LooAo..... Coo"'Y One Gateway Plaza 213.922.2000 Tel ® , CA 90012-2952 metro. net MetroM ...... _...... ,

SYSTEM SAFETY AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 20,2014

SUBJECT: EXPO PHASE 2 TRANSIT CONNECTIVITY

ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE INFORMATION dN EFFORTS TOWARDS EXPO PHASE 2 CONNECTIVITY OF BUS AND RAIL SERVICES

RECOMMENDATION

Receive and file information on efforts to coordinate transit services with and Culver City Transit as related to Expo Phase 2.

ISSUE

Presentation of findings and recommendations of Motion 64 - Expo Phase 2 Transit Connectivity; as directed by Directors Bonin, O'Connor, and Ridley-Thomas.

BACKGROUND

Motion 64 - Expo Phase 2 Transit Connectivity (Attachment A) was approved by the Metro Board of Directors during the October 2013 meeting. In summary, the motion directed the CEO to convene a working group with Big Blue Bus and Culver City Bus to:

• Identify existing bus routes that will service Expo Phase 2 rail stations; • Evaluate how these routes and schedules can be augmented to seamlessly integrate bus service with the new rail line; and • Explore other methods for improving transit connections to the rail stations, such as way finding, signage and bus stop location.

Staff was directed to return to the February 2014 Board meeting with findings and recommendations from the working group.

DISCUSSION

The extension of Expo Rail from to downtown Santa Monica will add seven new stations. All of the new stations except downtown Santa Monica are served exclusively either by Culver City Bus (CCB) or Big Blue Bus (BBB). Both systems provide ample connection options, most serving north/south corridors that cross the Expo Line. The Expo Line extension, combined with connecting bus service, will provide new transportation links to , UCLA, Palms, West LA College, two campuses of Santa Monica College, Brentwood, Westwood and Culver City.

Existing Bus Routes to Connect with New Expo Stations

The following is an inventory of existing bus routes that are recommended to be adjusted to serve the new Expo Phase 2 rail stations:

Palms Station - Big Blue Bus

Line 6 - Santa Monica College Commuter This line already serves the Culver City Station, and will also stop at the , then proceed west to UCLA student housing, as well as Santa Monica College (SMC) Bundy Dr and Pico Bl campuses. This line may be reconfigured to better service Palms Station and the neighborhoods to the west.

Line 12 and 12 - Westwood and Palms Connecting UCLA to via Westwood Bl, these lines currently serve the Culver City Station, and will also serve the new Westwood Station. Big Blue Bus is examining the best way to utilize resources in this area and may consider a reroute of Line 5 to this station, or another possible connection between this station and Century City.

Westwood/Rancho Park Station - Big Blue Bus and Culver City Bus

BBB Line 8 - Ocean Park/Westwood Bls This line begins in downtown Santa Monica, and continues south along Main St, east on Ocean Park Bl, National Bl, and north on Westwood to UCLA.

BBB Line 12 and Rapid 12 - Westwood and Palms Connecting UCLA to West Los Angeles via Westwood Bl, these lines currently serve the Culver City Station, and will also serve the Palms Station. These lines are expected to draw substantial passenger traffic from the north due to the presence of UCLA necessitating the layover and turning of some buses at or near the station. CCB Line 3 - Century City to West LA College This line begins in Century City and serves Palms, Sony Studios, downtown Culver City and West LA College.

Sepulveda Station - Big Blue Bus and Culver City Bus

BBB Line 4 - San Vicente Bl and Carlyle Av Connecting downtown Santa Monica to the Westside Pavilion via Brentwood, VA Hospital and Sawtelle Bl. This line may terminate at this station.

EXPO Phase 2 Transit Connectivity Page3 BBB Line 7 and Rapid 7 - Pico Bl Operating from downtown Santa Monica via Pico Bl to Mid-City, both lines will serve the corner of Pico and Sepulveda Bls, one half block from the .

Sawtelle Bl- Big Blue Bus may establish a new line on Sawtelle south of the station, a corridor not currently serviced by bus.

CCB Line 6 and Rapid 6 Beginning in Westwood, this line operates south on Sepulveda Bl to LAX and terminates at the Aviation Green Line Station.

Bundy Station - Big Blue Bus

Line 5 - This line passes Bundy Station on Olympic Bl.

Line 14- Bundy Dr and Centinela Av This line operates along Bundy Dr and Centinela Av through West Los Angeles.

