As the need for additional Metro and Blue lines increases, the Los Angeles Metro and the Santa Monica Blue Bus’ are meeting their ridership challenges, and at the same time creating new and improved transit gateways.

Over 300 Big Blue Bus transit stops and shelters will be redesigned with the following taken into consideration:

• Create an enhanced streetscape
• A design that will take into account physical constraints of the streets
• Allow for maximum visibility to businesses and signage located behind it
• Will feature alternative energy when possible such as solar technology
• Will be as impervious to vandalism as is feasible.
• Offers easily readable and well-designed trip information
• Is simple and cost effective to maintain and service
• Adheres to ADA regulations
• Allows for the most current & future technologies    Source: Big Blue Bus

Indeed, the days of colorless and pale non-familiar looking posters on an isolated bus bench is so yesterday. Currently the outdoor market is the only ‘old’ media segment showing growth in both mature and emerging markets.

Outdoor advertising has come into its own in the past few years. The insides of buses have their own digital video televisions, and music. On the outside, they’re frequently the new painted medium for the latest movie or television shows. Meanwhile bus shelters have become more and more lucrative for advertising and marketing because consumers are spending more time outside the home.

Easily using the Metro’s online tools, finding the best navigation to get to my destination for my recent trip to Union Station was no big deal. Union Station itself is a major bus and train stop, so taking the bus there seemed easy enough and it was.

To get there, the Metro’s interactive website recommended Big Blue’s number 10 bus. The attractiveness of riding on the 10 Express is that it affords the residents of Santa Monica and West LA the ability to travel to downtown faster because it rides non-stop on the 10 freeway, and its return drops them off at their original departure point.

For a total round trip cost of $3.50, you can’t do better, especially with gas prices on the rise again. Indeed, the price of a gallon of gas is almost at parity with the Express bus fare.

Here in town, image is everything and it’s all about staying cool in the shade and elsewhere.

And now that the Big Blue is modernizing its bus stops, visiting the places that make our town unique and interesting, makes Travelin’ Local effortless. And with the addition of a shaded bus stop, it’s now more comfortable, enjoyable, and easier than ever.

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!