SamTrans is experiencing a strong ridership rebound after the nationwide public transit decline seen during and after the COVID-19 lockdowns. The number of people now choosing to hop on a SamTrans bus is approaching pre-pandemic levels on weekdays and already surpassing weekend totals — a notable achievement in an industry still in recovery mode.
So, what’s behind the success at SamTrans and what does the bus agency have planned to keep the momentum going? Here’s a quick summary of the improvements that are driving this impressive recovery and a glimpse into the strategy for moving forward.
Reimagine SamTrans: A bold system refresh
A major driver of the recent ridership growth is a multi-year initiative to redesign the entire bus network for efficiency, accessibility and modernization. The Reimagine SamTrans project, now complete, focused on:
- Improved service routes – Eliminating redundancy while making bus travel more direct and efficient.
- More frequent service – Increased weekend and weekday bus frequency, making public transit more available.
- Extended service hours – Longer operating times on key routes to serve early-morning and late-night riders.
- New express routes – Faster connections to local colleges and major employment hubs.
The impact? Riders are experiencing more convenient travel throughout San Mateo County and enjoying faster connections to regional transit hubs, including Caltrain stations and San Francisco’s Salesforce Transit Center.
On-Demand transit: The rise of Ride Plus
One key component of the Reimagine SamTrans project was to address areas where traditional transit service was not widely available. Not all areas are a good fit for extensive fixed-route bus service, so SamTrans identified a solution and introduced Ride Plus, a flexible, on-demand microtransit option, currently available in two service areas:
- East Palo Alto & Belle Haven (Menlo Park)
- Half Moon Bay & El Granada
This shared-ride van service operates like Uber or Lyft but at a fixed, affordable fare — the same price as a SamTrans bus ride with no surge pricing. Riders can book a trip via the Ride Plus app, online, or by phone, and even transfer to fixed-route buses for free when using Clipper or the SamTrans app.
SamTrans is encouraging people in the two service areas to take advantage of this convenient and cost-effective transportation option to keep it running strong.
Looking ahead: More enhancements for riders
SamTrans isn’t stopping with the successes seen through Reimagine. The agency has several big projects in the works to further improve the transit experience along the Peninsula:
- A zero-emission fleet – The transition to battery-electric and hydrogen-powered buses is well underway.
- Bus stop improvements – Nearly 170 shelter upgrades and safer boarding islands at 75 stops are among the first improvements being planned for installation.
- Ongoing route optimization – SamTrans continues to assess travel patterns to ensure its services meet the evolving needs of riders.
With these changes, the agency is building on its success and ensuring public transit remains a reliable, sustainable and accessible option for everyone in San Mateo County.
Have you tried SamTrans lately? Now is the perfect time to hop on board and experience the improvements firsthand!