SMART poised to reach the 1 million passenger mark | Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit

SMART Set to Reach 1 Million Passenger Mark

Tuesday, January 15, 2019 - 3:05pm
The Bay Area’s newest transit system will reach an important milestone this week: Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) will surpass its 1 million-passenger mark in just over a year of service. SMART ridership statistics show that the transit agency will reach the million-rider mark by the end of this week, officials said. SMART train riders who are onboard on that special day could be among the 1,500 riders who will receive passes for free train trips, SMART officials said.

 

“We are fortunate and grateful to have such strong community support,” said Debora Fudge, chairwoman of SMART’s Board of Directors. “With each day that passes, we get closer and closer to reaching the million-rider mark. Our conductors are ready, and on the day we achieve that milestone, they will be handing out cards to passengers for free train trips. This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our riders and it is also a way for them to share their SMART train experience with a friend or family member.”


SMART began operating just over a year ago on August 25, 2017 and is slated to open its Larkspur extension later this year. Work is also underway on two new stations in Larkspur and in downtown Novato. SMART is also working on extending further north to Windsor by the end of 2021.


“This is just the beginning,” said Judy Arnold, vice chairwoman of SMART’s Board of Directors. “This year will be a banner year for SMART, with the opening of the Larkspur extension, two new stations coming online, and the addition of two new 2-car trains that will help us expand our schedule. SMART has had a strong start, and we plan to keep that momentum going until we get to Windsor, Healdsburg and Cloverdale.”