Santa Monica officials, state leaders and community advocates gathered Thursday at Big Blue Bus headquarters to break ground on a $56 million zero-emission fleet expansion and charging infrastructure project that will power the city's transition to a fully electric bus system.
Backed largely by a $53 million grant from the State of California's Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, the initiative includes the deployment of 73 zero-emission, battery-electric buses alongside the charging infrastructure needed to support a fully electric fleet of 195 vehicles by 2032.
"This project represents more than an infrastructure investment — it's a transformation of how we deliver transit service," said Anuj Gupta, director of the Santa Monica Department of Transportation. "We're building the foundation for a cleaner, more efficient system that benefits our riders, our workforce, and our community."
California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin noted the project moved from funding to implementation in just 18 months, calling the pace a model for execution.
"This is what it looks like when investment turns into impact," Omishakin said. "From the moment the state awarded this funding to today, we are seeing real progress that will serve people for decades to come."
He framed the investment as part of a broader statewide vision centered on equity, climate action, safety and economic prosperity. "What's happening here is not just for Santa Monica," he said. "This is a blueprint for cities across California and for communities across the country looking to build cleaner, more connected transportation systems."
Mayor Caroline Torosis emphasized the essential role transit plays in the city's daily function and long-term vision. "Big Blue Bus is not just a service for our community; it's essential. It gets people to work, to school, to healthcare, and back home. When it works well, everything in our city works better."
Torosis also pointed to the less visible but critical nature of the charging infrastructure investment. "This is about cleaner air in our neighborhoods, about public health, about quieter streets and a better quality of life," she said. "A lot of cities are setting goals around zero-emission transit. What matters is doing the work to actually get there."
City Manager Oliver Chi placed the investment within the city's broader operating philosophy. "We are not only advancing climate solutions, we are building a city that is truly livable, where infrastructure supports how people actually move, work, and live," he said.
Beyond environmental gains, the project is designed as an economic engine supporting workforce development, training programs and apprenticeships while generating jobs across manufacturing, infrastructure and operations.
The shift to zero-emission vehicles also promises public health benefits, quieter streets and expanded economic opportunity. Increased service frequency — with buses arriving as often as every 10 minutes — aims to make public transit a first choice in a region long defined by car dependency.
Climate advocate Makeda Bullock Floyd noted transportation is Santa Monica's largest source of emissions and said the transition to electrification creates "literal room to breathe" for the next generation. U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla called the investment a model for the future of transportation nationwide.