Santa Monica`s Big Blue Bus Sets the Standard with New Eco-Maintenance Facility

* 66K square foot, $60 million facility to be dedicated September 23 during
special event.
* Expansion project designed by acclaimed architectural firm HOK, known
worldwide as a leader in sustainable design.
* Project will allow Big Blue Bus to offer expanded services and add new energy
efficient vehicles to fleet.

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
After nine years of planning, and nearly three years of design and construction,
Santa Monica`s Big Blue Bus is ready to turn the key on its new
state-of-the-art, environmentally significant maintenance facility. The project
came in under budget and on time, and features the latest in sustainable transit
maintenance technologies.

A dedication ceremony and public open house will be held on September 23 from
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The special event will feature a ribbon cutting by city
officials, self-guided tours of the facility, a large display of vintage photos
covering the past 80 years of the Big Blue Bus, a 3-D video presentation
showcasing how the project was designed and a variety of equipment
demonstrations.

The new facility, which was financed entirely by public transit funds, is part
of an expansion project that will also include the demolition of the existing
40-year-old maintenance facility and a reorganized, more efficient bus yard. The
project was extensively planned and multi-phased so that daily bus operations
could be maintained while the project was under construction. The total cost of
this phase, including the demolition and new parking area, will be $60 million.

"This project has exceeded our expectations, both in its environmental and
functional design and in its overall execution," said Santa Monica City Manager
P. Lamont Ewell.

"This new facility and its increased capacity yard will allow the Big Blue Bus
to smoothly transition into the future so we can better serve the community for
many years to come," he added.

"While the old facility has served us well for over 40 years, we live in a
different world now and need a facility that can maintain our larger and more
technologically diverse fleet, which includes many different types and sizes of
cleaner burning alternative fueled vehicles," said Stephanie Negriff, director
of transit services for the Big Blue Bus.

Negriff noted that the project also provides for much needed additional space
for bus parking, and longer bays to service the larger articulated buses
expected in 2011. The articulated buses will be used on the Rapid 3 and 7 lines,
which are currently the agency`s busiest and most popular routes.

The new facility encompasses 66,000 square feet of workspace and offices along a
450-foot long structure. It includes 21 service bays, which can handle the
maintenance and repair of up to 20 buses a day, and has three extended bays to
service the new 60-foot articulated buses and two bays dedicated to maintaining
Santa Monica Fire Department vehicles. The facility will operate 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.

In keeping with the Big Blue Bus` and city`s commitment to a sustainable
environment, the facility will include many eco-friendly and energy efficient
features, such as:

* 600 80-kilowatt photovoltaic panels on the roof to help reduce energy costs by
up to 15% a year.
* Highly reflective concrete paving in the bus yard to keep the facility`s
microclimate cooler.
* An urban runoff system to filter storm water.
* Reclaimed water for landscape irrigation.
* Recycled content in major constructions materials, including concrete,
structural steel, carpeting, gypsum board, finishes and insulation.
* Light colored single-ply roofing to reflect heat away from the building.
* Low/no-VOC off-gassing materials and finishes.
* Energy efficient measures, including minimum energy water heaters and
lighting.
* Workspaces designed to utilize natural ventilation so less air conditioning is
required.
* Electric vehicle charging stations.

The facility also incorporates a 200-foot long programmable glass art wall
utilizing special translucent glass panels that change colors and patterns to
simulate movement along its glass skin. The wall, designed by noted artist Dan
Corson, will help provide privacy for the expanded lot, and will be visible both
day and evening hours. In addition to its glass panels, the wall will also
incorporate a unique bus stop at one end.

The Los Angeles office of HOK, an internationally recognized leader in
sustainable design, served as the facility`s architect.

Morley Construction Company was awarded the contract to build the project, and
was pleased that it was completed on time and within budget.

"We've greatly appreciated the opportunity to be the design-builder with our
architectural partner HOK, the City of Santa Monica and the Big Blue Bus team on
this sustainable facility," said Project Executive David Selna.

"This particular project had many interesting challenges, including phasing work
in an area that was fully operational at the same time we were building,
high-end architectural building skins, solar roof treatment and the inclusion of
an illuminated glass art wall."

"The City of Santa Monica now has a solid, new state-of-the-art facility that
will serve them well for years to come," said Selna.

In addition to the new building, larger bus yard and demolition of the old
facility, the full expansion project will also include a natural gas fueling
station and a recycled-water bus wash, which will be completed in a later phase.

The new Big Blue Bus maintenance facility is located at 1620 7th Street at the
corner of Colorado Avenue, and is serviced by Lines 3 and 5. Public parking for
the event will be available along city streets in the area. For more information
about the Big Blue Bus, visit www.bigbluebus.com.

For media RSVPs, contact Chris Ramirez at chris.ramirez@smgov.net. For hi-res
photos, contact Francine Pares at fpares@intelibrand.com.

Event Schedule:

10:30 am to 11:00 am - Media Opportunities

11:00 am to 11:30 am - Official Dedication/Ribbon Cutting

11:30 am to 12:30 pm - Public Open House and Tours

About the Big Blue Bus

The Big Blue Bus operates a fleet of over 200 energy efficient vehicles,
transporting more than 80,000 passengers a day across a nearly 52-square mile
service area. Nationally recognized for its long-standing commitment to a
cleaner environment, the entire fleet operates on alternative fuels, including
liquefied natural gas (LNG), which helps cut emissions by over 80 percent.
Serving Santa Monica and the Los Angeles area since 1928, the Big Blue Bus has
an 86 percent on-time performance record and has won numerous national awards
for its customer service, safety and efficiency.

About HOK

HOK, founded in 1955, is a global architectural firm specializing in planning,
design and delivery solutions for buildings and communities. Through its
collaborative network of 24 offices worldwide, the firm serves diverse clients
in the corporate, commercial, public and institutional markets. HOK is committed
to developing resources and expertise to help lead the world toward sustainable
communities and building environments. The HOK/LA practice was founded in 1983,
and brings to their clients expertise in architectural design, interiors,
planning, graphics, facilities planning and assessment and construction
services. www.hok.com

About Morley Builders

Since 1947, Morley Builders has been providing quality, innovative construction
services to the Southern California region. Morley Builders is one of the
largest Southern California-based general contractors, specializing in the
construction of institutional and major civic structures; education and research
facilities; parking structures; commercial, retail and medical buildings; and
multifamily residential complexes. www.morleybuilders.com

Big Blue Bus
Francine Pares, 949-481-7559
fpares@intelibrand.com
or
HOK
Jason Ysais, 310-496-4442
jason@allisonpr.com
or
Morley Builders
Jon Sansom, 310-566-9231
jsansom@morleybuilders.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009