Barrington Av- Big Blue Bus may establish a new line on Barrington Av along the parts of the corridor not currently serviced by bus.

1 26 h St/Bergamont Station - Big Blue Bus

Line 5 - Olympic Bl This line begins at the Expo Culver City Station and continues north to Century City, Olympic Bl to downtown Santa Monica.

Big Blue Bus will establish additional North-South Corridor service to connect neighborhoods South of Pico and North of Colorado to this station. Some of these corridors include:

26th St - Big Blue Bus may establish a new line on 26th St.

23rd St - Big Blue Bus may establish a new line on 23rd St.

Centinela Av - Big Blue Bus may establish a new line on 23rd St.

Memorial Park/SMC Station - Big Blue Bus

Crosstown Line- This line currently runs a one way loop, passing the station on 14th St at Colorado Av, and 20th Stat Colorado Av. This line is expected to be deviated to facilitate station connections, and may be altered to a bi-directional loop or divided into two routes.

EXPO Phase 2 Transit Connectivity Page4 Line 5 - Olympic Bl This line begins at the Expo Culver City Station and continues north to Century City, Olympic Bl to downtown Santa Monica.

Line 6 - Santa Monica College Commuter.

Sunset Line - Operating from SMC Bundy Campus via Ocean Park Bl to the Main SMC Campus on Pico Bl, possible route extension to the .

Santa Monica College Shuttle- The stop in front of Santa Monica College is currently the busiest bus stop in the Big Blue Bus system. BBB and SMC are currently collaborating on the implementation of a new shuttle route that will provide direct service to the campus from this station. A layover on 17th St has been identified.

BBB and SMC are currently collaborating on the implementation of a new shuttle route that will provide direct service to the campus from this station. A layover on 17th St has been identified.

Downtown Santa Monica

Located on Colorado Av between 4th and 5th sts, the terminus station will be served mostly by most Big Blue Bus lines and Metro regional lines ending in Santa Monica. Beginning at 4th St, Colorado Av will be transformed west to Ocean Av, changing from a two way to one-way westbound direction street, providing a walking path and bicycle lane leading to the Santa Monica Pier.

Metro Lines

Note - lines only serve Santa Monica during late night/owl hours, and when lines are not operating on weekends. Big Blue Bus operates local service from Westwood to Santa Monica. Line 4 - to Santa Monica (late night/owl) via Santa Monica Bl. Line 20 - Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica (late night/owl) via Wilshire Bl. Line 33 - Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica (late night/owl) via Venice Bl. Line 704 - Rapid service from Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica via Santa Monica Bl. Line 720 - Rapid service from Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica via Wilshire Bl. Line 733 - Rapid service from Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica via Venice Bl.

Big Blue Bus Lines Approximately 120 buses per hour are currently scheduled to pass within close proximity of this station in weekday peak hours. As a result, this station is expected to have a significant bus rail interface. Line 1-Wilshire Bl from Westwood to Downtown Santa Monica. Line 2 - Santa Monica Bl from Westwood to Downtown Santa Monica.

EXPO Phase 2 Transit Connectivity Page5 Line 3- Lincoln Bllocal from Aviation Green Line Station to Downtown Santa Monica. Rapid 3- Lincoln Bl rapid from Aviation Green Line Station to Downtown Santa Monica. Line 4 - San Vicente Bl and Carlyle Av connecting Westside Pavilion to Downtown Santa Monica. Line 5 - Culver City Expo Station to Downtown Santa Monica via Century City and Olympic Bl. Line 7 - Pica Bl local. Rapid 7 - Pica Bl rapid. Line 8- Westwood to Downtown Santa Monica via Ocean Park Bl. Line 9- Pacific Palisades to Downtown Santa Monica via Sunset Bl, Temescal Canyon and ih St. Rapid 10 - Express service from Downtown Los Angeles to Downtown Santa Monica via 1-10 Fwy, Bundy Dr and Santa Monica Bl.

Integrating Existing Service with Expo Phase 2

The planning process for integrating bus and rail services is underway. During the spring and summer of 2013, nine meetings between Culver City Bus, Big Blue Bus, LA Metro Bus, Expo Authority, LADOT, and other stakeholders were held to discuss bus/rail integration at the Expo Phase II stations. Attachment B list Expo Phase 2 stations that were identified by Big Blue Bus and Culver City Bus as needing further study and potential modifications for adequate bus/rail interface. Some of the listed items may change, depending on how Big Blue Bus finalizes its bus/rail interface plan.

