SamTrans will host a community meeting next week to discuss the possible elimination of the FLX San Carlos route, and will be conducting a Title VI environmental impact analysis during the public hearing.
The community meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, prior to the SamTrans Citizens Advisory Committee inside the 2nd floor auditorium of the SamTrans Administrative Offices, 1250 San Carlos Ave., in San Carlos.
On May 4, 2016, the SamTrans Board of Directors called for a public hearing to be held on June 1, 2016 to receive and consider public comments on the proposal to eliminate FLX San Carlos due to low ridership on the route.
Since the launch of the FLX San Carlos service in January 2014, SamTrans has operated four trips in the morning and five trips in the afternoon during weekday peak commute periods. In response to requests from San Carlos residents, SamTrans provided on-demand service during the mid-day that provided pick-up and drop-off services within the City of San Carlos.
In the 27 months since the service launched, daily ridership has averaged between 10-20 passengers, an average of about two passengers per hour.
SamTrans made a commitment to continuously monitor and adjust service following the introduction of the SamTrans Service Plan (SSP) in January 2014. The FLX routes were identified as two-year pilot projects that would be evaluated for effectiveness at the end of that term.
Over the last few months, SamTrans worked with City of San Carlos staff and community members to identify alternative service that would better meet the needs of the community. Initial improvements to service have been made to help compensate for the loss of the FLX San Carlos service. Those improvements include improving the scheduling on Route 295 to align with school bell times and extending Route 95 to serve the Redwood City Transit Center. Further improvements are under discussion to improve local service in unserved parts of the City.
Prior to the hearing, comments may be sent by mail, e-mail or phone to:
- SamTrans Board, SamTrans Secretary, P.O. Box 3006, San Carlos, CA 94070-1306
- 1.800.660.4287 (TTY 650.508.6448)
If approved by the Board, the route would be scheduled for elimination on Aug. 5, 2016.
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About SamTrans: SamTrans operates 76 routes throughout San Mateo County. Funded in part by a half-cent sales tax, the San Mateo County Transit District also provides administrative support for Caltrain and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. SamTrans has provided bus service to San Mateo County customers since 1976.
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