Media Contact: Mahmoud Abunie, 650-730-6201
The San Mateo County Transit District (District) Board of Directors approved the El Camino Real Bus Speed and Reliability Study (ECR Study). The ECR study analyzed the impact of traffic congestion on bus service on El Camino Real and identified recommended improvements to help achieve faster and more reliable bus service.
Public outreach was conducted in spring 2022 and the community was asked to provide input on the draft improvements to inform the final report, which went before the SamTrans Board during its December board meeting.
Route ECR is the backbone of the SamTrans bus network, serving a quarter of the agency’s riders along its 25-mile run through 13 cities. The study is proposing potential improvements that would make that route, and others that use El Camino Real, more efficient, and reliable to improve the experience for both operators and riders, and to help attract new riders. Some of the recommended improvements include bus stop balancing and relocation, bus bulbs, queue jumps and bus-only lanes.
In 2020, SamTrans was awarded funding through the Caltrans Sustainable Communities Grant Program for this study. SamTrans kicked off the study in January 2021 and completed the existing conditions evaluation, location-specific analysis, and has engaged bus operators and community stakeholders to develop the recommended improvements.
By summer 2023, SamTrans will begin implementation of bus stop balancing, which seeks to align with Route ECR service improvements. Other near-term implementation actions include: establishing an El Camino Real program manager; collaborating with partners to establish a Transit-First Policy on El Camino Real; creating a Transit Capital Improvement Fund; and committing to ongoing partnerships with cities and Caltrans.
###
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.
Follow SamTrans on Facebook and Twitter.
Free translation assistance is available. Para traducción llama al 1.800.660.4287; 如需翻譯,請電 1.800.660.4287.