Big Blue Bus Awarded $6.9 Million for New Buses, Stop Improvements

Big Blue Bus (BBB) has announced it will receive $6.9 million from the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5307 discretionary fund to upgrade the agency’s fleet and create bus stops for its new Expo related service.

Big Blue Bus was given $5.9 million to upgrade the agency’s all-alternative fuel bus fleet. The funds will purchase nine replacement compressed natural gas buses. The new vehicles will replace buses that have been on the road more than 12 years. The new buses will provide a more comfortable commute experience for customers and reduce vehicle maintenance costs. In addition, the new vehicles will reduce emissions released into the environment.

Big Blue Bus also received $1 million for new bus stop improvements. The Santa Monica City Council recently adopted a new operating plan which will meet the demands of the Expo Light Rail Line coming to Santa Monica next year. The new service plan includes extensive changes throughout BBB’s entire service area and will require new stops systemwide. The funds would provide for bus signage and provide ADA accessibility at the new stops. BBB Director Ed King adds, “Identifying funding for the bus stops is a key step to implementing BBB's Expo related service as six new routes and changes to nearly all 20 BBB routes require the construction of 204 new stops."