Reimagine SamTrans – Implementation

 

Getting around San Mateo County just got better.

Students Reading Book on Bus
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! 

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.

Route Approved Changes Implemented in Phase 1 (August and November 2022) Approved Changes Implemented in Phase 2 (June 2023) Approved Future Changes – Phase and Timing To Be Determined
ECR Routing changes

No changes

 

Increase frequency on weekends

Bus stop balancing/consolidation

ECR OWL New route name for overnight trips (route ECR Owl) No changes No additional changes planned
EPX Route not operating Route not operating Launch new route
FCX No changes No changes Increased frequency on weekdays
FLX Pacifica Eliminate route -- --
SFO Eliminate route -- --
110 Routing changes (removal of Longview deviation, incorporate Linda Mar loop)
School trips operated as new route 10
No changes Increased frequency on weekdays and weekends
112 Routing changes (truncate route at Sharp Park)
School trips operated as new route 12
No changes No additional changes planned
117 New route number (route 117)
Routing changes
Increased frequency on weekends
No changes No additional changes planned
118 Route not operating Route not operating

Reinstate route
Route alignment changes (removal of Colma BART)
Increased frequency on weekdays


 
120 No changes No changes Increased frequency on weekend evenings
121 Routing changes 

Extend service hours on weekdays

Increased frequency on weekdays and weekends

Extend service hours on weekend evenings

No additional changes planned
122 No changes No changes No changes planned
130 Routing changes (removal of Sickles loop; extend route to Oyster Point Marina
Increased frequency on weekends
No changes Extend service hours on weekend evenings
138

New route number (route 138)

Routing changes
No changes No additional changes planned
140 Eliminate Route -- --
141

Routing changes

Extended service hours on weekdays

School trips operating as new routes 40 and 41
No changes Extend service hours on weekdays and weekends in evenings
142 Implement new route No changes No additional changes planned
249 Route not operating Route not operating Launch new route
250 Routing changes (new routing on Franklin Parkway and W Hillsdale)
Operate school trips as new route 50
No changes
Increase frequency on weekdays and weekends
251 Routing changes
Operate school trips as new route 51
No changes Add new Sunday service
256 Eliminate route -- --
260 Routing changes  No changes

Increased frequency on weekdays

Add new Sunday service


 
270 No changes No changes No changes planned
274 Eliminate route -- --
275 Eliminate route (consolidate with route 278) -- --
276 Route not operating Reinstate route

Increased weekday frequencies

Add new weekend service

278 Increased weekday frequencies
Add new Sunday service
Extended service hours on weekdays and weekends

Increased weekday frequencies

280 No changes  

Route alignment changes 

 

Reduce frequency

No additional changes planned
281 No changes  

Route alignment changes (extend to Stanford University)

 

Increased weekday and weekend frequencies

 

Extend service hours on Sundays

 

No additional changes planned
286

Routing changes

Renamed to route 86

No changes No additional changes planned
292 Routing changes No changes

Bus stop balancing/consolidation

Schedule adjustments

294 Routing changes
Increased frequency on weekdays
No changes No additional changes planned
295 Routing changes
Increased weekday frequency
Extend service hours on weekdays Add new weekend service
296 Routing changes No changes Increased frequency on weekdays and weekends
296 OWL New route name for overnight trips on 296 (route 296 Owl) No changes No additional changes planned
397 No changes No changes No additional changes planned
398 Reduced frequency No changes Eliminate route
Route Approved Changes Implemented in Phase 1 (August 2022) Approved Future Changes – Phase and Timing To Be Determined
10 Launch new school-oriented route To be determined based on annual school-oriented route assessment
12 Launch new school-oriented route To be determined based on annual school-oriented route assessment
40 Launch new school-oriented route To be determined based on annual school-oriented route assessment
41 Launch new school-oriented route To be determined based on annual school-oriented route assessment
42 Launch new school-oriented route To be determined based on annual school-oriented route assessment
51 Launch new school-oriented route To be determined based on annual school-oriented route assessment
37 Routing changes (consolidate with route 39 route) To be determined based on annual school-oriented route assessment
39 Eliminate route --
53 Routing changes (consolidate with route 55 route) To be determined based on annual school-oriented route assessment
55 Eliminate route --
61 Routing changes (consolidate with route 95) To be determined based on annual school-oriented route assessment
95 Eliminate route --
80 Eliminate route --
83 Routing changes (consolidate with route 84) To be determined based on annual school-oriented route assessment
84 Eliminate route --
85 Delete morning trip To be determined based on annual school-oriented route assessment
87 Delete morning trip To be determined based on annual school-oriented route assessment
Route Approved Changes Implemented in Phase 1 (August 2022 Approved Changes Implemented in Phase 2 (June 2023) Approved Future Changes – Phase and Timing To Be Determined
Half Moon Bay On-Demand Service Service not operating Launch new service No changes planned, evaluation ongoing
East Palo Alto On-Demand Service Service not operating Launch new service No changes planned, evaluation ongoing