Contact: Jonah Weinberg, 650-508-6238

SamTrans Essay Contest – 30 years of recollections

SamTrans is offering a chance for passengers and the community to help celebrate its 30th anniversary this year with an essay on the topic of “What SamTrans Has Meant to Me.” Entries for the contest will be accepted through Oct. 27.

SamTrans buses first rolled on to San Mateo County streets on July 1, 1976, and since then it has carried more than half a billion customers. In its first year, SamTrans served four million riders. Today, ridership has grown to more than 14 million a year. On an average week day, SamTrans buses travel 32,000 miles and carry nearly 50,000 passengers.

Thousands of San Mateo County residents have grown up with SamTrans and have made its service a regular part of their lives. Some remember when SamTrans was just starting out, after consolidating 11 local bus agencies. Some have fond memories of taking SamTrans to the pumpkin festival in Half Moon Bay or to see the 49ers. Still others take the bus every day and look forward to seeing their favorite bus operator.

A panel of judges will select the top three essays, and prizes will be awarded to the winning authors. The winning essays will be published in a special publication that will be available on SamTrans buses and its Web site.

First prize is a one-night stay at the Tuscan Inn on Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, dinner for two and a monthly SamTrans pass. Second prize is a dinner or brunch cruise for two from Hornblower Cruises and a monthly SamTrans pass. Third prize is a “family fun pack” of tickets, including four passes to each of the following: Roaring Camp Railroads, Winchester Mystery House, San Francisco Wax Museum, Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruises, and the San Francisco Exploratorium. Ten runners up will receive $20 gift certificates to Fresh Choice salad bar restaurants.

For official rules visit www.samtrans.com/essaycontest. Entries must be received by SamTrans by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, 2006, and can be submitted via the following methods:

US Mail:
SamTrans 30th Anniversary Essay Contest 1250 San Carlos Ave., P.O. Box 3006 San Carlos, CA 94070-1306

Fax:
650-508-7919

E-mail:
essay@samtrans.com

09/22/06 - jbw