Editor’s Note: Photos available here
SamTrans began offering a new transit service in two areas of San Mateo County on Sunday. Ride Plus is now available in the zones of East Palo Alto, which includes the Belle Haven neighborhood of Menlo Park, and Half Moon Bay. The shared-ride service will be totally free for passengers through the end of July. After that, trips on Ride Plus will be as affordable as a standard bus ride.
East Palo Alto/Belle Haven and Half Moon Bay were chosen as Ride Plus service areas because both regions were well-suited to a more flexible service as over traditional transit models.
“We believe Ride Plus will help SamTrans achieve its goals of bringing the efficiency and connectivity of transit to these areas,” said SamTrans CEO April Chan. “With this new affordable and eco-friendly transit option, we’re able to advance transportation equity and provide the benefits of transit to those who need it most.”
Ride Plus service is offered seven days a week and service hours vary by location:
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East Palo Alto/Belle Haven, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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Half Moon Bay, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Passengers have multiple options for ordering a Ride Plus trip:
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The new Ride Plus app, available on both iOS and Android.
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Online via SamTrans.com.
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Over the phone at 650-238-5880.
For those who have used Uber or Lyft, the Ride Plus app will feel very familiar with point-to-point service, offering the convenience of dynamic routing without the cost of dynamic pricing. Rides can also be scheduled up to seven days in advance.
There are five new ADA Ride Plus vans that can seat up to seven passengers plus one wheelchair each. Two additional late-model vans can accommodate up to 11 passengers.
Payment can be made by using Clipper, passes or cash and transfers to fixed-route service. Those using Clipper or the SamTrans app have free two-hour transfers. For trips outside of each zone, passengers can connect using traditional bus routes.
Maps of the service zones are available here:
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About SamTrans: SamTrans operates 70 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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Media Contact: Dan Lieberman, 650-622-2492