Officials attributed the increase to expanded outreach efforts, including educational workshops, on-site application assistance and wellness events
Big Blue Bus’s Mobility On-Demand Every Day program reached a post-pandemic ridership milestone last fall and is expanding service hours to improve transportation access for seniors and adults with disabilities, city officials announced.
The MODE program provided more than 5,000 rides in October, the highest monthly total since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the city.
Officials attributed the increase to expanded outreach efforts, including educational workshops, on-site application assistance and wellness events that reached hundreds of eligible residents.
In response to the growth, Big Blue Bus has extended MODE service hours on weekdays and weekends and reinstated Sunday service, changes aimed at making the program more flexible and accessible.
Weekday and Saturday service hours have been extended to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., while Sunday service has been restored with the same hours. The MODE Call Center’s hours were also expanded to match service availability seven days a week.
MODE, launched in 2018, is operated through a partnership between Big Blue Bus and Lyft. The program offers discounted, on-demand rides in sedan and wheelchair-accessible vehicles for Santa Monica residents ages 65 and older and adults with disabilities.
City officials said more than 2,200 active MODE members take over 41,000 trips annually for destinations including grocery stores, medical appointments and social activities. Trips can be booked through the Lyft app or by phone through the MODE Call Center.
Rides cost $1.50 per trip, or $0.75 for eligible low-income riders.
“Big Blue Bus is proud to partner with Lyft to expand the MODE program, enhancing mobility and independence for Santa Monica residents,” said Anuj Gupta, the city’s director of transportation. “Affordable, accessible transportation enables older adults and individuals with disabilities to connect to essential destinations and remain engaged in their community.”
