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2024 – Media Releases

October 25, 2024: SMART awarded $81M by State of California to extend passenger rail service to northern Sonoma County

September 11, 2024: SMART receives $7M grant for bicycle and pedestrian pathway in Santa Rosa

August 22, 2024: SMART expands service area of SMART Connect Airport Station shuttle

July 18, 2024: Record number of school commuters expected on SMART this fall

June 19, 2024: SMART launches new shuttle connecting Larkspur station and ferry terminal

June 7, 2024: SMART breaks ground on Rohnert Park–Santa Rosa pathway: A green step forward for North Bay

May 1, 2024: SMART sets new record for green transit choice with unprecedented ridership

April 1, 2024: Youth and seniors now ride fare free on SMART

March 14, 2024: SMART to temporarily close part of system March 23–24 and April 13–14 for construction of new Petaluma North station

February 1, 2024: SMART Tracks to Taps campaign promotes local craft breweries

2023 – Media Releases

October 5, 2023: October issue of the On Track newsletter

September 25, 2023: SMART awarded $32M for extension of passenger rail to Healdsburg and purchase of low emission freight locomotives

September 11, 2023: Petaluma's Meridian at Petaluma North Station Project Receives $30.2M for Affordable Housing

September 6, 2023: September issue of the On Track newsletter

August 3, 2023: August issue of the On Track newsletter

July 18, 2023: SMART reduces price of 31-Day Pass in response to hybrid work week

July 5, 2023: SMART secures critical funding for construction of extensions to Windsor and Healdsburg

June 23, 2023: SMART will offer expanded late evening service for the Marin County Fair

June 13, 2023: SMART launches on demand microtransit shuttle with ribbon cutting celebration

May 16, 2023: Free public transit for K-12 youth in Marin and Sonoma counties during June, July, and August 2023

May 8, 2023: State Highway 37 will be closed Saturday, May 20 – Sunday, May 21 to repair railroad crossing near junction with Highway 121 at Sears Point

April 5, 2023: City of Santa Rosa offering discounted parking permit for SMART rail communters

February 8, 2023: SMART pathway funds programmed for Marin and Sonoma by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission

January 31, 2023: SMART secures $34M toward the construction of the system's northern extensions

January 26, 2023: Supreme Court ruling on RM3 positions SMART to be able to construct northern extensions

2022 – Media Releases

December 29, 2022:  $1.8M in Federal Funding for Design of SMART Extension to Healdsburg

November 29, 2022: SMART will host annual Holiday Express Toy Drive on December 3

October 21, 2022: SMART and City of Petaluma announce Grand Opening celebration for bicycle and pedestrian pathway

October 19, 2022: SMART announces NEW school field trip program

September 7, 2022: SMART will offer NEW midday train service and improved connections to the Golden Gate ferry

August 24, 2022: SMART marks 5th anniversary of startup of passenger service

August 17, 2022: SMART extends reduced fares, suspension of parking fees at SMART parking lots through June 30, 2023

July 3, 2022: SMART and City of Petaluma announce $13M received for major transportation improvements in Petaluma

June 1, 2022: SMART announces special San Francisco Giants ferry service on June 12 and 26

May 4, 2022: SMART announces 10 trips added to its weekday schedule beginning on Monday, June 13

April 7, 2022: SMART announces Sunday service returns on May 1

March 31, 2022: SMART seeks community input on Planning for the Future initiative

March 16, 2022: SMART extends promotional fares, removes parking fees at SMART parking lots

March 7, 2022: SMART announces two to graduate from in-house training program for essential railroad positions

2021 – Media Releases

October 20, 2021: SMART appoints Eddy Cumins as new General Manager

May 26, 2021: SMART statement regarding incident at the Santa Clara Valley Transit Valley Transit Authority

May 19, 2021: SMART launches Welcome Back Campaign with a new expanded service schedule and reduced fares

April 23, 2021: SMART Board of Directors approve $21.4 million Capital Improvement Plan 

March 19, 2021: Lawsuit challenges construction or planned construction of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District's pathway along the railroad right-of-way

March 16, 2021: SMART announces new UV light sterilization upgrades are completed

February 24, 2021: SMART, Marin Transit, and Golden Gate Offer Free Rides to COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments

January 29, 2021: State of California awards SMART $1.45M for Freight Rail Investments

2020 – Media Releases

December 16, 2020: SMART announces in-house training program for essential positions

