Big Blue Bus Wins Again

By Teresa Rochester

They're big. They're blue. They're Santa Monica's buses and for the fourth time since 1987 they have been ranked the best in the country.

The Big Blue Bus system was honored Tuesday in San Francisco as the best bus system serving 4 million to 30 million riders by the American Public Transportation Association. Director John Catoe -- along with a bus driver, mechanic and two other employees -- accepted the award at a ceremony in San Francisco.

"I feel wonderful," Catoe said of the honor. "It reflects the commitment of the employees of this service."

The Big Blue Bus, which consists of a 166-bus fleet, was judged on efficiency and quality, consistently earning a near perfect customer satisfaction rating. Marketing, employee development and safety training also garnered high marks by the association.

The bus system, which operates on an annual budget of $30 million, has a 97 percent on-time record, charges riders an unprecedented 50 cents and has more than 21 million riders a year.

Also honored was employee Alva Carrasco. Carrasco won a $2,500 scholarship from the association for an essay she wrote. The Santa Monica resident has worked her way through the ranks of the Big Blue Bus and recently went back to college to finish her degree, which she began working toward at Santa Monica College.

"She's really a shining light," Catoe said.

In the two weeks since Metropolitan Transportation Authority drivers went on strike, the Big Blue Bus has seen a surge in riders on its 10 line, which runs from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica and on the Pico Boulevard line.

Catoe said additional buses have been put on those routes and that riders on the 10 line have more than doubled. The line has been adjusted to follow the MTA's route.

"We're putting everything we have on the street," he said.

The Big Blue Bus also has been honoring MTA bus passes. Since the strike began 89,000 riders have used their MTA passes. Catoe said the Big Blue Bus will be reimbursed for the cost.