As a kid, Nautica Smith could always depend on the Pasadena public bus system to get her where she needed to go. So, when it came time to pick a career, a life in public service seemed like a natural fit.

“Growing up, my mom didn't have a car, so I rode the bus a lot,” said Smith, who has worked for the city of Santa Monica as a bus driver for about a year. “I've always looked up to and idolized the drivers. When I was old enough, I thought I would give it a try and found that I really enjoy it.”

In the years since Smith was a child, one thing has stayed the same — buses remain a reliable way for millions to get around every day. What’s changed is the technology behind them, evolving to make buses not just dependable, but also eco-friendly, efficient and economical.

Now, as the city of Santa Monica moves forward with plans to electrify all of its Big Blue Buses, Smith not only provides a valuable service to the residents, but she does it in a healthier, zero-emission version of the bus she used to rely on.

“The biggest differences from when I was a kid is that the inside of the cabin is so much quieter, I can communicate with riders a lot easier, the acceleration is smooth, and even though my routes can last 8 to 10 hours, I never have to worry about running out of juice,” she said. “The battery life is great.”

The city rolled out its first electric bus in 2019 and now runs 34 zero-emission buses out of its fleet of 195, with plans to go fully electric by 2032. Southern California Edison supported that transition through its Charge Ready Transport Program, helping install the heavy-duty charging equipment needed to keep the buses juiced.

“We could not have done this without SCE’s help,” said Eric O'Connor, assistant director of the Department of Transportation at the city of Santa Monica. “Their Charge Ready Transport Program helped get this project off the ground and provided us with the necessary funding to complete the utility side equipment upgrades and continues to help with new phases of the project.”

In April, the city broke ground on Phase 2 of a six-phase plan. The project will feature a canopy-style charging system that allows an additional 124 buses to charge at once. With chargers descending from overhead, the design maximizes yard space compared to traditional ground-based systems.

“Santa Monica Big Blue Bus is setting the standard for what a zero-emission future looks like,” said Brian Bustamante, a senior advisor at SCE and account manager for the city. “We’re proud to partner with a team leading the way in electrification and helping set the example for others to follow.”

With Phase 2 already underway, the city expects phases 3 through 6 to wrap up within the next two years. What has been five years in the making is on track for completion in 2028.

“It’s really cool to be able to see the evolution of electrification. "I feel like this is a great foot forward, and I am so excited to be a part of the future of public transit,” said Smith.

For more information, visit sce.com/cleanenergy.