Transit Ridership
How are we doing?
Santa Monica has one of the most extensive transit networks among cities of its size and is committed to creating multi-modal transportation systems that enhance mobility, while minimizing road congestion and pollution from single-occupancy vehicles.
Ridership on the Big Blue Bus has decreased in recent years. Declines in transit ridership were greater at other agencies in the Los Angeles region. BBB was following regional trends but appears to be reversing slightly, perhaps due to TAP, NextBus, route changes or other regional forces, such as higher employment and/or fuel costs, encouraging an uptick.
The City launched a few pass programs to increase affordability and accessibility. The City partnered with Metro to launch LIFE (Low Income Fare is Easy) pass that provides monthly fare subsidy benefits to eligible riders for transit pass purchases. Eligible riders include adult Regular riders, Senior/Disabled/Medicare (S/D/M), K-12 students, and College/Vocational students who are pre-qualified by a participating community-based agency. Reduced-Fare customers (i.e. S/D/M, K-12 students, and College/Vocations students) need to present a reduced-fare TAP card.
In 2021, the City partnered with Metro to launch GoPass for students K-12 and community colleges to commute to school by Big Blue Bus or Metro fare-free.
In 2018, Big Blue Bus and WISE & Healthy Aging have partnered with Lyft to introduce Mobility On Demand Every Day (MODE), the City of Santa Monica's shared-ride service for older adults and persons with disabilities. The MODE program provides members with greater options for freedom and mobility, by offering curb-to-curb, on-demand transportation, convenient payments, and much more. Since COVID, the MODE program had been paused. Now that Lyft is allowing shared rides, service will be resuming soon.
Big Blue Bus Ridership
This indicator measures total annual passengers on Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus.
What can I do?
- Look up your public transit options on the Big Blue Bus .
- Learn more about LIFE (Low Income Fare is Easy) pass
- Learn more about the GoPass (K-12 Students)
- Learn more about the MODE (Mobility On-Demand Every Day) Program