2022:
- April Chan becomes first female General Manager of SamTrans
2020:
- SamTrans adapts and survives COVID Pandemic
2019:
- Launched the FCX Express bus from Foster City to San Francisco
- Launched Reimagine SamTrans
2018:
- Purchased 10 electric buses and 55 clean-diesel articulated buses
- Entered into agreement with Facebook and Plenary Group to explore development of the Dumbarton Transportation Corridor
- Initiated new Route SFO and ECR Rapid bus service
- Approved Coastside Study
- Launched SamTrans Mobile and Youth Mobility Ambassador Program
- Adopted SamTrans Business Plan
2017:
- Began live-streaming monthly Board meetings
- Approved Youth Mobility Plan
- Adopted final Dumbarton Transportation Corridor Study
- Determined goals for prioritizing transportation investments through Get Us Moving public education/engagement efforts
2016
- Signed an agreement with Facebook to launch the Dumbarton Corridor Study
- Displayed a special art exhibit at the Peninsula Museum of Art for school children that participated in the 2016 "Art Takes a Bus Ride Contest"
- Launched online sales for Summer Youth Pass
- Offered all day free rides on the ECR and Route 294 buses for annual "Dump the Pump" Day
2015
- Implemented the 2015-2019 Strategic Plan
- Hired new GM/CEO Jim Hartnett to lead the Transit District
- Partnered with local veterans' organizations on public transit initiatives
- Brought back the SamTrans Bus Roadeo after a seven year absence
2014
- Implemented systemwide service changes as part of the SamTrans Service Plan, which increased frequency on a number of core routes
- Redesigned all bus stop signs and added information for accessing real-time departures
- Installed a new bus stop at the Devil's Slide trail head
- Celebrated the 10th anniversary of "Art Takes a Bus Ride" contest for students
2013
- Purchased its first fleet of hybrid buses (25), which were manufactured by Gillig across the bay in Hayward
- Combined mainline Routes 390 and 391 into Route ECR, which travels from Palo Alto to Daly City. The route operates every 15 minutes on weekdays
- Added SamTrans route locations and times to Google Maps
- Graduated the largest class of bus operators in SamTrans history: 27
2012
- Replaced paper Monthly passes with Clipper card
- Introduced a Day Pass, which allows customers unlimited rides all day for a single fare
- Introduced weekend Route ECR, providing service every 20 minutes along El Camino Real between Palo Alto and Daly City
2011
- Started accepting Clipper, the 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 moved 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 Parks' 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
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 with Route 17
1999
- 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 the Daly City BART Station and San Francisco International Airport
1993
- Became fully wheelchair accessible with purchase of 133 new buses
- Expanded Redi-Wheels program with the purchase of 19 new 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 from San Francisco to San Jose, and formed the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board along with SFMTA and VTA to manage it
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 Caltrans, 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 the Redi-Wheels paratransit program
1976
- Consolidated 11 municipal bus systems into the San Mateo County Transit District, commonly known as SamTrans