Caltrans is hosting a workshop and online survey to gather input about a proposal to extend bus only lanes on Lincoln Boulevard for another 3.1 miles south to Manchester Boulevard.
Currently, bus only lanes are on Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica, although under the LADOT/Caltrans “Lincoln Fast Forward” plan, those lanes will be extended south from the L.A./Santa Monica border to Venice Boulevard later this year.
If Caltrans moves forward with this plan, the lanes would eventually end less than a mile north of LAX and would provide significant benefits to people accessing the airport via the Big Blue Bus on either Route 3 or the Rapid 3.
The proposed bus lanes would operate during weekday peak hours—northbound from 7 to 10 a.m., and southbound from 4 to 7 p.m. In some places the lanes would replace car parking, in others a mixed-use travel lane.
The Caltrans study will evaluate multiple alternatives for the route, including part-time and full-time bus lanes, potential lane reductions, and impacts to on-street parking. In certain areas, parking restrictions may need to be modified or eliminated to accommodate the bus lanes.
The bus only lanes would be used not just by the Big Blue Bus, but also Metro. According to a recent survey of Big Blue Bus riders, nearly 3 out of 4 of Route 3 passengers earn less than $50,000 annually. Ridership on the line has increased more than 40% since the pandemic lows in 2021.
Caltrans will hold a public meeting next Wednesday, April 16 open house from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Oakwood Recreation Center, 767 California Avenue in Venice, or you can take their online survey anytime before the close of business on May 7.
