Tag: The PickUp

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Tuesday, October 7, the city of West Hollywood announced on its website that The PickUp, the city’s free weekend ride, will return to service starting on Thursday, October 9.

The PickUp is a service that connects residents and visitors to nightlife, dining, and entertainment destinations in and around West Hollywood’s Rainbow District, Center City, and Eastside. In July, West Hollywood announced a temporary service interruption for The PickUp to facilitate a transition to a new vendor.

With the return to service, the city is unveiling an updated design for its yellow PickUp vehicles. The new look transforms the fleet with vibrant rainbow hues that evoke the energy of roadways and movement.

“The PickUp has become a staple of weekend nightlife and community life in West Hollywood,” said West Hollywood Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers. “We’re thrilled to welcome its return and we invite everyone to enjoy this unique free service that’s as fun as it is practical. With its refreshed design, our bright yellow vehicles now shine with more rainbow flair. The fresh look for The PickUp is bold, modern, and unmistakably West Hollywood, and we can’t wait for people to see it rolling down Santa Monica Boulevard.”

Since its launch in 2013, The PickUp has provided over 50,000 annual passenger trips, reducing DUI (Driving Under the Influence), easing traffic congestion, and supporting a safe, vibrant nightlife experience. The service runs along Santa Monica Boulevard in a loop with stops in each direction between N. Robertson Boulevard and N. La Brea Avenue. Riders can hop on and off at key locations to explore bars, clubs, restaurants, and entertainment venues throughout the region.

The PickUp will continue to run on its regular weekend schedule, providing safe and convenient transportation for residents and visitors alike. The PickUp will also debut a pilot program of Thursday night rides from March through October. For complete updates, route details, and schedules visit wehopickup.com or follow @wehopickup on Instagram, Facebook, and X. Additional details about transit options in West Hollywood can be found at www.weho.org/transit.

In connection with the temporary closure of Santa Monica Boulevard for AIDS Walk Los Angeles on Sunday, October 12, The PickUp’s service will start one hour later than usual; service will operate from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. instead of the regular 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. schedule.

The PickUp will run on Friday, October 31, as part of the WeHo Halloween Ride special service route. WeHo Halloween Ride vehicles will travel through West Hollywood from N. La Brea Avenue to N. Kings Road along Santa Monica Boulevard from 6 p.m. to 3.a.m.

Select vehicles will also run to and from the Hollywood/Highland Metro Station from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Details about the WeHo Halloween Ride route and schedule will be posted at wehopickup.com.

For more details contact Christian Vasquez, West Hollywood Transportation Program Administrator, at (323) 848-6570 or at thepickup@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing dial 711 or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) or 1-800-735-2922 (voice) for California Relay Service (CRS) assistance.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—The city, West Hollywood City Council, and its Public Safety Commission are joining the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, local Fire Stations 7 and 8, and Block by Block Security Ambassadors to remind the public not to drink and drive as the upcoming holiday season arrives.

The PickUp, a free trolley service launched in 2013 is celebrating 10 years this year and a community reception will be held. The trolley runs along Santa Monica Boulevard on Friday and Saturday nights from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. and on Sundays from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on specific holidays.

The trolley carries people safely to and from bars, clubs, restaurants, and entertainment venues in and around West Hollywood’s Rainbow District, Center City and Eastside areas.

The reception will take place on Monday, December 4, at 5:30 p.m. in the motor court adjacent to West Hollywood’s Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. It is free and open to the public to attend and will happen before the regular meeting of the West Hollywood City Council, which will start at 6 p.m.

The PickUp provides more than 100,000 passenger trips each year and connects individuals to the places in the city they want to go. The PickUp reduces driving while intoxicated and eases parking and traffic congestion. Details for riding can be viewed at: www.wehopickup.com.

West Hollywood works year-round to raise awareness about safe driving, distractions, and pedestrian safety. The City’s Drive Mindfully campaign reminds community members to encourage safety in the community whether driving, bicycling, or walking. The City’s Imbibe Intelligently campaign promotes safety tips and messages regarding alcohol consumption and encourages responsibility as the city works to maintain safe establishments that are free from overconsumption of alcohol.

As the holiday season approaches, the West Hollywood Station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has issued the following safety tips:

-Even one drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk — or worse, the risk of having a crash while driving.

-If you will be drinking or using marijuana, do not plan on driving. Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins – a designated driver is someone who hasn’t had any alcohol or marijuana, not just the person who drank or smoked the least.

-If you have been drinking or using marijuana, do not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, use a ride share service or public transportation, or call one of your local sober ride home programs.

-Be responsible. If someone you know is impaired, do not let that person get behind the wheel, and do not accept a ride with an impaired person.

-If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.

The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station’s Community Impact Team (CIT) actively patrols bars, nightclubs, and hotels. Deputies are proactive in addressing impacts from entertainment establishments and special events. The Sheriff’s Station’s Entertainment Policing Team (EPT) focuses on entertainment and alcohol-related law enforcement issues. Together, the Sheriff’s Station and the City’s Code Compliance Division work with the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to educate businesses and work collaboratively on alcohol-related issues.

For more details about The PickUp Celebrating 10 Years or about West Hollywood’s transit programs contact Douglas Bear Nguyen, West Hollywood Transportation Program Administrator, at (323) 848-6370 or at dnguyen@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing call TTY (323) 848-6496.

By Trevor