Contact: Jonah Weinberg, 650-508-6238

SamTrans Asks Riders To "Tell A Neighbor" About Coastside Commute Options

SamTrans is asking coastside riders who live south of Devil’s Slide to reach out to their neighbors to help spread the word about the commute options available to them while Highway 1 remains closed.

“Commuters who are used to traveling Highway 92 in their own car need to know they have choices when it comes to getting over the hill,” said San Mateo County Transit District Chairman, Jim Hartnett, who is also on the city council for Redwood City. “Of course we believe SamTrans bus service is a great option, but it’s not the only one, and we want to help people understand what their options are.”

SamTrans has information in English and Spanish on its coastside buses about commute options ranging from bus routes and shared rides, to online resources as well.

For those interested in bus service, Route 294 runs weekdays from Montara to San Mateo, and weekends from Montara to the Daly City BART Station. Route 17 runs along the coast from Moss Beach through Half Moon Bay, where passengers can link up with Route 294.

People interested in rideshare options can call 511 for more information or visit www.rideshare.511.org, where individuals can connect for rides headed in the same direction or even to the same company. The City of Half Moon Bay is currently working to develop Park & Ride options for residents, in conjunction with the chamber of commerce. For information about local carpool and Park & Ride developments call the City of Half Moon Bay at 650-726-8260.

Sometimes just knowing the traffic situation can help commuters adjust their plans so they don’t get caught in bumper-to-bumper jams. 511 and www.511.org are ideal for helping commuters stay on top of the driving conditions throughout the Bay Area. This service is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

“Our SamTrans customers already know about service to get over the hill,” said Hartnett, “but if each of them can share this information with a friend or neighbor, it can help make everyone’s commute a little more convenient.”

05/03/06 - jbw