Getting around town may have just gotten a bit easier
By KRISTIN MAYER Special to the Daily Press
DOWNTOWN Santa Monica, see the future of mass transit.
Locals can take a sneak peek of the new Big Blue Bus services and proposed all-day bus pass at a series of community meetings scheduled for March 5 to 12 at various locations across the city.
The annual forums debuts to the public what the city has planned in terms of mass transit. Thse events also allow the public to express concerns and opinions to city big wigs.
“A lot of the time we adjust our plans based on the community input,” said Dan Dawson, public information officer for the City of Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus.“It might be something as simple as adding a bus stop.”
Officials will be introducing Mini Bus, a new community-tailored service that features smaller,alternative-fuel coaches with low floors for easy boarding. Riders can expect shorter wait times for this service,which runs more frequently along shorter routes. Both should be relief for area pedestrians.
The City Council hopes to provide transportation solutions for people who live and work in Santa Monica as well as give them the ability to leave their cars at home while running everyday errands around town Dawson said.
“It will help kids get to school, shoppers to the farmer’s market and tourists to the beach,” he said.
Residents will also have the chance to give their feedback regarding a proposed fare parking structure that would add an all-day pass and reduce the need to purchase transfers.
Big Blue Bus will present its Mini Bus plan and fare structure for City Council consideration on April 10.
Big Blue Bus gathers public input to plan new services while improving those that already exist.
“Sometimes the community has really good suggestions,” Dawson said. “All ideas are considered, but they’re not always feasible.”
A recent rider survey highlighted the need for improved on-time performance along Line 10. Staff will address potential changes to the line during the community meetings.
Meeting locations include the Santa Monica Main Library,Santa Monica College,the UCLA Student Activity Center, the Ken Edwards Center and Virginia Park.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: ■ Mon., March 5: 6:00-8:00 p.m., Santa Monica Main Library (Multipurpose Room), 601 Santa Monica Blvd. ■Tues., March 6: 11:15 a.m. — 12:15 p.m., Santa Monica College (Business Building Room 111), 1900 Pico Blvd. ■Thur., March 8: noon — 2 p.m., UCLA Student Activity Center (Room B05/Conference Rooms 1 &2), 220 Westwood Plaza. ■Sat., March 10: 10 a.m. — noon, Ken Edwards Center (Room 100 A-B), 1527 Fourth St. ■Mon., March 12: 6 p.m. — 8 p.m., Virginia Park (Thelma Terry Center) 2200 Virginia Ave.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 26, 2007. Read the original PDF.