ECR Detour Now 24/7 Due to lane closures in Burlingame, ALL SamTrans route ECR & 397 service detoured onto California Dr between Rosedale and E Bellevue. More info here.
Our Story
SamTrans began service on Thursday, July 1, 1976, when several local bus systems in San Mateo County were consolidated into one agency serving the Peninsula. The move created a clearer and more consistent public transit system with a focus on countywide mobility.
In its earliest years, SamTrans moved quickly to expand what transit could offer the region. By 1977, the agency launched service along El Camino Real stretching the length of the county, strengthening a corridor that remains central to SamTrans service today.
In its earliest years, SamTrans moved quickly to expand what transit could offer the region. By 1977, the agency launched service along El Camino Real stretching the length of the county, strengthening a corridor that remains central to SamTrans service today.
Around the same time, SamTrans introduced paratransit service, 14 years before it became a federal requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
As communities and travel patterns changed, SamTrans continued to evolve. The agency modernized routes, expanded service, and invested in new ways to make transit more convenient and flexible. Most recently, SamTrans completed the Reimagine SamTrans project, a systemwide effort focused on improving reliability, access, and ease of use.
Over the past 50 years, SamTrans has provided approximately 750 million rides across San Mateo County.
SamTrans’ role has also grown beyond bus operations. The San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) now serves as the administrative home for key transportation partners, including shared services that support Caltrain and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA). Together, the District provides what the community has relied on for five decades — a transit system built to connect people, neighborhoods, and opportunities.
As the District began 2026, it was operating 74 bus routes, two on-demand service areas and the county’s paratransit, serving more than 10-million riders annually.
“Working together to revolutionize mobility and create a more equitable and sustainable region.”
SamTrans delivers safe, reliable, and affordable transportation for the people and communities of San Mateo County. Guided by a 10-year strategic and capital plan, the agency is investing in better service, a stronger customer experience, cleaner technology, and a more connected regional transit network.
SamTrans is guided by values that reflect its commitment to the people and communities it serves. These principles shape how the agency delivers service, partners with the community, and plans for the future.
50 Years Strong: The People Behind SamTrans
Behind every mile traveled and every rider served are the people who make SamTrans run. For 50 years, dedicated employees have driven buses, maintained fleets, planned service, supported riders, and kept the system moving.
This anniversary is an opportunity to share their stories. Through interviews with past and present employees, we celebrate the individuals whose work, experience, and commitment have shaped SamTrans and continue to define its culture.
SamTrans 50th Anniversary Music Contest
Celebrate 50 years of connecting communities through music. Create an original track inspired by movement, transit, and the Bay Area spirit.
Win $500 • Deadline: June 16, 2026
Celebrating 50 Years of Connection, Service, and Community
SamTrans is a trusted part of everyday life in San Mateo County — helping students get to school, employees get to work, seniors stay independent, and families stay connected. SamTrans brings communities together by creating access to opportunities, supporting equity, and caring for the people it serves. Through decades of change, SamTrans has remained committed to listening, adapting, and serving with purpose.
Celebrate 50 Years of SamTrans
Join us throughout the year as we celebrate 50 years of connecting communities across San Mateo County. From music contests and free ride days to community celebrations and special events, our 50th anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on our shared history and thank the riders, employees, partners, and community members who have been part of the journey. Explore the events below and celebrate this milestone with us.
Music Contest
Now through June 16 — Your Song. Your Story. Celebrate 50 Years of SamTrans.
Get your original song in while submissions are open! Whether you’re a musician, music lover, or simply someone who enjoys creating and sharing music, you’re invited to showcase your creativity by submitting an original song inspired by transit, community, and the role SamTrans has played in connecting people and places for the past 50 years.
50th Anniversary Music Contest | SamTrans
June 17–23 — Help Choose the Sound of 50 Years
Bay Area musicians are writing transit history! During this week, submitted songs will be reviewed by judges and opened to public voting as the community helps select the musical voices that best capture the spirit of SamTrans’ 50-year journey.
June 24 — Celebrating the Voices of our Community
Eight talented artists will each earn $500 for their original songs that celebrate SamTrans and the communities it serves. The winning entries will highlight creativity, local talent, and the shared stories that connect riders across San Mateo County.
Customer Appreciation Day
July 1 — Ride Free. Celebrating 50 Years.
Join us as we celebrate the official 50th anniversary of SamTrans with free rides all day on all SamTrans routes! This Customer Appreciation Day is our way of saying thank you to the riders, employees, and communities who have been part of our journey over the past five decades. Hop on board, ride with us, and be part of this special milestone celebration.
Community Celebration
September 26 — Celebrating 50 Years with our Community.
Everyone is invited to this special Community Celebration as we mark 50 years of partnership, inspiration, and connection. This milestone event will take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at our new headquarters in Millbrae, located at 166 North Rollins Road, Millbrae, and will bring together riders, employees, partners, and community members to celebrate the role SamTrans has played in connecting people, places, and opportunities across San Mateo County.
Enjoy a day of family-friendly activities, entertainment, food, and exhibit as we celebrate SamTrans’ history and look ahead to the future of transit in our community. We look forward to celebrating this important milestone with the community that has supported us throughout the years.
Special Edition
The 50th Anniversary Bus
Look for our specially wrapped bus featuring a stunning design that celebrates our history! A retro-inspired bus wrap that channels the style of the 1970s, celebrating when SamTrans first began serving San Mateo County.
50 Years of Milestones
Journey through five decades of innovation, growth, and community impact
2020s
- 2021 – Launches SamTrans Youth Unlimited pilot program for free rides for low-income students.
- 2023 – Ride Plus on-demand service launched in the East Palo Alto and Half Moon Bay areas.
- 2024 – Wins the American Public Transportation Award for best transit system and Reimagine SamTrans is fully implemented.
- 2025 – First hydrogen buses enter service
- 2026 – SamTrans surpasses 750-million rides
Our Team
Behind every bus and route are dedicated employees who make SamTrans run smoothly every single day
11 Years
Elbert Marshall
Elbert Marshall
Bus Operator
"I learned so much here - I wouldn't trade it for anything. Operating a bus isn't just about driving - it's about public service and keeping people safe."
25 Years
Andrew McCambridge
Andrew McCambridge
Maintenance Training Instructor
"I work with people that enjoy their job - that are motivated to give the best customer service they can. And I work with a really diverse group of people. I love it here."
18 Years
Qi Ni Chen
Qi Ni Chen
Bus Operator
"I enjoy driving - and I love seeing people everyday. I love learning more about my passengers and seeing them everyday. SamTrans was there for me during hard times - I love it here."
Join Our Team
Be part of the next chapter in SamTrans history. We're always looking for dedicated individuals to join our family.
Share Your SamTrans Story
Help us celebrate 50 years by submitting your favorite SamTrans memories and photos!