November 19, 2020: SMART To Join Bay Area Low-Income Fare Program

November 4, 2020: SMART hires Heather McKillop as new CFO

October 30, 2020: SMART cuts costs by refinancing construction bonds

October 12, 2020: SMART receives AA rating on refinancing its construction bonds

June 17, 2020: SMART Board of Directors authorize funds for a second train station in Petaluma

May 11, 2020: SMART seeks community input on proposed service reductions

April 17, 2020: SMART Citizen Oversight Committee to meet via Zoom teleconference

April 10, 2020: SMART to hold Board of Directors Meeting via Zoom teleconference

April 3, 2020: SMART will implement further temporary reductions to service levels on Monday, April 6

March 20, 2020: SMART makes additional schedule changes amid statewide Shelter in Place Orders

March 17, 2020: SMART to cancel selected weekday train trips due to shelter-in-place orders for Marin and Sonoma counties

March 16, 2020: SMART is temporarily cancelling weekend train service

March 5, 2020: SMART is taking proactive measures regarding the coronavirus

March 2, 2020: SMART ridership rises 40% over last year

February 6, 2020: SMART ridership gropws 26% in January, 2020

February 5, 2020: SMART establishes a 50% discount fare policy for low-income riders

January 15, 2020: SMART's green commuters reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 33% compared to using an automobile

2019 – Media Releases

December 31, 2019: SMART launches into 2020 with a new schedule

December 6, 2019: SMART will begin passenger service to the new Larkspur and Downtown Novato stations on December 14, 2019

November 27, 2019: SMART will offer fare-FREE service during the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend

November 21, 2019: SMART announces new train schedule to take effect on January 1, 2020

November 18, 2019: SMART announces new Communications and Marketing Manager

November 14, 2019: SMART to begin simulated service for the Larkspur station on Sunday, November 17

November 13, 2019: SMART completes testing for the Novato Downtown station

November 8, 2019: SMART offers veterans and active-duty military personnel, and their families free train service on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11

November 6, 2019: SMART to operate a bus bridge from Petaluma to Novato on Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10

October 30, 2019: North Santa Rosa evacuation orders lifted, SMART to serve all stations - Sonoma County Airport to San Rafael beginning October 31; SMART continues free service

October 29: SMART will run free limited service Wednesday, October 30 - Wednesday, November 6

October 28, 2019: SMART to cancel Tuesday, October 29 train service due to Public Safety Power Shutdown impacts on local city traffic signal systems

October 27, 2019: SMART to cancel Monday, October 28 train service due to Public Safety Power Shutdown impacts on local city traffic systems

October 27, 2019: SMART to cancel train service due to malfunction of local traffic signal systems resulting from Public Safety Power Shutdown

September 19, 2019: Law enforcement agencies to join SMART in promoting rail safety

August 28, 2019: SMART to post schedule for overnight testing

August 19, 2019: In preparation for opening the Larkspur Extension SMART to conduct overnight testing of train control systems

June 12, 2019: SMART to add a late-night train run during the Marin County Fair

June 4, 2019: SMART San Rafael Station and a portion of 3rd street in San Rafael closed this weekend for Larkspur extension construction

May 29, 2019: Weekend Street Closures: SMART to close portion of 2nd and 3rd streets in San Rafael for Larkspur extension construction

May 23, 2019: SMART to kick-off free weekend rides for youth 18 and under this summer

May 22, 2019: SMART to offer free train service Memorial Day weekend for veterans, and active duty military personnel

May 16, 2019: SMART, Sonoma County and Marin County offer veterans, and active duty military personnel and their families free train service and free entry to regional parks on Memorial Day weekend

May 15, 2019: SMART to offer free rides on weekends this summer for youth 18 and under

May 14, 2019: SMART to close portion of 2nd and 3rd streets in San Rafael for Larkspur extension construction

March 13, 2019: SMART to surpass the 100,000-cyclist mark 

January 31, 2019: SMART recommended to receive for $12.6 million grant for bicycle and pedestrian pathway

January 15, 2019: SMART trains poised to reach the 1 million passenger mark

January 9, 2019: SMART conducting overnight testing for the City of Petaluma this week

2018 – Media Releases

December 10, 2018: SMART conducts overnight vehicle safety testing on four new rail cars

December 3, 2018: SMART’s Holiday Express Toy Drive Train debuts Saturday

November 14, 2018: SMART to clear brush along rail corridor

September 13, 2018: Join SMART in Promoting Rail Safety

August 15, 2018: SMART celebrates its first year of service with a festival on August 18 and free train service on the weekend of the event

