SMART Train Full Service begins August 25

SMART receives final approval from the Federal Railroad Administration to begin FULL SERVICE on August 25th

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) District announced today that it has received the green light from the Federal Railroad Administration to begin full passenger train service.

“We are proud to say that we are ready to roll,” said SMART Board of Directors Chairwoman Debora Fudge. “This is the result of years of hard work from SMART’s staff, its team of contractors and consultants, and Federal Railroad Administration Regional Administrator James Jordan and his team. Successfully opening a new transit system is a major accomplishment—and we will remember this day for generations to come.”

SMART train service will be FREE of charge on opening day.

In celebration of the start of service, SMART will host a community grand opening event at 9 a.m. at its Santa Rosa Downtown Station, at 7 Fourth Street at Historic Railroad Square, and will begin running the full-service schedule at 12:49 p.m.

After opening day, SMART fares for everyone will be 50% OFF the regular price through Labor Day, September 4.

Regular fares will be in place on September 5. Under SMART’s fare structure, commuters can purchase 31-day passes at significant discounts. Seniors, youth and passengers with disabilities also receive 50 percent off fares. SMART uses Clipper® cards, the same payment system used by other Bay Area transit providers, for a seamless trip. SMART will run 34 trips each weekday, and 10 trips on weekends. INFO on Clipper Cards

“This is truly historic. We want to thank the public for their support, and for providing the North Bay with a state-of-the-art transportation system. This system will bring relief to commuters stuck on Highway 101 and provide a stress-free way to travel. It will also provide a major economic boost for both Marin and Sonoma counties,” said SMART Board Vice Chairwoman Kathrin Sears.

In connection with SMART’s start of service, several public transit agencies have developed new routes or adjusted existing ones to coordinate with the train’s schedule.

SMART passengers receive transfer credits to make their connections when using Golden Gate Transit, Marin Transit, Petaluma Transit, Santa Rosa CityBus, or Sonoma County Transit.

For more information about SMART’s schedules and fares visit www.SonomaMarinTrain.org.

SMART uses Clipper®, the Bay Area’s all-in-one transit card, for payment and does not accept cash fare. You can use the following types of value on Clipper to ride SMART:

Get a Card: You can get an adult card at any SMART fare machine, online at clippercard.com, or at participating transit agency ticket offices and retailers. Discount Clipper cards and discount fares and passes are available for youth (5-18), seniors (65 and over) and passengers with disabilities. Visit clippercard.com/discounts for information on how to apply for a discount card. Discount Clipper cards are not available at SMART stations.

Add Value: Add cash value or a 31-day pass to an adult, youth, senior or RTC Clipper card at any fare machine at SMART stations, online at clippercard.com, or at participating transit agency ticket offices and retailers.

Transfer Discounts: SMART passengers who pay with Clipper receive a $1.50 discount ($0.75 for youth, seniors and passengers with disabilities) when transferring to Golden Gate Transit, Marin Transit, Petaluma Transit, Santa Rosa CityBus or Sonoma County Transit. The same discount applies when you transfer from one of these public transit providers to SMART and pay with cash value. Transfers are not available with the SMART mobile app.