Reimagine SamTrans – Implementation

Getting around San Mateo County just got better.

You spoke, we listened...

…and now we've taken action. In March 2022, the SamTrans Board of Directors approved a set of changes to the SamTrans bus network through a project known as Reimagine SamTrans. This new network was crafted after careful consideration of what we heard from the public, from over 200 outreach meetings and thousands of comments and survey responses over the course of two and a half years.

We are now using this valuable input to implement a new, streamlined bus network with:

• Brand new routes and connections

• Faster and more direct routes

• Simpler, easier to understand routes

• Continually improving frequency

Phases 1 and 2 of Reimagine SamTrans implementation included new routes, consolidated routes and a small number of eliminated routes. 

• Route 130, now more frequent 7 days per week, provides new connections into Oyster Point and the East of 101 area in South San Francisco. 
• Routes 251 and 256 were consolidated into Route 251 in Foster City and San Mateo.
• Local routes 274, 275, and 278 were consolidated into Route 278 with new Sunday service. 
• Route 280 is streamlined with connections provided by SamTrans’ new microtransit service called Ride Plus.
• Route 281 now operates with more frequency and connects directly into the Stanford University campus.
• Route 276 is back with a new route near Marsh Road and Stanford’s Redwood City campus.
• SamTrans Ride Plus is operating in East Palo Alto/Belle Haven and in the mid-Coastside (Half Moon Bay and El Granada.)

But it doesn't stop there.

Future phases of implementation will include:

• Improved frequency on 15 routes systemwide

• More service on weekends and during midday or evening times on 10 routes

• New routes to San Mateo County community colleges

• Bus stop balancing and consolidation to improve speed and reliability on bus routes like Route ECR

SamTrans is recruiting additional bus operators so we can implement the full Reimagine SamTrans service vision! Come join us to help deliver these exciting new services. Interested in becoming a bus operator? Click here.

What to Expect Next After Phase 1 and 2

You may be asking, what changes are still to come for my route?

Reimagine SamTrans calls for more bus service in San Mateo County. Phase 1 of implementing Reimagine SamTrans occurred in August 2022 and Phase 2 in June 2023, and included only some of the changes approved in the full plan. Additional approved changes, including new routes, frequency enhancements, and expanded hours and days of service, will occur in future phases.

An overview of the Phases 1 and 2 and Future Phase changes for each route is available below. More detail on the changes for each route can be found in appendix E of the final Reimagine SamTrans plan, available for download from this webpage: https://www.samtrans.com/planning/reimagine-samtrans/resources

When will these additional changes be made?

SamTrans strives to deliver these improvements as soon as possible. However, the timing of these phases is dependent on SamTrans’ available number of bus operators and will require us to hire and train additional staff to deliver the service improvements. 

Note that SamTrans adjusts service up to four times per year (February, June, August and November). More detail on the timing of future service changes will be made available as we approach these planned dates. Please check back!