Bill's Bus
{{Short description|Private bus service in Santa Barbara, California, United States}}
Bill's Bus is a privately owned commercial bus service that runs from Isla Vista, California to Goleta and Santa Barbara bars, picking up and dropping off college students. As an effort to prevent drunk driving, rides have sometimes been sponsored by local bars and UC Santa Barbara's Associated Students.Dana Olsen. "[http://www.dailynexus.com/2007-10-17/as-goleta-bars-agree-to-sponsor-bills-bus-fee/ A.S., Goleta Bars Agree to Sponsor Bill’s Bus Fee]", UCSB Daily Nexus, October 17, 2007Marie Recalde. "[http://www.dailynexus.com/2007-04-03/bills-bus-set-to-run-free-to-goleta/ Bill’s Bus Set to Run Free to Goleta]", UCSB Daily Nexus, April 3, 2007 It is popular among students, with multiple buses running on Thursdays and other busy nights.Wilson, Steven. " [http://thebottomline.as.ucsb.edu/2011/02/bills-bus-celebrates-20th-anniversary Bills Bus Celebrates 20th Anniversary]", The Bottom Line, February 26, 2011
History
William J. Singer founded Bill's Bus in 1991, when he was 19 years old.Veronique deTurenne. "[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-19-me-bus19-story.html Designated Driver May Go Bust]", LA Times, May 19, 2003 In 2002 the service was briefly suspended, and in a related news article, Singer said "There’s no money in it...I’m trying to do something that will make a difference."Kristina Ackermann. "[http://www.dailynexus.com/2002-11-14/bill-works-to-bring-back-bus/ Bill Works to Bring Back Bus]", UCSB Daily Nexus, November 14, 2002 The business faced financial trouble in 2003, and in 2004 Singer sold it to Craig Jenkins,[http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/published/FINAL_DECISION/50240-01.htm D0507030 granting transfer of CPCN to Bill's Bus Inc], California Public Utilities Commission owner of the Velvet Jones bar in downtown Santa Barbara.Lisa Engelbrektson. "[http://www.independent.com/news/2008/dec/18/four-reasons-say-happy-birthday-velvet-jones/ Four Reasons to Say “Happy Birthday” to Velvet Jones]", Santa Barbara Independent, December 18, 2008
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the service stopped operating in March 2020.{{Cite news |last=Shuda |first=Asumi |date=October 11, 2021 |title=Bill's Bus Needs Your Help |url=https://dailynexus.com/2021-10-11/bills-bus-needs-your-help/ |newspaper=Daily Nexus |location=Santa Barbara, California |accessdate=October 12, 2021}} Faced with an increase to their insurance premiums, the company organized a GoFundMe to stay in operation.
Attempted San Diego project
Singer started a separate, short-lived service in San Diego called Bill's Bus, which went between Pacific Beach and downtown.Sebastian Ruiz. "[http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-11-21/local-county-news/pb-bus-service-helps-partiers-leave-the-keys-at-home PB bus service helps partiers leave the keys at home] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513062442/http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-11-21/local-county-news/pb-bus-service-helps-partiers-leave-the-keys-at-home |date=2012-05-13 }}", Beach & Bay Press, November 21, 2009 That service is no longer in operation as of 2009.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://bills-bus.com/}}
{{UCSB}}
Category:Public transportation in Santa Barbara County, California