Bus Detour In Front of Marquez Elementary School

Op./Ed.

As reported by the Palisadian-Post this afternoon at:

    http://www.palisadespost.com/breaking-news/big-blue-bus-detour-now-runs-past-marquez-charter-elementary/

Image Source: Palisadian-Post. "The yellow line indicates the new bus route. The orange line indicates the old route.  Image created by Santa Monica Big Blue Bus and provided by an anonymous source."


This detour through Marquez Knolls runs right in front of (my alma mater) Marquez Elementary.  This is more than merely concerning. That there will now be bus traffic in front of and immediately adjacent to said school during school hours is, in my opinion, very dangerous.  Especially in the morning and afternoon when parents are dropping off and picking up kids, it is already a traffic nightmare. Now you add in these huge buses right on top of little kids.  Marquez Ave. narrows adjacent to the school and when cars are parked and double parked adjacent thereto in the morning and afternoon it is a place to avoid if you possibly can.  Did anyone with L.A. City or BBB go to this school in the morning and afternoon to see the congestion and all the kids and parents crossing Marquez Ave? 

Perhaps a long term solution would be to create a turnaround location on Palisades Drive where the bus could make a left turn into a vacant lot past Calvary Church and where there are two lanes in both directions contiguous to Sunset Blvd.  In this regard, below is a map of this potential solution with "X" marking a possible turnaround point that would take advantage of vacant land.  This would also have the advantage of adding additional bus stops for residents, students and others needing closer access to Palisades Drive.

"X" Marks The Spot!   Image Source: Google Maps

Respectfully submitted,


Will Maguire