Milestones

2012
- Replaced paper Monthly passes with regional Clipper card
- Introduced a Day Pass, which allows customers unlimited rides all day for a single fare
- Introduced weekend Route ECR, providing 20-minute service along El Camino Real between Palo Alto and Daly City

2011
- Started accepting Clipper, a regional fare card
- Began community outreach to get feedback on its SamTrans Service Plan about possible changes to bus service
- Took first step into the social networking world with the creation of a SamTrans Youth Facebook page dedicated to helping teen riders

2010
- Routes KX, 292, 391 and 397 will move to the Transbay Temporary Terminal at Howard and Main streets to allow for construction of the new Transbay Transit Center
- Route 17 service is extended to the Linda Mar Park and Ride lot in Pacifica on weekends and holidays

2009
- Started the Mobility Ambassador Program, which introduces seniors and people with disabilities to the wide variety of transit options available in the county
- Increased ridership on Route 17 almost 23 percent to 8,323 people during January compared to the previous January

2008
- Partnered with Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo to sponsor Holiday Bus
- Replaced first of 204 passengers shelters with contemporary, solar-powered, lighted shelters with advertising

2007
- Named Employer of the Year by Northern California Chapter of the conference of Minority Transportation Officials
- Extended service on Coastside Routes 14 and 110 as part of a grant-funded pilot program

2006
- Debuted the first Holiday Bus.
- Passed an ordinance to prohibit smoking in its bus shelters and at bus stops

2005
- Marked 50th anniversary of Rosa Park’s act of civil disobedience by reserving the front seat on all SamTrans buses in her honor Dec. 1
- Sponsored “Art Takes a Bus Ride” contest for all students

2004
- Received First Place AdWheel Award from the American Public Transportation Association for a campaign to boost bus token sales
- Adjusted 14 routes to bring service into better alignment with demand

2003
- Aligned bus service to serve the new South San Francisco, San Bruno and Millbrae BART stations
- Repowered 137 buses to lower their emissions and extend their service life

2002
- Purchased 55 new 60-foot articulated buses
- Established the District’s’ first full-time Transit Police staff through a contract with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office

2001
- Introduced free community shuttles to employment and shopping centers.
- Offered overnight service for the first time (Route 397)

2000
- Started new Coastside service: Route 17

1999
- Reorganized bus system to make it more efficient, adding service where there was highest demand.
- Renamed all routes.

1998
- Earned the Peninsula Emergency Services Association’s V. Fitzgerald Award for outstanding emergency service project

1997
- Partnered with BART on extension to San Francisco International Airport

1996
- Opened Colma BART Station/SamTrans Transit Center

1995
- Set a 49ers football service ridership record to a single game: 10,566.
- Began exterior bus advertising

1994
- Implemented express route between Daly City BART Station and San Francisco International Airport

1993
- Became fully wheelchair accessible with purchase of 133 new replacement buses
- Continued expansion of Redi-Wheels program with the purchase of 19 new replacement buses and expanded service hours

1992
- Provided approximately 25 percent of the capital costs for the construction of the Colma BART station
- Became managing partner for Caltrain

1991
- Purchased the Caltrain right of way, San Francisco to San Jose, with the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board

1989
- Opened the District’s largest park and ride lot (814 spaces) in Daly City
- Provided extra buses on its mainline and transbay routes after the Loma Prieta earthquake

1988
- Named managing agency of the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, which administers the voter-approved half cent sales for transportation improvements

1986
- Introduced seven monthly unlimited-ride passes.

1978
- Formed unique fare stabilization plan for Southern Pacific rail riders. This plan ultimately led to SamTrans joining Caltrain, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and Muni in a long-term agreement with Southern Pacific for Caltrain rail service.

1977
- Began offering service for customers with mobility impairments through its Redi-Wheels paratransit program.

1976
- Consolidated 11 municipal bus systems into the San Mateo County Transit District, commonly known as SamTrans

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