Goals
● Create a multi-modal transportation system that minimizes and, where possible, eliminates pollution and motor vehicle congestion while ensuring safe mobility and access for all without compromising our ability to protect public health and safety.
● Facilitate a reduction in automobile dependency in favor of affordable alternative, sustainable modes of travel.

How are we doing? 
  

Santa Monica has been a leading advocate for regional transportation planning, including the Exposition Line Light Rail which is an important part of the overall regional strategy to enhance mobility and relieve congestion. The city continues to increase Average Vehicle Ridership by encouraging ridesharing among larger employers.  In fact, the current Average Vehicle Ridership of 1.59 exceeds the Sustainable City Plan target of 1.5. Ridership remains strong on the award-winning Big Blue Bus transit system, which is now almost 100% alternatively fueled.  The environmentally friendly Mini Blue was launched this year to meet community transit needs. The new bike valet service parked 16,310 bikes last year for free, thus reducing vehicle traffic and emissions while improving air quality and safety in pedestrian walk areas. Additionally, more than 80% of the city’s municipal fleet is fueled by alternative fuels.  However, traffic and congestion remain significant issues in the community and the current network of bicycle lanes and paths are inadequate to meet the Sustainable City Plan targets. Converting greater numbers of people to more sustainable modes of transit has had limited success in offsetting the impacts of increased tourism, commuter traffic and construction of parking lots downtown. The grade improvement reflects the increases in Average Vehicle Ridership, the use of alternative fuels in the municipal fleet, the incentives for bicycling as an alternative to car use, and the commitment to regional transportation solutions.