Big Blue Bus (BBB) is embarking upon the second phase of major service and stop changes as part of the Evolution of Blue campaign, which is BBB’s service integration with the upcoming Expo light rail launch. The first phase of the Evolution of Blue plan to integrate BBB’s service with the Expo Light Rail Line rolled out in Aug. 23, 2015, and the second phase, which will include changes on several routes, will begin on Feb. 21, 2016.
Route 16, which is a new route, will provide service from West Los Angeles (Wilshire Blvd. and Bundy Dr.) to Marina del Rey serving the 26th Street/Bergamot Metro Rail Station along its route. Route 3M will become the new Route 18 with extended southern service from Downtown Santa Monica to Venice’s Abbot Kinney. Route 1 routing will change from Ocean Ave. to 4th St. to provide convenient connections to the Expo terminus at the Downtown Santa Monica Metro Rail Station, and provide new service to Marina del Rey. Weekend service will be added on Route 41 along with direct connections to the 17th Street/SMC Metro Rail Station, and new stops adjacent to Santa Monica College. The new Route 42 will provide counterclockwise service to Route 41, seven days a week beginning the first day of Metro Rail service. Additional modifications include regular bus stop changes and schedule changes to Routes 3, Rapid 3, 5, 7, Rapid 7, Rapid 10, 14, and 15.
Transit director, Ed King says, “The Evolution of Blue continues this February with expanded service to key destinations such as Venice’s Abbot Kinney and Marina Del Rey, and more regional service connections to the Exposition Light Rail Stations. We know that Big Blue Bus service making first-last mile linkages to a major light rail line are critical connections for regional mobility. With the imminent opening of Expo Line Phase II, this is a phenomenal opportunity to attract new riders if it is connected seamlessly and in as many convenient locations as possible. Big Blue Bus has positioned itself as one critical piece of the mobility solution by providing north-south connectors approximately every half mile to seven new rail stations along the Expo Line, with origins/destinations to high density areas and job centers. We expect that these phased service changes will increase system-wide ridership, providing true mobility freedom, flexibility and choice.”
To stay on top of these service changes, BBB has updated its entire suite of customer information products. The award winning “Little Blue Book” transit guide, which includes schedules for each BBB route and a large foldout System Map, is now available on board, at the Transit Store and at public counters such as local libraries and senior centers. To ensure they get the new version, customers can look for the lime green band showing the new effective date of Feb. 21, 2016.
