DOWNTOWN — Santa Monicans can check out the Exposition Light Rail Line before it reaches the city by the sea by hopping aboard a new Big Blue Bus route.
Starting Monday, riders can take the Rapid 20 from Downtown to the Expo Culver City station via Interstate 10 — all for just $1 (50 cents for seniors and the disabled.)
Riders can catch the Rapid 20 on Fourth Street at Santa Monica Place or at Broadway at Sixth Street.
To further increase connectivity to Expo light rail, BBB's Super 12 service is being changed to a Rapid 12 service.
To transport riders between the Culver City station and Westwood/UCLA quickly and directly, bus trip times are being aligned with the light rail trips, stops with the lowest usage are being eliminated (but will still be served by BBB's Local 12), and the end-of-line stop is being relocated to northbound Robertson Boulevard between Venice and Washington boulevards.
These service changes and others were made by using existing resources, BBB officials said in a press release.
"Moving resources from under-performing services and utilizing empty bus trips to generate revenue is how BBB will do more for its riders without an impact on the existing budget," Ed King, director of transit services at the Big Blue Bus said in the release.
A complete detail of BBB's fall service changes, some of which go into effect this Sunday, including changes to Route 2, 5, and Rapid 10, is available at www.bigbluebus.com.
kevinh@www.smdp.com
