BC STAFF REPORTAs of December 2019, the region’s newest passenger rail service, Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART), now makes a complete connection to the Larkspur Ferry Terminal, opening up a critical transit gateway to the rest of the Bay Area.
Since 2017, SMART has helped passengers avoid the weekday highway 101 gridlock from highway 37 to Santa Rosa. The initial 43-mile system includes stations in the Sonoma County Airport area, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Petaluma, Novato and San Rafael.
The new SMART Larkspur station that opened in December now offers a vital connection to the Bay Area for commuters and visitors alike via the Golden Gate Ferry. The Larkspur station will also serve as a gateway for tourists wishing to visit Marin and Sonoma counties.
SMART uses the Clipper Card system for a smooth and seamless connection to other Bay Area public transit services. In connection with SMART’s service, several public transit agencies have developed routes to coordinate with the train’s schedule.
SMART passengers also receive transfer credits to make their connections with a $1.50 discount ($.75 for youth, seniors and passengers with disabilities) when transferring to Golden Gate Transit, Marin Transit, Petaluma Transit, Santa Rosa CityBus or Sonoma County Transit—all of which also accept Clipper as fare payment. The same discount applies when passengers transfer from one of these public transit providers to SMART and pay with cash value.
There is also now a new timetable featuring expanded service on weekdays, more train trips and better connections to regional transit services. The new 2020 service timetable is part of a coordinated effort with regional transit agencies to offer more efficient connections to the Larkspur ferry and bus service throughout Sonoma and Marin counties.
The increased frequency of trains will allow SMART to carry more passengers during peak commute hours and offer earlier train service on weekends. For more information, see SonomaMarinTrain.org.
