March 26, 2013 -- The Los Angeles County bomb squad was called out to investigate a suspicious package aboard one of Santa Monica's buses Monday morning, only to find that it was a prop left over from a weekend training exercise.

“At approximately 7:00 a.m. this morning, a Big Blue Bus rider reported a 'suspicious package' to their bus operator on Route 7 traveling on Pico Blvd,” Big Blue Bus officials said.

After the passenger reported the package, the driver called the dispatch and was informed that it was a prop, officials said.

Passengers were evacuated from the bus, however, because protocol required that the bomb squad respond to any reports of a suspicious package on a bus while on a public street, according to officials.

“The L.A. County Sheriff’s bomb squad responded promptly and cleared the vehicle to resume regular service,” officials said. “The bomb squad confirmed that there was no danger to life or property at any time.”

The prop was one of four placed on buses over the weekend for a training exercise, according to officials.

Two of the four props were removed during the weekend training.

“In addition to the one reported by the Route 7 rider, another prop was removed from a Route 14 bus while in service on Culver Blvd. at Venice Blvd,” officials said.

“The Big Blue Bus deeply regrets the inconvenience and concern caused by today’s incident,” said Suja Lowenthal, Government & Community Relations Manager for the Big Blue Bus.

“We are grateful to our riders for being so alert and speaking up,” she said. “We also extend our appreciation to L.A. County safety officials for their support in reassuring all riders that the buses are safe for regular service.”