Beginning in March of 2013, Big Blue Bus began meeting on a monthly basis to discuss issues surrounding bus/rail integration at the three Santa Monica station sites with a variety of City of Santa Monica stakeholders. Big Blue Bus provided input to Bergamot Area Plan, the Memorial Park Neighborhood Plan, and the Downtown Specific Plan, and is working through routing issues. Big Blue Bus has also convened a separate working group to discuss issues surrounding the Downtown Station exclusively, given its higher level of bus/rail integration.

Bus berthing and layover sites are being developed adjacent to stations, and new emphasis is being placed on ensuring that kiss and ride, hotel shuttles, employer shuttles, ADA Paratransit, taxi, and other uses have adequate space to make transfers that are separate and distinct from the bus stops and adequately sized to handle the expected traffic flow. Monthly meetings between Big Blue Bus and City of Santa Monica stakeholders continue with the Departments of Traffic Engineering, Public Works, and Planning all taking an active role in problem solving under the leadership provided by the City of Santa Monica City Manager's Office.

Big Blue Bus has engaged a team led by Nelson Nygaard Consulting Associates to assist with station integration planning, and is expected to produce a final report with route and schedule recommendations in early 2015. While not completed, the effort to facilitate bus/rail transfers is enjoying strong leadership in Santa Monica, and different design solutions are being considered for the stations within the City of Santa Monica.

EXPO Phase 2 Transit Connectivity Page6 In addition, Culver City Bus is analyzing their Line 6 and Rapid 6 services that serve the Sepulveda Station for possible peak hour tripper service that could operate between the station and UCLA.

Explore Other Methods for Improving Transit Connections

All stations will include illuminated cases with wayfinding displays to support transit connections. In addition, Metro is drafting a proposal for a pilot program to utilize interactive kiosks for system information, trip planning, and wayfinding. Such information systems are being successfully used in other world class transit systems.

In addition, system maps, line maps, destination guides and other print and on line materials will be widely distributed to aid in wayfinding. Data points and wayfinding information for each station will be provided to key third parties such as Google Maps and other trip planning tools.

The City of Santa Monica, in anticipation of the arrival of Expo Rail Phase 2, has applied for, and received, Call for Projects funding for projects that will improve station access for pedestrians, bicyclist, kiss-and-ride and occasional auto users. Below list the project titles and dollar amounts, shown as millions. In the downtown Santa Monica area, the Colorado Ave enhancements will provide signage linkages, a bike lane, and pedestrian access improvements guiding users to Ocean Ave, the Santa Monica Pier and State Beach.

CITY OF SANTA MONICA CALL FOR PROJECTS PROJECT TITLE 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 SUBTOTAL

EXPO LRT COLORADO AVENUE TRANSIT VILLAGE ENHANCEMENTS 225 578 803 Bike Network Linkages to Exposition 45 692 1 320 2 057 BIKESHARE: FIRST AND LAST MILE CONNECTIONS TO EXPO 1 543 1 543 Santa Monica Multi-Modal Travel & Parking System 53 54 558 665 SANTA MONICA SIGNAL SYNC IMPROVEMENTS 541 541 53 1,642 1,250 1,320 225 578 541 5,609

TITLE VI/ ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT

A Title VI and Environment Justice analysis will be conducted on any proposed major service change to Metro services as part of this planning effort.

DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT

The Board of Directors receive and file of information on efforts to enhance connectivity between bus and Expo 2 service presented in this report have no direct impact on the safety of Metro's employees or customers.

EXPO Phase 2 Transit Connectivity Page7 FINANCIAL IMPACT

Any changes to Metro bus service in relations to Expo 2 will be consistent with the Board adopted FY15 budget.

Impact to Budget

Approval of this report is consistent with the FY2014 adopted budget.

ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

If the bus service is not adjusted to connect with Expo 2, the transit network will lack integration, and ridership potential on both bus and rail would decrease making the system less productive and efficient.

NEXT STEPS

Metro, BBB and CCB staff will continue to work together to address connectivity issues with Expo 2. Final recommended changes will be presented to the Board.

