Big Blue Bus stops are going to be looking pretty different soon! The Santa Monica bus system’s been working on a Bus Shelter and Bus Stop Redesign Project, basically to make waiting for the bus safer and more pleasant — while giving riders more information about when the bus will actually arrive.
To the right’s a look at the stop-specific signage all the stops will be getting (PDF here). Want to see what the bus shelters — which are supposed to have some great eco-friendly components and features — might look like? Be the first to see the conceptual renderings by attending the Big Blue Bus’ next round of community meetings:
>> Wed., Jan. 20 from 6 pm – 8 pm at the L.A. City Library, 2920 Overland Ave., Los Angeles.
>> Thurs., Jan. 21 from 6 pm – 8 pm at the Montana Branch Library, 1704 Montana Blvd., Santa Monica.
>> Mon., Jan. 25 from 6 pm – 8 pm at the Fairview Branch Library, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica.
>> Sat., Jan. 30 from 2 pm – 4 pm at the Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica.
>> Tues., Feb. 2 from 6 pm – 8 pm at the Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica.
In addition to the Bus Shelter and Bus Stop Redesign Project, the meetings will discuss a proposed fare restructure, the redesign of the Tide Ride, and new online tools. One question I’m hoping will be answered is when exactly Big Blue Bus info will be Google Transit, joining Metro’s. Big Blue Bus schedules were supposed to be on Google Transit by the end of 2009 according to Linda Gamberg at Big Blue Bus, but they’re still not as of today.
Earlier:
>> Big Blue Bus’ new maintence facility
Hi GreenLAGirl Readers – We will definitely be ready to provide updates about Google Transit at the meetings. Thanks for your interest and for riding the Big Blue Bus.
Linda Gamberg
Marketing & Public Information Coordinator
City of Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus
Comment by Linda Gamberg — January 12, 2010 @ 3:37 pm
Hey Siel,
Thanks for covering this!
Was anyone reading this able to make it to the SMCity Council mtg last night? That’s when the designers of the bus stops were presented their designs. (And yes, they’ll be formally presented to the public at the meetings mentioned here). If so, what’d you think? How did the council react?
I was really planning on attending this meeting – so nerdy – but the plans got canceled after I had to decamp to my mom’s in the Valley due to the fumigation of my Santa Monica apartment building!
Comment by Sirinya Tritipeskul — January 13, 2010 @ 8:48 am
Linda — Looking forward to seeing you :)
Sirinya — The council meeting last night was canceled due to our mayor’s untimely death a few days ago. The designs will be presented at the emergency council meeting next week, I believe.
Comment by Siel — January 13, 2010 @ 9:03 am
Linda, can you give more info on when and where the meeting is?
Comment by Brandon Lee — January 14, 2010 @ 12:11 pm
Hi Brandon, et al –
The City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, 1/19 beginning at SM City Hall. More details can be found at http://www.smgov.net/departments/council/.
The Community Meetings that the Big Blue Bus are hosting are listed at http://bigbluebus.com/meetings/community-meetings.html.
Hope you can make it to one of them.
Linda
Comment by Linda Gamberg — January 14, 2010 @ 1:53 pm