SamTrans will begin providing expanded service along the Coastside, starting Sunday, July 1. Route 17, which currently travels Highway 1 between Half Moon Bay and Moss Beach, will be extended into the City of Montara. The expansion includes longer service hours, adding Sunday service, as well as additional morning and afternoon buses during the school year.

“SamTrans recognizes the transit needs of our county’s Coastside residents,” said SamTrans Chairman Marc Hershman. “We’re happy to have been able to work with our community partners to provide this added service.”

The service expansion was made possible through a Lifeline Transportation Planning grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and was developed in conjunction with the Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance and other members of the Coastside Transportation Committee (Coastside Hope, City of Half Moon Bay, Cabrillo Union School District, County of San Mateo, and City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County). The project seeks to reduce traffic congestion and create more access to alternatives to driving alone on the Coastside. Grant funding for this expansion is expected to be available until Fall 2009.

“We want to see the transit availability and use expanded throughout the Peninsula, and this project fits our goals perfectly,” said Alliance Executive Director Christine Maley-Grubl.

For SamTrans schedule information and trip planning assistance, call the SamTrans Customer Service Center at 1-800-660-4287 (TTY 650-508-6448). Representatives are available to assist customers in English, Spanish and a variety of other languages.

For information about transit incentive programs or other commute alternatives to driving, call the Alliance at 650-588-8170, or visit www.commute.org.