The PickUp

The PickUp is a free weekend-only nighttime shuttle bus service operating a single route along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, California. First launched in 2013, it primarily serves passengers patronizing bars, clubs and other entertainment venues located along the Santa Monica corridor. History The PickUp was soft launched on August 9, 2013, with service formally commencing the following weekend. It was West Hollywood's second attempt at a running a nighttime shuttle bus service; the first attempt, which ran during the 1990s, failed due to low ridership. Initially running along Santa Monica Boulevard between Robertson Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue as a trial service that would last until the end of the year, the city government of West Hollywood allocated $71,000 for the project, pitching it as a "flirtatious take on public transit". Ridership averaged between 1,300 and 1,400 riders per weekend in its first month, with ridership higher on Saturdays than Fridays, and averaging around 1,200 riders per weekend in its first year. Owing to strong positive reception from riders, residents and businesses, in January 2014 the West Hollywood City Council voted to continue the service, and the following year it approved expanding The PickUp to its current service pattern, introducing limited Sunday and holiday service as well as extending the route to the eastern end of West Hollywood city limits. Permanent year-round Sunday service was subsequently introduced on October 2, 2016.