West Hollywood is known as one of the most walkable cities in the US, but it is also known as one of the most unparkable, which has been a huge stumbling block for the city’s nightlife. That is all about to change with last week’s launch of “The PickUp,†a free trolley that will run Friday and Saturday nights, from 8 pm to 3 pm, picking up and dropping off party happy patrons every 15 minutes along a four-mile loop with stops every two to three blocks at the hottest venues along Santa Monica Boulevard.
Riders can ditch their cars and hop aboard the flaming yellow PickUp trolleys, decorated with vintage comic character images and screaming suggestive sayings like, “Get on and get off,†and ride in style while grooving to a music soundtrack mixed by WeHo DJ Derek Monterio.
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ckUp riders will enjoy perks like VIP entry to The Abbey, the world’s most notorious gay bar; plus two-for-one Abbey breakfasts before noon. Other popular bars like Micky’s are jumping on the bandwagon by offering PickUp patrons no cover and priority admission. Hugo’s has one free appetizer with entrée for PickUp patrons. Riders getting off at Fubar get one $1 drink, and a stop at Here Lounge gets PickUp riders half off their first drink.
The PickUp is a six-month pilot project unanimously approved by The City of West Hollywood’’s City Council at a cost of $71,000 allocated from the city’s general fund. The service will cost the City $110 per operating hour. If the pilot project is successful the city will consider options for the program to return and look for opportunities to pa
rtner with the private sector for sponsorship and advertising to fund it.
“I am so grateful that staff worked overtime to make this a reality,†said West Hollywood Councilmember John Duran. “When D’Amico and I first brainstormed about this, we knew we had to create a mode of transportation that would fit into Weho’s hip urban culture. Time will tell if we are successful,†continued Councilmember Duran.
The City of West Hollywood prides itself in its passionate and creative approach to city government and has established itself as an innovative leader in municipal programs. In February of 2012 the City launched a pilot car-sharing program in partnership with ZipCar to provide West Hollywood residents, businesses and visitors with increased access to affordable, convenient transportation options that reduce congestion and emissions. In 2011 West Hollywood was named the “Most Walkable†city in California and received 89 out of 100 score for walkable amenities and even beat out San Francisco and New York City.
For information, visit www.weho.org/wehopickup . “Like” The Pickup on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/wehopickup or on Twitter @wehopickup
