SR-1000-002-06 (3)
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SEP I 3 2005
BBB:SN:transitshare\council\councilltem - Bus Only Ordinance
Council Meeting: September 13, 2005
Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Adding to the Municipal Code relating to parking and traffic restrictions
along Lincoln Boulevard for the creation of a bus-only lane during peak
traffic periods
Introduction
The attached proposed ordinance would create parking and traffic restrictions allowing for
the creation of peak-hour bus-only lanes on Lincoln Boulevard. The restrictions would apply
on weekdays only, and prohibit parking on the east side of Lincoln Boulevard from 7 a.m. to
10 a.m. between the south city limit and Grant Street, and on the west side of the street
from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. between Pico Boulevard and the south city limit. As the affected lane
is a state highway, these restrictions must be approved by the State of California,
Department of Transportation (Caltrans) before implementation. The ordinance is
presented to the City Council for first reading.
Backoround
The number of automobiles using the Lincoln corridor, future development, and limited
roadway width indicate the need for a new, more effective transit service on Lincoln
Boulevard as a viable alternative to auto use. Average vehicle speed during the evening
rush hour is six miles per hour between Pico and Washington Boulevards. This issue was
studied by the Lincoln Corridor Task Force comprised of staff from Caltrans, City of Los
Angeles, Culver City, Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, the California Coastal
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SEP I 3 .2005
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Commission and a citizen's advisory committee, including representatives from Santa
Monica. The task force recommendations included the expansion of public transportation
by adding bus-only lanes as the only sustainable and cost effective option to the extremely
congested traffic conditions that currently exist on this roadway.
On June 27, 2005, the Big Blue Bus (BBB) began a new type of public transportation
service known as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), called Rapid 3. The line operates primarily on
Lincoln Boulevard connecting downtown Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, LAX
Transit Center and the Metro Green Line at Aviation Station. The Rapid 3 complements
the local Big Blue Bus Line 3 which has been one of the most productive and highly used
lines moving over 11,400 passengers daily.
National and local studies concur that people are more likely to use transit if service is
frequent and at least as fast as auto travel. The Rapid 3 utilizes bus rapid transit features
including limited stops, low floor buses, signal priority and new bus shelters that all lead to
faster service. Bus-only lanes are the single most important factor in creating the speed
and reliability that attracts riders to this kind of service and are vital to success. Bus-only
lanes are the only means of providing the public with a reliable travel time along a corridor
characterized by highly unpredictable levels of traffic congestion.
A peak-hour exclusive lane for buses on Lincoln Boulevard will benefit transit users by
reducing travel times by as much as 20 minutes on a one-way trip, allowing the BBS to
offer more frequent service and to attract more passengers at no additional cost. Motorists
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will also benefit by the separation of buses from general traffic lanes and a shift on the part
of some commuters from driving to transit.
Discussion
Implementation of a bus-only lane requires an ordinance to prohibit parking and stopping
on the northbound side of Lincoln Boulevard from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. between the south
municipal boundary and Grant Street, and on the southbound side of the street from 4 p.m.
to 7 p.m. between Pico Boulevard and the south municipal boundary. The ordinance would
designate the lane adjacent to the curb, including the marked parking spaces, as a bus
lane during the hours of parking prohibition. The ordinance would also specify that transit
buses, City and County dial-a-ride vans, and CPUC registered passenger carriers would be
the only vehicles authorized to use the lane.
With BBB operating every 7 % minutes in each direction, there will be capacity on the lane
for additional high occupancy vehicles in these categories which include the Santa
Monica/WISE Dial-a-Ride and airport shuttle vans operated by private companies. An
advantage of including CPUC vehicles is that they make pre-arranged passenger pick-ups
and are authorized to take multiple fare rather than individual fare parties, ensuring that the
lane will be highly productive in terms of the total number of people and the diversity of
travel markets served. Standardized exterior identification makes these vehicles readily
identifiable to law enforcement officers. Adequate vehicle capacity on the lane will be
reserved in the event that funding becomes available to operate more frequent BBB
service.
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Signs alerting motorists of the bus lane will be posted prior to the beginning of the bus lane,
and pavement decals and mounted signs in each block will notify motorists that use of the
lane is for transit and CPUC vehicles only. Posted signs on each block and individual signs
on all parking meters will specify the days and hours of the parking prohibition. A solid
white line on the pavement will delineate the lane. The ordinance would include a provision
for non-authorized vehicles to use the lane to make right turns. A dashed white line at the
approach to an intersection will notify motorists where they are permitted to begin a right
turn maneuver. Parking enforcement, towing of parked vehicles, and the issuance of
moving violation citations will be managed by the Police Department.
The segment of Lincoln Boulevard where the bus lane would be in effect is under the
control of Caltrans which has submitted a letter of unqualified support for the project.
