Tag: fare changes

SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica announced that starting Wednesday, July 1, the Big Blue Bus will implement fare changes to its Mobility on Demand Every Day (MODE) program.

The fare change marks the second phase in a three-part fare adjustment plan approved by Santa Monica City Council in June 2019. The adjustment is intended to ensure MODE’s long-term operational sustainability and support the program’s growth.

Starting July 1, 2026

Regular

$1.50 (Current Fare)

$2.00 (New Fare)

Low-Income

$0.75 (Current Fare)

$1.00 (New Fare)

Since 2018, Big Blue Bus partnered with Lyft to offer discounted on-demand rides for Santa Monica seniors (age 65 or older) and adults (age 18 or older) with disabilities, using both sedan and wheelchair accessible vehicles. In February, due to an increase in members and demand, the program expanded its service hours and reinstated Sunday service, following service reductions that began during the Coronavirus pandemic. MODE operates seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

MODE currently serves more than 2,500 active MODE members taking over 41,000 trips annually to medical appointments, grocery stores, shopping centers, and social outings.

“MODE provides an invaluable service to Santa Monica’s aging and mobility-challenged residents,” said Director of Transportation, Anuj Gupta. “We are thrilled to see the continued growth in MODE memberships and the increasing demand for rides, which reflects the program’s critical role in helping residents stay connected to the places they need to go. This modest fare adjustment will help strengthen and expand the program so we can continue providing affordable, accessible, and convenient transportation for our community now and into the future.”

To learn more about MODE, including eligibility requirements, low-income fare options, and how to apply, visit bigbluebus.com/MODE.

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On March 19, the city of Santa Monica announced on its website that the Santa Monica Department of Transportation’s Big Blue Bus will host two public hearings to introduce proposed fare increases aimed at increasing transit services and addressing rising operational costs.

The first public hearing will be held virtually on Wednesday, April 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. To attend, community members must register at www.bigbluebus.com/meetings.

The second hearing will take place in-person on Thursday, April 3, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Santa Monica Main Library in the Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium.

Individuals not able to attend a hearing are asked to share feedback by completing an online survey at www.bigbluebus.com/meetings. The survey will remain open until Thursday, April 10.

This would be the Big Blue Bus’s first fare increase proposal in nearly a decade.

“At Big Blue Bus, we are committed to maintaining affordable fares and high-quality transit service,” said Department of Transportation Director Anuj Gupta. “The proposed fare adjustments will help us offset rising costs while investing in the recruitment and retention of our workforce and providing meaningful customer experience improvements that ensure Big Blue Bus remains a safe, reliable, convenient, and appealing alternative to driving.”

Big Blue Bus is proposing the following fare changes:

-Increasing the cost of Single Ride, 1-Day, 7-Day, 10 Rides, and 30-Day Passes

-Eliminating the Annual and Youth 30-Day Passes

Big Blue Bus will continue to offer one free intra-agency transfer within two hours, discounts on Single Rides for contactless fare payments, and expanded access to reduced fares through participation in regional programs such as LIFE and GoPass.

Find more details about the proposed fare changes at www.bigbluebus.com/meetings.

After gathering public feedback the department will bring the final proposal to the Santa Monica City Council for consideration, anticipated in May 2025.

BBB Routes 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, and 18 serve the Santa Monica Main Library. Parking is available in the library garage (enter on 7th Street north of Santa Monica Blvd.).

This Santa Monica Main Library is ADA-accessible. Disability and interpretation accommodation requests should be made at least three days prior to the hearing by calling (310) 458-1975, ext. 2386. All written materials are available in alternate formats upon request.

By Trevor