July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Bus Boost: New BBB CNG Vehicles And Ride Attendants For the Elderly:

Santa Monica’s public transport system has been the focus of recent council attention with new funds allocated to improve the city’s services.

New Big Blue CNG Buses

The Santa Monica City Council on Tuesday unanimously authorized an agreement with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (SDMTS) and New Flyer of America, Inc., to assign seven 60-foot low-floor articulated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered buses. The new buses will not only be more environmentally friendly, but will also provide more seating capacity.

The seven buses are set to replace seven of BBB’S NABI buses purchased in 2002 that have been identified for replacement. The new CNG-powered buses are set to increase rider capacity by 126 seats – 18 seats per bus – which will help reduce overcrowding and heighten rider comfort, according to city staff.

The cost of the new transit buses will not exceed $6,825,464 and will be funded using federal or state grants as well as county transit sales tax funds. The total amount includes base bus, delivery, tax, spare parts and contingency.

The purpose of BBB’S piggyback on SDMTS’ contract agreement with New Flyer, is to speed up the purchasing and procuring process, as piggybacking allows an agency to purchase the same equipment through a procurement that it was not originally involved in, city staff said.

Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus (BBB) has developed a capital improvement program that would regulate the replacement of aging buses as they pass their peaks of useful service. The purchase of the new buses is in line with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidelines, as they set the serviceable life of a transit vehicle at 12 years.

More Money for Ride Attendants

Council members at Santa Monica City Council’s Tuesday meeting unanimously voted to continue awarding New Freedom funds through the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) to be used for ride attendant services for older adults and people with disabilities who use public transportation.

A modification to the funding agreement, which extends the term of the agreement due to end Oct. 31, was also approved. Additional federal funds in the amount of $146,544 will go toward WISE & Healthy Aging, a California non-profit organization that operates the Door Through Door ride attendant services that the City of Santa Monica has been utilizing since July 2013.

The city entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with LACMTA last year in order to provide three years of Door Through Door ride attendant services. New Freedom funds paid for the services in Year one, with $30,132 in federal funds awarded to WISE & Healthy Aging.

In April of this year, the city procured New Freedom funds to finance years two and three of service. Alongside the addition of $146,544 in federal funds that will now be awarded to WISE & Healthy Aging, the existing agreement will be modified to extend through years two and three to total in $176,676 in New Freedom funds.

The contract modification and awarding of federal funds was considered financially necessary to continue providing Door Through Door services for the full 36 months proposed in the original application for New Freedom funds.

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...