Santa Monica Celebrates Life Without a Car

September 11, 2024 -- Santa Monica students can hop a Big Blue Bus (BBB) for free during Bike It! Walk It! Bus It! week, from September 30 to October 4, transit officials announced Wednesday.

Over the same five days, motorists can take the Week Without Driving challenge by ditching their cars during SoCal Transit Week.

Bike It! Walk It! Bus It! "encourages K-12 students and their families to choose eco-friendly transportation options, such as biking, walking, or using public transit," officials said.

For free BBB rides, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) students only need to show the driver a valid school ID.

Students who don’t have one can use a current report card, class schedule or an official letter from their school verifying enrollment, officials said.

During SoCal Transit Week, motorists are encouraged to "forgo driving and let Big Blue Bus take you where you need to go."

"Whether it’s work, school, errands, or social gatherings, Big Blue Bus offers an affordable, sustainable, and convenient alternative to driving," transit officials said.

SoCal Transit Week is a collaborative effort between MoveLA, America Walks and Week Without Driving to "promote sustainable and equitable transportation alternatives."

Passengers can share their experience on social media using the hashtags #weekwithoutdriving #bigbluebus #socaltransitweek.

To celebrate the 7th annual California Clean Air Day on Wednesday, October 2, Big Blue Bus will offer free rides to everyone.

The statewide initiative sponsored by the Coalition for Clean Air "highlights how individual actions can positively impact the health of our communities and environment," officials said.

"By choosing a sustainable transportation option like Big Blue Bus’s Zero Emissions fleet, you can help reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution."

BBB plans to convert its entire renewable natural gas fleet to zero-emission vehicles by 2030 and is completing enhancements to support on-site charging for nearly 200 vehicles.

"Reducing gas consumption by just one gallon prevents 20 pounds of harmful greenhouse gas emissions from being released into the atmosphere," transit officials said.