Maps showing the new and the old routes will be displayed when obtained.

Venetians filled the auditorium and then told Councilman Mike Bonin, who hosted the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus transit forum, that there had been no outreach, that this new, imposed bus routing was not safe, that it was inadequate, and it was not in the best interest of Venice residents. Venetians had not had the opportunity to provide any input and they did not like the outcome.

Bonin said the change to the bus line was to accommodate Venice and Marina del Rey residents who wanted to use the Expo line that will open in Santa Monica. By the end of the program Bonin said the transit people should rethink and do an outreach to the people of Venice who are affected. It appeared that this new routing had already passed the City Council of Santa Monica and was in operation and had been since 21 February.

The Westminster auditorium was filled with dissidents who had heard of the meet by word of mouth. Many spoke.

Carolyn Rios said it was great “regional planning, but poor local planning.” Students were now without a close bus for going to school.

One senior citizen did not know how to get to drug store to fill her prescription.

Others had a presentation or presented their own arguments that the new routes chosen, such as Ocean and 4th were unsafe and not thought out as far as emergency vehicle accommodation, road width, traffic, and safety for citizens.

Barbara Gibson mentioned that the corner of Rose and 4th would loose all parking on one corner to accommodate the bus. To lose all parking in front of an older building, leaves residents without parking in proximity to their residence.

The Santa Monica Big Blue Bus is a municipal bus operator in the Westside region of Los Angeles County. It provides local and bus rapid transit service in Santa Monica and adjacent neighborhoods of Los Angeles (including LAX). Express service is also provided to Downtown Los Angeles and Union Station.