July 18, 2018: SMART celebrates its first year of service with a festival on August 18 and free train service on the weekend of the event

May 24, 2018: SMART Receives Transit/Rail Project of the Year Award

April 27, 2018: Freight Operator Northwestern Pacific Railroad Co. to Conduct Positive Train Control Testing in Santa Rosa

April 26, 2018: SMART receives $21 million in state funding for its extension to Windsor

April 9, 2018: SMART secures funding from the Federal Transit Administration for the Larkspur extension

April 4, 2018: Freight Operator Northwestern Pacific Railroad Company to conduct Positive Train Control testing in Rohnert Park

March 28, 2018: Freight Operator Northwestern Pacific Railroad Company to begin Positive Train Control testing in the North Bay

March 12, 2018: SMART’s finances earn high marks from major credit rating firm

January 31, 2018: SMART Service Resumes Schedule

January 30, 2018: SMART awarded $10.5 million in Senate Bill 1 funding

January 5, 2018: SMART to add third car to popular commuter train

 

2017 – Media Releases

December 6, 2017: SMART Holiday Express toy drive expands to meet growing need

November 15, 2017: SMART launches two programs for businesses and individuals impacted by the Sonoma County fires

October 17, 2017: SMART continues to provide free service through Friday to assist those needing transportation

October 15, 2017: SMART to reopen Sonoma County Airport and Santa Rosa North stations Monday and continue free service

October 11, 2017: SMART continues free train service through Sunday

October 10, 2017: SMART continues free train service with 28 daily trips

October 9, 2017: SMART will run free limited service Tuesday

October 9, 2017: SMART resumes limited emergency service with roundtrips from downtown Santa Rosa to downtown San Rafael

October 9, 2017: SMART morning service canceled due to extreme fire conditions

September 28, 2017: Construction News Advisory: Road Closure at Francisco Blvd. West

August 22, 2017: SMART hosts Grand Opening Celebration for the public in Santa Rosa to commemorate the start of passenger service

August 17, 2017: SMART receives final approval from the Federal Railroad Administration: Full service to begin August 25

July 13, 2017: SMART partners with Becoming Independent to offer onboard snack and beverage service for passengers

July 3, 2017: SMART announces dates and schedule for free public Preview Rides in July

June 28, 2017: SMART adds more trips for free public preview to Marin County Fair

June 26, 2017: SMART begins free public preview rides this week

June 21, 2017: SMART awards Larkspur Extension contract to Stacy and Witbeck/Herzog

June 7, 2017: SMART "soft launch" to offer preview rides to the public

June 6, 2017: Santa Rosa added to list of jurisdictions with Quiet Zones

May 31, 2017: San Rafael Police Department to step-up enforcement at railroad crossings

May 23, 2017: SMART adjusts passenger service schedule

May 22, 2017:  Petaluma added to list of jurisdictions with Quiet Zones

May 17, 2017: SMART releases passenger train service schedule

May 11, 2017: SMART to begin testing service schedule

March 17, 2017: Daniel Hillmer joins SMART District Board of Directors​

January 18, 2017: SMART testing trains at increased speeds, reminds the public to be safe around trains and tracks<

January 4, 2017: Debora Fudge selected to lead SMART Board of Directors

January 4, 2017: SMART Board of Directors approve free introductory service for a limited period, plus a new monthly pass

2016 – Media Releases

December 1, 2016: SMART Holiday Express toy drive

November 7, 2016: SMART increases track speeds during testing

September 26, 2016: SMART systemwide testing ramps up

September 7, 2016: SMART advancing into next phase of systemwide testing

August 31, 2016: SMART calls for proposals for concession services onboard trains

August 19, 2016: SMART asks for feedback on bicycle parking plan

August 11, 2016: Rep. Huffman announces $3 million in funding for Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) District system

June 22, 2016: New consensus to repurpose funding to 101 narrows and transit center

June 10, 2016: SMART and Sonoma County Transit to hold public meeting on bus-train service connections

April 13, 2016: Rail grinding and maintenance activities in San Rafael

April 6, 2016: SMART receives key environmental approval for bicycle and pedestrian pathway

April 7, 2016: SMART conducts systemwide testing

February 26, 2016: City officials prepare for SMART passenger train to arrive in downtown San Rafael

February 25, 2016: SMART passenger train to arrive in downtown San Rafael

February 19, 2016: SMART hires communication and marketing manager

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