Attachments

A: Motion 64- Expo Phase 2 Transit Connectivity B: Expo Phase 2 stations identified for further study

Prepared by: Scott Page, Service Planning Manager Conan Cheung, DEO of Service Planning & Development

Questions: Christopher Reyes, Senior Administrative Analyst, Operations (213) 922-4808

EXPO Phase 2 Transit Connectivity Page 8 Debra A. Johnson Chief Operations Officer

Arthur T. Leahy Chief Executive Officer

EXPO Phase 2 Transit Connectivity Page 9 Attachment A

64 MOTION BY DIRECTORS BONIN, O'CONNOR, RIDLEY-THOMAS EXPO PHASE 2 TRANSIT CONNECTIVITY

Planning and Programming Committee

October 17,2013

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has made great strides in expanding the region's transportation system through improvements to the existing transit system and the construction of new rail projects. However, facilitating car-free passenger connections to the rail system continues to present a challenge. One opportunity for improvement would be to better integrate rail connections with local and regional bus operators by adjusting bus schedules andre­ routing the surrounding bus routes.

Expo Phase 2 is scheduled to be complete in 2015 with seven new stations in West Los Angeles and the City of Santa Monica. CurrenUy, Metro does not operate any north/south bus service that will connect with the four westernmost stations of Expo Phase 2. Culver City Bus and Santa Monica Big Blue Bus currently operate north/south transit service in the area but it is unknown whether existing bus routes should be augmented and/or realigned to better connect transit riders to the Expo Phase 2. It is critical that Metro coordinate their future bus operation plans with Big Blue Bus and Culver City bus to facilitate simple, intuitive connections to the Expo Line

WE THEREFORE MOVE that the Board direct the CEO to convene a working group with Big Blue Bus and Culver City Bus to:

• Identify existing bus routes that will service Expo Phase 2 rail stations • Evaluate how these routes and schedules can be augmented to seamlessly integrate bus service with the new rail line • Explore other methods for improving transit connections to the rail stations, such as wayfinding signage and bus stop location

WE FURTHER MOVE that staff present the findings and recommendations of the working group to the Board for consideration at the February 2014 Board meeting.

EXPO Phase 2 Transit Connectivity Page 10 Attachment B

Station Issues Provided by Big Blue Bus and Culver City Bus

Downtown Santa Monica Station Recently, the City of Santa Monica identified seven new layover locations within one quarter mile of the Downtown Santa Monica Station, and will undertake restriping in early 2014 to make those layovers available to Big Blue Bus. Although there are currently only two bus stops planned for within 500 feet of the station entrance, a working group has been formed to consider expansion of the potential boarding and alighting locations at or near the station. This group will also examine issues surrounding other pick up and drop off activity at the station. Recently a taxi stand was added within the project area of the adjacent Colorado Esplanade project next to the station to ensure that taxis did not interfere with other users.

Memorial Park/Santa Monica College Station Currently there are two bus berthing areas under construction at the station. Big Blue Bus is participating in the Neighborhood Plan Update process, and is providing feedback to planners in order to identify sufficient layover and berthing space for all needed boarding and alighting activity.

26th St/Bergamot Station There are currently two bus berths adjacent to this station site on Olympic Bl. Working with the Bergamot Area Plan working group, Big Blue Bus was able to identify areas for at least two more berths and possible layover space. Big Blue Bus continues to work with the City of Santa Monica and is a participant in the development agreement process. As plans for routing are firmed up over 2014, Big Blue Bus and the City of Santa Monica expect to revisit the issues at this station and make final recommendations on how to proceed to accommodate uses.

Bundy Station, Sepulveda Station, Westwood/Rancho Park Station & Palms Station A lack of adequate layover and berthing locations continues to be an issue at these stations. Also, the lack of facilities designed to accommodate other pick up and drop offs (kiss and ride), ADA paratransit, and other uses may force these activities into the bus stops that are planned, and become a hazard to safe transit operations if not rectified.

The lack of additional appropriate and sufficient layover and berthing locations causes walk distances to increase, inefficient routing to be implemented, and new corridor service ideas to be abandoned. All of these factors in turn suppress passenger traffic and undermine the overlying goals of rail implementation. The lack of progress on siting these activities limits the ability of transit providers to plan for bus rail connectivity improvements.

EXPO Phase 2 Transit Connectivity Page 11 With a lack of high density construction and parking around many of the stations and the presence of numerous worksites and higher density areas just beyond walk distance (the last mile), the Expo Line on the west side will depend heavily on rubber wheeled intermodal connections for its ridership base. While the Expo footprint may be too small to accommodate all of these needs for pick up, drop off and layover space, there is sufficient room on adjacent streets to accommodate this activity.

EXPO Phase 2 Transit Connectivity Page 12