SR-1000-001-08 (2)
BBB:SN:JS:PC:\trans\admin\council\ServiceModifications022503.doc
Council Meeting: February 25, 2003 Santa Monica, California
TO:Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Approval of Big Blue Bus Service Modifications, Including a Reduction in
Tide Service
INTRODUCTION
This report requests that the City Council adopt a modification in the operating hours of
the TIDE shuttle and minor schedule adjustments to other Big Blue Bus lines. If
approved, schedule adjustments are proposed to take effect March 9, 2003.
BACKGROUND
The TIDE Shuttle has been operating since 1993 as a supplement to Big Blue Bus
Lines 1 and 2, connecting downtown Santa Monica, the Pier, several major hotels and
Main Street. The annual operating cost of the service is $566,000 of which $373,000
(66 percent) is paid for by the Big Blue Bus. Sponsoring hotels pay the remaining
$193,000 (34 percent) as a requirement of their development entitlements.
The TIDE has been continuously promoted by on-screen advertisements at the AMC
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movie theatre on the 3 Street Promenade, the concierge and printed brochures at the
sponsoring hotels, the web sites for the Big Blue Bus and various City sponsored events
that are periodically held along the route, by colorful information panels at the Transit
Mall stops, and by the electric buses covered in distinctive graphics.
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DISCUSSION
TIDE service after 10:00 p.m. was added five years ago in an attempt to increase
ridership. Currently, buses begin service at noon every day, and operate until 10:00
p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Recent
onboard surveys indicate that trips after 8:00 p.m. have very low productivity, with an
average of 6 passengers per vehicle service hour. This compares with 12 passengers
per vehicle service hour during the rest of the service day. Elimination of these trips
should not have negative impacts on TIDE customers since Line 1 and Line 2 will
continue to operate late service from Downtown to Main Street seven days a week, with
Line 2 operating until 11:15 p.m. and Line 1 until midnight. The proposed adjustments
will result in a reduction of 40 vehicle hours per week. This represents 17 percent of the
weekly Tide service hours and an annualized savings in operating costs of $108,000.
Recent on-board surveys have determined that on Line 2 – Wilshire Blvd., Line 5 -
Century City, Line 8 – Ocean Park Blvd., Line 9 – Pacific Palisades, either the first or
last scheduled trip of the service day has an average of one passenger, or none at all.
Elimination of these trips represent an additional $49,000 in annualized operating costs,
for at total reduction of approximately 2,170 annualized service hours.
FINANCIAL/BUDGETARY
The total annualized savings in operating expenses is estimated to be $157,000. These
resources will be redeployed on routes that have been identified as severely
overcrowded at certain times and days of the week. The net result will be no significant
change in transit system service hours or costs.
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize reduced service hours for the TIDE
Shuttle, from noon to 8:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from noon to 10:00 p.m.,
Friday and Saturday, and elimination of some early and late trips on Lines 2, 5, 8, and 9
effective March 9, 2003.
Prepared by: Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Services
Joe Stitcher, Manager of Customer Relations
Paul T. Casey, Senior Transit Programs Analyst
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