Monica City Council,
The following is sent in my personal capacity, regarding Item 11.A on the City Council agenda for Tuesday, July 9:

For your reference, the North Westwood Neighborhood Council (the most local level of elected Los Angeles city government)—representing tens of thousands of stakeholders, many of whom ride Big Blue Bus and many of whom are residents of Santa Monica with work, business, or school in Westwood—unanimously passed the statement attached and below, regarding the proposed Big Blue Bus service changes.

In short, the Council commends the proposed service increases but opposes the removal of service to Hilgard Terminal on several routes and the removal of stops at Gayley Avenue/Strathmore Drive on Route 18.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Jacob Wasserman
11th and Washington
90403
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To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. - REQUEST FOR ACTIONItem 11-A
July 9, 2024
Item 11-A
July 9, 2024
9 The 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.

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.

Item 11-A
July 9, 2024
Item 11-A
July 9, 2024
10 David Yakobson
From: Ed Costello <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, July 5, 2024 3:52 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Support Brighter BLUE

EXTERNAL
Edward J. Costello
"In our nation's 247 year history,
there has never been an individual
who is greater threat to our republic
than Donald Trump."
Dick Cheney, Sep. 7, 2023
Item 11-A
July 9, 2024
Item 11-A
July 9, 2024
- 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.

Item 11-A
July 9, 2024
Item 11-A
July 9, 2024
11 David Yakobson
From: Matthew Bryant <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, July 5, 2024 12:59 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Brighter Blue

EXTERNAL
I urge the approval of the proposal for Brighter Blue.

Brighter Blue is a vital indicator of Santa Monica’s current and future direction in terms of encouraging increased use of efficient and well run public transportation.

Anything that can be done within tolerable budget parameters to encourage increased ridership should be approved and endorsed.

To expect Big Blue Bus to operate successfully into the future without ongoing updating of services would be a major error.

My only observation is that, in tandem with improved service, BBB should be supported with an active ongoing advertising/promotional budget to announce changes and to encourage increased usage.

Matthew Bryant
617 10th Street, Santa Monica
Item 11-A
July 9, 2024
Item 11-A
July 9, 2024
12 David Yakobson
From: UNITUPM <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, July 5, 2024 12:57 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Big Blue Bus and Light Rail

EXTERNAL
Security Security Security
Safety Safety Safety
These modes of transportation need to be made safe. They need armed patrols.

It doesn’t matter how many routes there are if people aren’t safe from being stabbed, robbed or harassed.

Item 11-A
July 9, 2024
Item 11-A
July 9, 2024
13 David Yakobson
From: Jerry <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, July 5, 2024 12:38 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: BRIGHTER BLUE

EXTERNAL
As a senior living in Sunset Park, I strongly support the Brighter Blue bus plan which would bring a greater frequency of service.

I am very hopeful it will happen!
Thank you.

Jerry Nodiff
Item 11-A
July 9, 2024
Item 11-A
July 9, 2024

Santa Monica City CouncilJuly 9, 2024

Santa Monica City Council
July 9, 2024