Westside Cities Advance Bus Lane Plan Ahead of 2028 Olympics

A coalition of Westside cities is moving forward with a plan to speed up bus service across some of the region’s most congested corridors, with an eye toward delivering improvements before the 2028 Summer Olympics.

The Westside Cities Council of Governments is developing the Westside Bus Connection Project, a package of relatively low-cost upgrades along key routes including Santa Monica Boulevard, Sepulveda Boulevard, and the La Cienega Boulevard/Jefferson Boulevard corridor. The goal is to make buses faster and more reliable using tools like dedicated lanes, transit signal priority, and updated striping and signage.

New data shared by Joe Linton on Bluesky underscores the potential impact of these kinds of improvements. Early segments of bus lanes on the Westside could add up to roughly seven miles of continuous priority lanes, a level of connectivity that transit advocates say is key to making buses competitive with driving.

The emphasis on quick-build infrastructure—primarily paint, signals, and modest street redesign—also reflects a growing recognition that major transit projects can take years or decades to deliver. In contrast, bus priority projects can be implemented much more quickly and at a fraction of the cost.

The project is still in its planning stages, and public input will help shape what ultimately gets built. Workshops later this month in West Hollywood and Culver City will give riders and residents a chance to weigh in on proposed changes.

Officials note the effort complements ongoing local work, including Santa Monica’s separate Santa Monica Boulevard Safety Study, which also includes transit improvements such as expanded bus-only lanes.

If approved, the Westside Bus Connection Project could mark a significant step toward a more connected, bus-friendly network—one designed not just for major events, but for everyday riders navigating the region’s traffic-clogged streets.

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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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