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.
Media Contact: Mahmoud Abunie, 650-730-6201
Colorful student artwork is once again traveling through the streets of San Mateo County, as SamTrans unveiled the winners of its annual Art Takes a Bus Ride contest during its May Board of Directors meeting — this year with a special focus on the agency’s 50th anniversary.
Students from first through 12th grades were invited to bring to life the theme, “Time Travelers Take the Bus: 50 Years in Motion,” highlighting SamTrans’ legacy and imagining its future.
Now in its 18th year, the contest is a collaboration between SamTrans and the San Mateo County Office of Education, designed to engage students and underscore the importance of arts education in local communities.
More than 150 submissions were received from schools across San Mateo County. A panel from the San Mateo County Arts Commission selected the winning entries based on creativity, originality and connection to the theme.
Winners attended the Board meeting alongside their families and teachers, where they were recognized for their work. The celebration included the unveiling of two SamTrans buses wrapped in the students’ artwork, transforming them into moving canvases that will travel throughout the county.
“As we celebrate 50 years of service, it’s inspiring to see students reflect on our past and envision the future through their artwork,” said SamTrans Board Chair Marie Chuang. “These designs capture the spirit of movement, connection and innovation that has defined SamTrans for generations.”
Each winning student received a framed copy of the bus ad card featuring their artwork, along with SamTrans-branded gifts. Teachers of the selected students were awarded gift certificates for art supplies.
“This year’s theme invited students to think about time, transformation and the role public transit plays in shaping our communities,” said San Mateo County Office of Education Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator Allison Gamlen. “Their artwork reflects both a deep appreciation for SamTrans’ history and an imaginative vision for what’s ahead. We’re proud to support opportunities that elevate student voice and creativity.”
The two art-wrapped buses will operate on regular SamTrans routes throughout the year, bringing student creativity to communities across the county.
Art Takes a Bus Ride is one of many ways SamTrans connects with the communities it serves. Youth continue to be a core part of SamTrans’ ridership, and research shows that early exposure to public transit increases the likelihood of lifelong use.
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The San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) operates 74 bus routes, two on-demand service areas and paratransit, serving more than 10-million riders annually. Funded in part by a half-cent sales tax, the District also provides administrative support for Caltrain and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority.
Serving San Mateo County since 1976, SamTrans is celebrating 50 years of connecting communities, supporting mobility, and advancing public transportation throughout the county. SamTrans is proud to have twice been named Outstanding Public Transportation System by the American Public Transportation Association, recognizing the agency’s excellence in safety, service, operations, and innovation.
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