Santa Monica Director Of DoT Announces Retirement

SANTA MONICA, CA — After 12 years of serving as Santa Monica's Director of the Big Blue Bus and the city's Department of Transportation, Ed King announced he would retire in August 2023.

King worked for more than 46 years in public transportation and accomplished many things during his time working in Santa Monica including transitioning the city's bus fleet to renewable natural gas, completing a system redesign and introducing electric buses to the city.

“I started my career in transportation as a traffic checker, then bus operator at the Regional Transportation Authority in Chicago, and am grateful to have worked alongside many remarkable, innovative, and resilient colleagues along the way,” said King. “I have been driven by the meaningful work of keeping communities connected to essential services and opportunities that improve social and economic well-being, and expanding access to safe, sustainable, affordable, and equitable integrated transportation options.”

In his position, King expanded Santa Monica's bikeway network to over 120 miles and implemented safety improvements for pedestrians. King also partnered with the ride share company Lyft to help provide nearly 200,000 sedan and wheelchair van rides to eligible residents since 2018.

City officials expressed their thanks to King for his commitment to sustainability and inclusion in public transport. King's last day will by Aug. 9.

“In his distinguished tenure, Ed has made tremendous improvements to Santa Monica’s transportation network,” said City Manager David White. “He adopted sustainable solutions for our transit fleet, restored services through our economic recovery efforts, and led the Department of Transportation through the challenges of COVID-19. I thank Ed for his steadfast leadership and years of service to our community.”