West Hollywood’s PickUp Line, the free weekend shuttle along Santa Monica Boulevard, may get a new lease on life. The city’s contract with American GTS to rent and operate the shuttle, expires Dec. 28. But the City Council Monday asked City Manager Paul Arevalo to look into the possibility of extending that contract on a month-by-month basis while the city evaluates its success.
Begun as a six-month pilot program in August, the PickUp Line which runs in 15 minute intervals from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights along Santa Monica Boulevard between Fairfax Avenue and Robertson Boulevard, has seen 1,200 to 1,400 riders per weekend according to a staff report. It has become popular with visitors to the gay bars and restaurants on the city’s Westside.
A detailed report on ridership and costs is due in early 2014, but in the meantime the city doesn’t want to lose momentum by shutting it down even for a single weekend. Thus, the request to investigate continuing it on a month-by-month basis. The council may also opt to run shuttles on Thursday nights and Sunday afternoons and to extend the line to include Sunset Boulevard.
The city paid $71,000 to American GTS to rent and operate two trolleys until the end of the year and another $25,000 for marketing.
@Chloe, I only use the trolley occasionally because I’m only out at the bars occasionally. By the ridership counts listed seems as there are many people riding it either occasionally, rarely or frequently.
I agree with expanding this to Sunday afternoons. I’m more likely to be out and wanting to go between Marix, Marcos and the Abbey.
Expansion to the Strip makes sense as long as the wait times don’t increase. My biggest complaint with the trolley is that the waits are pretty long.
Sunday afternoons would be great! And running at 7pm would be better on the weekend. Loved riding it for the first time last night as it was freezing outside and went to the other bars down by Crescent Heights. Possibly stopping right in front of Fubar would have been better so was a little confused by it turning to go up Crescent Heights and then walking down from there. Also a little suggestion box would give riders another chance (as well as a stop guide) to give their feedback into what would work out for them and why they take… Read more »
My local friends and I love the trolley and ride it almost every weekend. It makes for a fun rider experience, provides bar discounts and makes enjoying a night out on the Boulevard a lot more fun. I’ve actually made friends on the trolley that I wouldn’t have met otherwise! I agree that there should be expanded service on Thursdays and Sundays, both very popular in WeHo. We’d also like to see a coach or two added to increase frequency, which can be a little slow at times. As far as the Sunset Strip goes, they should have their own… Read more »
Thank you to everyone who supported the WeHo Trolley which is a concept that I came up with. After creating a petition on change.org my friends & I were able to make this happen with the support of John Duran. The WeHo PickUp Line takes drunk drivers off the road, reduces congestion & frees up parking. I’d like to thank Ben Coleman, Sheila Lightfoot & everyone who signed my petition over two year ago. This is one example of many great things I hope to accomplish for my friends & family here in West Hollywood. #Vote4Lucas
People love the Trolley. Keep it going. Thursdays and Sundays would be terrific, but don’t let it go to Sunset. Keep the trolley for its intended purpose, the gay bars on SMB.
Well occasional free riders are what will keep it relevant.
Keep it. The pickup is a great attraction in its own right, which separates it from Metro. I know many people who are fans and ride it occasionally including me.