The Santa Monica Department of Transportation will roll out its new Prohibition Order Program to enhance rider safety and enforce its Customer Code of Conduct on Big Blue Bus services.

Enabled by California Senate Bill 1417 (SB 1417), the program grants the agency authority to restrict service access for individuals involved in repeated policy violations or criminal activity on transit vehicles and facilities.

New Big Blue Bus Program

Under the new program, Big Blue Bus can issue prohibition orders lasting 30 days to one year to customers routinely cited, arrested, or convicted for behavior threatening the safety or comfort of fellow passengers or staff. 

SB 1417, authored by Sen. Ben Allen, also mandates the creation of an advisory committee to guide compassionate enforcement practices and ensure personnel are adequately trained.

“The Prohibition Order Program helps us ensure a safe and welcoming environment for Big Blue Bus riders and operators by giving us another tool to enforce our Customer Code of Conduct,” said Anuj Gupta, Santa Monica Department of Transportation director. “It supports our broader efforts to enhance the transit experience, so our customers can Ride with Confidence knowing that Big Blue Bus is safe, reliable, and inclusive for all.”

Enhancing the Customer Experience

The program is part of Big Blue Bus’s broader customer experience enhancement strategy, which includes several complementary initiatives:

• Brighter Blue is a five-year service improvement plan that expands operating hours, increases frequency, and strengthens connections to Metro Rail and regional destinations.

• Better Blue Bus Stop is a capital improvement effort focused on upgrading lighting, seating, shade structures, and accessibility across the service area.

• Ongoing deployment of Transit Safety Officers, who assist riders with trip planning and fare payment while maintaining onboard and stop-level security and reinforcing the Code of Conduct.

Together, these efforts reflect Big Blue Bus’s commitment to a safe, rider-centered transit system that addresses operational excellence and community well-being.