How the L.A. to Santa Monica Route Could Change the Local Economy

Santa Monica natives know that the travel route to and from Los Angeles is something that they would not wish on their worst enemy. As a result, many local small businesses have had to rely almost exclusively on Santa Monica’s residents and tourists instead of being able to draw in customers from the greater Los Angeles area. Fortunately, a new public transportation option is poised to change everything.

According to Fast Company, the typical commute between L.A. and Santa Monica takes up to one hour and 15 minutes, even though the distance is only about eight miles. This has been a way of life ever since the trolley cars that transported people back and forth between the two cities were discontinued in 1953. Finally, after 63 years of having no viable public transportation between the two prime destinations, there is a new light rail service that started picking up passengers on May 20. For a mere $1.75 each way, commuters and shoppers can take the full 15-mile ride and arrive at their destination in 46 minutes.

Removing the hassle and stress of L.A.’s bumper-to-bumper traffic is amazing enough, but cutting 30 minutes or more from the commute time makes this new rail service one of the biggest things to ever happen to Santa Monica. As a result, some local businesses are already in the process of making changes that will help them suit the needs of a larger customer base.

For example, Santa Monica Brew Works has asked the city’s Planning Commission to approve their request to add on a tasting room. This request makes perfect sense when you consider the potential economic impact of it suddenly being so much easier for Los Angeles residents to shop and eat in downtown Santa Monica. This is something that every small-business owner should be making plans for as it could provide one of the biggest economic jolts the city has ever seen.

One way that Santa Monica’s business owners can expand their reach without spending an exorbitant amount of money is to invest in digital advertising. In fact, 80 percent of small businesses in the U.S. have a social media page that they use to connect with consumers. Additionally, local targeting options that are available via resources such as Google AdWords make it possible to ensure that L.A. residents begin seeing more advertisements from companies based out of Santa Monica.

Los Angeles County is also planning to ask voters to approve a permanent one-cent increase in sales tax to help fund the Metro expansion. Although this will have an impact on consumers, the amount is expected to be minimal enough that it won’t hurt the local economy. Instead, taking steps to continue expanding transportation options between L.A. and cities all over the area, including Santa Monica, should ultimately help the entire county receive an economic boost.

Ultimately, the only way that these changes will be pushed through and stay in place is if taxpayers support them, along with commuters, shoppers, and tourists taking advantage of their light rail and bus options. As long as this happens, Santa Monica and the surrounding areas have a prime opportunity to turn the increased public transportation into a huge economic boost.