April Chan becomes first female General Manager of SamTrans
Reimagine SamTrans system redesign begins service, in August.
2020
SamTrans adapts and survives COVID Pandemic
2019
Launched the FCX Express bus from Foster City to San Francisco
Launched Reimagine SamTrans
2018
Purchased 10 electric buses and 55 clean-diesel articulated buses
Entered into agreement with Facebook and Plenary Group to explore development of the Dumbarton Transportation Corridor
Initiated new Route SFO and ECR Rapid bus service
Approved Coastside Study
Launched SamTrans Mobile and Youth Mobility Ambassador Program
Adopted SamTrans Business Plan
2017
Began live-streaming monthly Board meetings
Approved Youth Mobility Plan
Adopted final Dumbarton Transportation Corridor Study
Determined goals for prioritizing transportation investments through Get Us Moving public education/engagement efforts
2016
Signed an agreement with Facebook to launch the Dumbarton Corridor Study
Displayed a special art exhibit at the Peninsula Museum of Art for school children that participated in the 2016 "Art Takes a Bus Ride Contest"
Launched online sales for Summer Youth Pass
Offered all day free rides on the ECR and Route 294 buses for annual "Dump the Pump" Day
2015
Implemented the 2015-2019 Strategic Plan
Hired new GM/CEO Jim Hartnett to lead the Transit District
Partnered with local veterans' organizations on public transit initiatives
Brought back the SamTrans Bus Roadeo after a seven year absence
2014
Implemented systemwide service changes as part of the SamTrans Service Plan, which increased frequency on a number of core routes
Redesigned all bus stop signs and added information for accessing real-time departures
Installed a new bus stop at the Devil's Slide trail head
Celebrated the 10th anniversary of "Art Takes a Bus Ride" contest for students
2013
Purchased its first fleet of hybrid buses (25), which were manufactured by Gillig across the bay in Hayward
Combined mainline Routes 390 and 391 into Route ECR, which travels from Palo Alto to Daly City. The route operates every 15 minutes on weekdays
Added SamTrans route locations and times to Google Maps
Graduated the largest class of bus operators in SamTrans history: 27
2012
Replaced paper Monthly passes with Clipper card
Introduced a Day Pass, which allows customers unlimited rides all day for a single fare
Introduced weekend Route ECR, providing service every 20 minutes along El Camino Real between Palo Alto and Daly City
2011
Started accepting Clipper, the regional fare card
Began community outreach to get feedback on its SamTrans Service Plan about possible changes to bus service
Took first step into the social networking world with the creation of a SamTrans Youth Facebook page dedicated to helping teen riders
2010
Routes KX, 292, 391 and 397 moved to the Transbay Temporary Terminal at Howard and Main streets to allow for construction of the new Transbay Transit Center
Route 17 service is extended to the Linda Mar Park and Ride lot in Pacifica on weekends and holidays
2009
Started the Mobility Ambassador Program, which introduces seniors and people with disabilities to the wide variety of transit options available in the county
Increased ridership on Route 17 almost 23 percent to 8,323 people during January compared to the previous January
2008
Partnered with Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo to sponsor Holiday Bus
Replaced first of 204 passengers shelters with contemporary, solar-powered, lighted shelters with advertising
2007
Named Employer of the Year by Northern California Chapter of the conference of Minority Transportation Officials
Extended service on Coastside Routes 14 and 110 as part of a grant-funded pilot program
2006
Debuted the first Holiday Bus
Passed an ordinance to prohibit smoking in its bus shelters and at bus stops
2005
Marked 50th anniversary of Rosa Parks' act of civil disobedience by reserving the front seat on all SamTrans buses in her honor Dec. 1
Sponsored "Art Takes a Bus Ride" contest for all students
2004
Received First Place AdWheel Award from the American Public Transportation Association for a campaign to boost bus token sales
2003
Aligned bus service to serve the new South San Francisco, San Bruno and Millbrae BART stations
Repowered 137 buses to lower their emissions and extend their service life
2002
Purchased 55 new 60-foot articulated buses
Established the District’s’ first full-time Transit Police staff through a contract with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office
2001
Introduced free community shuttles to employment and shopping centers
Offered overnight service for the first time (Route 397)
2000
Started new Coastside service with Route 17
1999
Renamed all routes
1998
Earned the Peninsula Emergency Services Association’s V. Fitzgerald Award for outstanding emergency service project
1997
Partnered with BART on extension to San Francisco International Airport
1996
Opened Colma BART Station/SamTrans Transit Center
1995
Set a 49ers football service ridership record to a single game: 10,566.
Began exterior bus advertising
1994
Implemented express route between the Daly City BART Station and San Francisco International Airport
1993
Became fully wheelchair accessible with purchase of 133 new buses
Expanded Redi-Wheels program with the purchase of 19 new buses and expanded service hours
1992
Provided approximately 25 percent of the capital costs for the construction of the Colma BART station
Became managing partner for Caltrain
1991
Purchased the Caltrain right of way from San Francisco to San Jose, and formed the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board along with SFMTA and VTA to manage it
1989
Opened the District’s largest park and ride lot (814 spaces) in Daly City
Provided extra buses on its mainline and transbay routes after the Loma Prieta earthquake
1988
Named managing agency of the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, which administers the voter-approved half cent sales for transportation improvements
1986
Introduced seven monthly unlimited-ride passes
1978
Formed unique fare stabilization plan for Southern Pacific rail riders. This plan ultimately led to SamTrans joining Caltrans, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and Muni in a long-term agreement with Southern Pacific for Caltrain rail service
1977
Began offering service for customers with mobility impairments through the Redi-Wheels paratransit program
1976
Consolidated 11 municipal bus systems into the San Mateo County Transit District, commonly known as SamTrans
District Mission & Vision
Caltrain Partnership
Background
The URL of this page automatically updates to allow you to share your map center, zoom, and other state. Click the URL below to copy a link to this page without any of this information, which may be personally identifying.
