I’VE BEEN GIVING A LOT OF THOUGHT to the Big Blue Bus. Most of it was done at a bus stop at Lincoln Boulevard and Ashland Avenue last Monday, around 9 a.m., while waiting for the #3 bus to Montana Avenue.
I watched two express Rapid #3s speed by. One had eight or 10 passengers and the other maybe a dozen, while the “local” 3s are usually packed like sardines. Normally, the #3 runs every 15 minutes during rush hour, so by this time I’m thinking that Big Blue’s management ought to take a look at more timely operating schedules instead of the political correctness of its bus advertising Finally, after 35 minutes, a local bus finally came along. I hopped on with four other passengers. I should’ve looked at the front of the bus because when it turned onto Arizona Avenue, a loudspeaker announced: “Fifth Street and Arizona — End of the line.”
I asked for a transfer to continue on to Montana Avenue/UCLA when I left the bus.
“Too late. You have to get your transfer when you get on,” the driver lectured.
A half-dozen other passengers and I strolled to the bus stop on Fourth Street. Five minutes later, the Montana/UCLA #3 came along. I climbed aboard and paid a second 75-cent fare. Total time to get from Ashland and Lincoln to Euclid Street and Montana — one hour and five minutes.
I could’ve walked it faster and got my exercise, too.
I don’t mean to bag on Big Blue. Actually, it’s a well run bus line — far preferable to the MTA for a number of reasons. But, when a major bus route runs on a highly inconvenient 30-minute schedule from 9:24 a.m. until 1:14 p.m. weekdays and on weekday evenings, and weekends from mid-Santa Monica to UCLA and back, no wonder people don’t ride buses.
There’s no excuse for riders to have to wait a half hour or longer for a bus. For mass transit to work, it must be convenient and timely -- something “Smart Growth” types and transit advocates seem to ignore.
At best, both the #3 and #2 Wilshire run 15 minute schedules. The #7 Pico and #1 Santa Monica Boulevard run 10-minute intervals. In major cities worldwide, you’ll find three-to five-minute bus service on major routes. Good news though. Big Blue recently doubled the frequency of #11 Crosstown. It now runs every 15 minutes and is much more user-friendly.
Big Blue has been holding community meetings about it’s service. Their last meeting is tonight at Virginia Park’s Thelma Terry Center, 2200 Virginia Avenue, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Go and tell ‘em what it’ll take (besides high gas prices) to get and keep you aboard.
Speaking of being taken for a ride, City Council will discuss “Public Financing of Campaigns” — Agenda Item 8A on Tuesday night. City staff recommends the use of public tax monies to subsidize candidates running for City Council to “level the playing field.” And yes, Virginia, with possible grants of up to $100,000 per candidate, this would likely mean new taxes or fee increases (such as higher utility taxes, parcel taxes or parking fines) to pay for as much as the $1.8-million this grand giveaway could cost.
The hundreds of thousands of dollars spent by independent front organizations on behalf of candidates such as one backed by Shutters and Casa del Mar hotels in the last election have stirred calls for meaningful campaign reform. However, support for individuals and slates of candidates by business groups, unions and civic organizations such as Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights or the Community for Excellent Public Schools is constitutionally protected and will continue.
Public monies will not eliminate fundraising and expenditures by independent organizations. And, it’s a waste of good taxpayer money to subsidize candidates benefiting from “outside” support as well as marginal candidates who might qualify for city matching funds and run to hear the sound of their own voices.
The best answer is obviously even fuller and much more timely public disclosure concerning donations to and expenditures by both candidates and independent political committees. In addition, upping the maximum individual donation to a candidate from $250 to $750 just makes common sense.
When BILL BAUER isn’t on a bus out of town, he
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 12, 2007. Read the original PDF.