Big Blue Bus Fare Change Effective January 10, 2016
SANTA MONICA, CA – Big Blue Bus (BBB) fares will change on Sunday, January 10, 2016. BBB will adjust the regular base fare cash price from $1 to $1.25, offer a new 7-Day Pass for $14, and reduce many pass prices; the price of a Youth 30-Day Pass, for example, will drop from $40 to $28, and a Regular 30-Day Pass will drop from $60 to $50. Senior, Disabled and Medicare cash fares, including the $0.50 reduced base cash fare, and all other reduced rate pass prices will remain the same. See full details at BigBlueBus.com/fares.
Throughout the past five years, BBB has held the line on fare increases while maintaining high quality services and implementing new customer amenities such as NextBus, TAP card system and 3-position bike racks. In addition, BBB will be adding 11% more service over the next 12 months as part of the Evolution of Blue campaign to provide connections to the upcoming Expo Light Rail Line. The additional operating revenue will ensure a balanced operating budget.
A major objective for BBB in 2016 is to speed up bus boarding and improve travel speed. Reducing pass prices will increase the attractiveness of pass use, improving the speed of boarding and subsequent travel times. This offers the combined benefit of reducing the cost of operating the routes and getting customers to their destinations more quickly.
When the change takes place, regular fares will be $1.25 per ride on all routes plus a $1.25 surcharge on the Rapid 10 Express to Downtown Los Angeles. Regular priced day-passes that allow unlimited rides in a calendar day will remain at $4 and will require an upgrade fee of $1.25 on the Rapid 10. All passes are available on TAP cards and can be purchased online at taptogo.net, as well as at BBB’s Transit Store and other locations in Santa Monica, visit bigbluebus.com for a list of locations.
About Big Blue Bus
Big Blue Bus operates a fleet of nearly 200 vehicles transporting more than 61,000 passengers daily across a 51-square mile service area. Nationally recognized for its long-standing commitment to a cleaner environment, the entire fleet operates on alternative fuels, including renewable natural gas (RNG) a form of liquefied and compressed natural gas (LNG/CNG), which helps cut emissions by up to 90 percent. Serving Santa Monica and the Los Angeles area since 1928, Big Blue Bus has won numerous awards for its marketing, customer service, safety and efficiency.
CONTACT:
Suja Lowenthal
310.458.1975, ext. 6920
Suja.Lowenthal@smgov.net