Caltrans is also the lead agency in determining the appropriate level of review required by
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
An extensive research and public outreach campaign was undertaken by Big Blue Bus and
Planning and Community Development staff to obtain community input on establishing the
bus-only lanes. The elements of the campaign and results are as follows:
· A detailed parking utilization survey was conducted evaluating the effect of the
proposed parking restrictions. The findings show that with the restrictions in place
ample parking at metered spaces in commercial areas would be available on adjacent
cross streets.
· A mailing announcing three community meetings was sent to 1,200 businesses and
residents most affected by the proposed change. From the mailing, five responses
were received, all of them supportive of the bus-only lane; and three people attended
the community meetings, all supportive of the project.
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· Individual outreach to businesses along Lincoln Boulevard found there were no issues
or problems with the bus-only lanes. A child care center raised concerns regarding
morning drop off and the Transportation Management Division is working with them to
address their concerns.
· A second mailing to over 3,600 residents and businesses announced two additional
public meetings. Ten business oWners and residents attended these two meetings on
July 14th and the majority was supportive of the project. Three business owners voiced
a complaint about the proposal; Transportation Management and BBB staff are working
on mitigation efforts with them in the near future.
· Individual outreach to the businesses most affected by the parking changes began
July 28th. 96 businesses have been contacted by the outreach specialist. 25% of them
voiced support for the project, 19% voiced concern over the project but had no specific
issue to be resolved, 48% did not respond to calls, 5% said they were neutral on the
issue, and 3% (two businesses) had specific concerns that are being mitigated.
· Letters of support from businesses, individuals, and community groups have been
received and include letters from Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau,
Caltrans, Los Angeles County, and Ocean Park Association.
SudQetlFinancial Impact
Caltrans has agreed to install the necessary street signs at no cost to the City of Santa
Monica. There is no anticipated reduction in parking revenue as meters currently exist on
side streets where cars will park when spots on Lincoln are not available. The
manufacturing of street signs and pavement decals will be borne by the BSS. Funds are
available in Bus Stop Amenities CIP# C41 0114.589000.
Recommendation
It is respectfully recommended that the attached ordinance be introduced for first reading.
Prepared by:
Marsha Moutrie, City Attorney
Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Services
Joe Stitcher, Assistant Director of Transit Services
Dan Dawson, Transit Customer Relations Manager (Acting)
Paul Casey, Senior Transit Analyst
Attachment:
Ordinance
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F :\atty\muni\laws\mjm\transitlanes .doc
City Council Meeting 9-13-05
Santa Monica, California
ORDINANCE NUMBER
(CCS)
(City Council Series)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA MONICA AMENDING SANTA MONICA MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 3.12.675
RELATING TO TRANSIT LANES
WHEREAS, traffic congestion on Lincoln Boulevard impairs public health and
welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Lincoln Boulevard Taskforce, including representatives from
Santa Monica, other cities, Los Angeles County, the state, and citizen groups, has
studied traffic congestion on Lincoln Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, the Taskforce has recommended the creation of transit lanes on
Lincoln Boulevard to ease congestion; and
WHEREAS, Santa Monica supports mass transit as a means of improving public
health, safety and welfare; and
WHEREAS, National and local studies have shown that people are more likely to
use transit if service is frequent and at least as fast as auto travel; and
WHEREAS, creation of transit lanes on Lincoln Boulevard will reduce travel time
on travel carriers using that route, benefit motorists by separating transit carriers from
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general traffic lanes during peak periods, and increase the likelihood of motorists
choosing to use transit services,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 3.12.675 is hereby amended
to read as follows:
3.12.675 Transit mall traffic restrictions lanes.
The Parking and Traffic Engineer may designate
specified lanes of traffic for transit service as follows:
(a) Lanes on Santa Monica Boulevard and Broadway
between Ocean Avenue and Fifth Street may be designated
for use by public transit buses only.
(b) Parking on Lincoln Boulevard may be restricted to
create transit lanes for use by: (1) public transit buses; (2)
dial-a-ride vans; and (3) charter party carriers and passenoer
staoes operatino pursuant to state licenses or permits.
However. dial-a-ride vans. charter Dartv carriers and
passenqer staqes may only use transit lanes if they have at
least two passenqers on board and may not make
passenqer stops within the transit lane.
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SECTION 2. Any provision of the Santa Monica Municipal Code or appendices
thereto inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, to the extent of such
inconsistencies and no further, is hereby repealed or modified to that extent necessary
to effect the provisions of this Ordinance.
SECTION 3. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this
Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any
court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would
have passed this Ordinance and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause,
or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion
of the ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 4. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall attest to the passage
of this Ordinance. The City Clerk shall cause the same to be published once in the
official newspaper within 15 days after its adoption. This Ordinance shall become
effective 30 days from its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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