Santa Monica Installing 10 Sleek, Modern, Bus Shelters

Santa Monica has unveiled nine new bus shelters, with another on its way, across the city to upgrade the experience for the city’s riders. There’s a full list of the new shelters at the end of the article.

“We’re excited to introduce new Big Blue Bus shelters in Santa Monica that enhance rider comfort with integrated lighting, seating, and shade, while we expand real-time information signage to nearly 275 bus stops systemwide next year,” said Santa Monica Department of Transportation Director Anuj Gupta. 

“These improvements are part of a broader customer experience plan that reimagines how Big Blue Bus connects people to opportunity, focusing on safety, service frequency, and rider amenities that promote convenient, equitable, and reliable access to our system.”

The new shelters offer improved solar lighting, shade, seating, and protection from the elements, creating a more comfortable and welcoming experience for riders as they wait for their bus. They come as part of the Better Blue Bus Stop project, which utilizes federal grants to enhance “safety, accessibility, and comfort.”

Vibe shift

It may sound trite to say, but the new shelters come at an interesting moment in the city’s history. While the city has been slowly rebounding from the pandemic, it’s been nearly six years since the disaster declaration and for many people, the rebound isn’t fast enough.

Then a couple of weeks ago, the city announced a reorganization plan billed as the harbinger of a new renaissance. The Council quickly passed it, and the plan is so popular that there is a battle for credit going on between the current leadership and the one defeated in the most recent election.

To build momentum, the city quickly announced some changes that were promised in the plan would come to reality, including the creation of a police center at Santa Monica Place.

The bus shelters have been in the planning and procurement process for months, if not years, but they’ve already gotten a positive reaction from riders and assuming the city continues on its current path will be part of the vibe shift Santa Monica is experiencing.

New shelters installed.

1. Wilshire Boulevard & 23rd Street
2. Ocean Park Boulevard & 28th Street
3. 17th Street & Colorado Avenue (17th Street / SMC Station)
4. Main Street & Bay Street
5. 4th Street & Pico Boulevard
6. Stewart Street & Pennsylvania Avenue
7. Broadway & 6th Street
8. Lincoln Boulevard & Montana Avenue
9. Wilshire Boulevard & 20th Street
   
10. The final shelter will be installed on Santa Monica Boulevard & Berkeley Street.

About The Author

Damien Newton

Damien is the executive director of the Southern California Streets Initiative which publishes Santa Monica Next, Streetsblog Los Angeles, Streetsblog San Francisco, Streetsblog California and Longbeachize.

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