Milestones

2022:

• April Chan becomes first female General Manager of SamTrans
• Reimagine SamTrans system redesign begins service, in August.

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