Politics & Government
Council Advances Weekend Shuttle Program
The city moves a step closer to implementing an entertainment shuttle service.
The West Hollywood City Council furthered plans Monday for a weekend entertainment shuttle on Santa Monica Boulevard.
Council members voted 4-0, with Mayor Pro Tempore John D'Amico abstaining, to pay Symblaze Inc. $17,000 to brand and market the pilot program.
The council also opened the bidding process for shuttle service providers with the goal of starting the program in July, according to a city staff report.
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Staff didn't specify what type of vehicle the shuttles will be because "in some very preliminary conversations that we've had with companies that do provide this type of service, they have expressed a little concern that the shuttle would be a program for only two nights out of the seven and are ... wary of making commitments of their fleet in those regards without paying a higher premium," said Jeffrey Huffer, the city's economic development manger.
Officials have so far considered vehicle options including trolleys, open-air buses and West Hollywood's Cityline shuttles.
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In April the council established a six-month term for the pilot program running two shuttles on Friday and Saturday nights from 8 p.m.-3 a.m., according to the staff report. The free service is designed to have 15-minute headways utilizing existing bus stops.
Council members also approved a route along Santa Monica Boulevard from Fairfax Avenue to Doheny Drive.
Staff estimates the program will cost $31,000 per vehicle.