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2023 – Press Releases

May 8, 2023: State Highway 37 will be closed Saturday, May 20 – Sunday, May 21 to repair railroad crossing near junction with Highway 121 at Sears Point

April 5, 2023: City of Santa Rosa offering discounted parking permit for SMART rail communters

February 8, 2023: SMART pathway funds programmed for Marin and Sonoma by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission

January 31, 2023: SMART secures $34M toward the construction of the system's northern extensions

January 26, 2023: Supreme Court ruling on RM3 positions SMART to be able to construct northern extensions

2022 – Press Releases

December 29, 2022:  $1.8M in Federal Funding for Design of SMART Extension to Healdsburg

November 29, 2022: SMART will host annual Holiday Express Toy Drive on December 3

October 21, 2022: SMART and City of Petaluma announce Grand Opening celebration for bicycle and pedestrian pathway

October 19, 2022: SMART announces NEW school field trip program

September 7, 2022: SMART will offer NEW midday train service and improved connections to the Golden Gate ferry

August 24, 2022: SMART marks 5th anniversary of startup of passenger service

August 17, 2022: SMART extends reduced fares, suspension of parking fees at SMART parking lots through June 30, 2023

July 3, 2022: SMART and City of Petaluma announce $13M received for major transportation improvements in Petaluma

June 1, 2022: SMART announces special San Francisco Giants ferry service on June 12 and 26

May 4, 2022: SMART announces 10 trips added to its weekday schedule beginning on Monday, June 13

April 7, 2022: SMART announces Sunday service returns on May 1

March 31, 2022: SMART seeks community input on Planning for the Future initiative

March 16, 2022: SMART extends promotional fares, removes parking fees at SMART parking lots

March 7, 2022: SMART announces two to graduate from in-house training program for essential railroad positions

2021 – Press Releases

October 20, 2021: SMART appoints Eddy Cumins as new General Manager

May 26, 2021: SMART statement regarding incident at the Santa Clara Valley Transit Valley Transit Authority

May 19, 2021: SMART launches Welcome Back Campaign with a new expanded service schedule and reduced fares

April 23, 2021: SMART Board of Directors approve $21.4 million Capital Improvement Plan 

March 19, 2021: Lawsuit challenges construction or planned construction of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District's pathway along the railroad right-of-way

March 16, 2021: SMART announces new UV light sterilization upgrades are completed

February 24, 2021: SMART, Marin Transit, and Golden Gate Offer Free Rides to COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments

January 29, 2021: State of California awards SMART $1.45M for Freight Rail Investments

2020 – Press Releases

December 16, 2020: SMART announces in-house training program for essential positions

November 19, 2020: SMART To Join Bay Area Low-Income Fare Program

November 4, 2020: SMART hires Heather McKillop as new CFO

October 30, 2020: SMART cuts costs by refinancing construction bonds

October 12, 2020: SMART receives AA rating on refinancing its construction bonds

June 17, 2020: SMART Board of Directors authorize funds for a second train station in Petaluma

May 11, 2020: SMART seeks community input on proposed service reductions

April 17, 2020: SMART Citizen Oversight Committee to meet via Zoom teleconference

April 10: SMART to hold Board of Directors Meeting via Zoom teleconference

April 3: SMART will implement further temporary reductions to service levels on Monday, April 6

March 20: SMART makes additional schedule changes amid statewide Shelter in Place Orders

March 17: SMART to cancel selected weekday train trips due to shelter-in-place orders for Marin and Sonoma counties

March 16: SMART is temporarily cancelling weekend train service

March 5: SMART is taking proactive measures regarding the coronavirus

March 2: SMART ridership rises 40% over last year

February 6: SMART ridership gropws 26% in January, 2020

February 5: SMART establishes a 50% discount fare policy for low-income riders

January 15: SMART's green commuters reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 33% compared to using an automobile

2019 – Press Releases

December 31: SMART launches into 2020 with a new schedule

December 6: SMART will begin passenger service to the new Larkspur and Downtown Novato stations on December 14, 2019

November 27: SMART will offer fare-FREE service during the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend

November 21: SMART announces new train schedule to take effect on January 1, 2020

November 18: SMART announces new Communications and Marketing Manager

November 14: SMART to begin simulated service for the Larkspur station on Sunday, November 17

November 13: SMART completes testing for the Novato Downtown station

November 8: SMART offers veterans and active-duty military personnel, and their families free train service on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11

November 6: SMART to operate a bus bridge from Petaluma to Novato on Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10

October 30: North Santa Rosa evacuation orders lifted, SMART to serve all stations - Sonoma County Airport to San Rafael beginning October 31; SMART continues free service

October 29: SMART will run free limited service Wednesday, October 30 - Wednesday, November 6

October 28: SMART to cancel Tuesday, October 29 train service due to Public Safety Power Shutdown impacts on local city traffic signal systems

October 27: SMART to cancel Monday, October 28 train service due to Public Safety Power Shutdown impacts on local city traffic systems

October 27: SMART to cancel train service due to malfunction of local traffic signal systems resulting from Public Safety Power Shutdown

September 19: Law enforcement agencies to join SMART in promoting rail safety

August 28: SMART to post schedule for overnight testing

August 19: In preparation for opening the Larkspur Extension SMART to conduct overnight testing of train control systems

June 12: SMART to add a late-night train run during the Marin County Fair

June 4: SMART San Rafael Station and a portion of 3rd street in San Rafael closed this weekend for Larkspur extension construction

May 29: Weekend Street Closures: SMART to close portion of 2nd and 3rd streets in San Rafael for Larkspur extension construction

May 23: SMART to kick-off free weekend rides for youth 18 and under this summer

May 22: SMART to offer free train service Memorial Day weekend for veterans, and active duty military personnel

May 16: SMART, Sonoma County and Marin County offer veterans, and active duty military personnel and their families free train service and free entry to regional parks on Memorial Day weekend

May 15: SMART to offer free rides on weekends this summer for youth 18 and under

May 14, 2019: SMART to close portion of 2nd and 3rd streets in San Rafael for Larkspur extension construction

March 13, 2019: SMART to surpass the 100,000-cyclist mark 

January 31, 2019: SMART recommended to receive for $12.6 million grant for bicycle and pedestrian pathway

January 15, 2019: SMART trains poised to reach the 1 million passenger mark

January 9, 2019: SMART conducting overnight testing for the City of Petaluma this week

2018 – Press Releases

December 10,  2018: SMART conducts overnight vehicle safety testing on four new rail cars

December 3, 2018: SMART’s Holiday Express Toy Drive Train debuts Saturday

November 14, 2018: SMART to clear brush along rail corridor

September 13, 2018: Join SMART in Promoting Rail Safety

August 15, 2018: SMART celebrates its first year of service with a festival on August 18 and free train service on the weekend of the event

July 18, 2018: SMART celebrates its first year of service with a festival on August 18 and free train service on the weekend of the event

May 24, 2018: SMART Receives Transit/Rail Project of the Year Award

April 27, 2018: Freight Operator Northwestern Pacific Railroad Co. to Conduct Positive Train Control Testing in Santa Rosa

April 26, 2018: SMART receives $21 million in state funding for its extension to Windsor

April 9, 2018: SMART secures funding from the Federal Transit Administration for the Larkspur extension

April 4, 2018: Freight Operator Northwestern Pacific Railroad Company to conduct Positive Train Control testing in Rohnert Park

March 28, 2018: Freight Operator Northwestern Pacific Railroad Company to begin Positive Train Control testing in the North Bay

March 12, 2018: SMART’s finances earn high marks from major credit rating firm

January 31, 2018: SMART Service Resumes Schedule

January 30, 2018: SMART awarded $10.5 million in Senate Bill 1 funding

January 5, 2018: SMART to add third car to popular commuter train

 

2017 – Press Releases

December 6, 2017: SMART Holiday Express toy drive expands to meet growing need

November 15, 2017: SMART launches two programs for businesses and individuals impacted by the Sonoma County fires

October 17, 2017: SMART continues to provide free service through Friday to assist those needing transportation 

2016 – Press Releases