Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The energy-efficient buses, the first in the SamTrans fleet, are expected to be in service throughout San Mateo County by the end of the year. The low-floor buses use long-life, non-hazardous, maintenance-free batteries to capture and store braking energy and advanced solid state controllers to manage and blend power sources.

Unlike many other San Francisco Bay Area transit agencies, the agency hasn't made the information available on 511, the regional transit information service. Software issues have delayed a real-time bus information system for years.

APTA honored the agency with a bronze level recognition award for its commitment to sustainability. SamTrans’ Sustainability Program is spearheaded by employee volunteers who work on projects and policies that demonstrate sustainability in action, such as switching to energy-efficient lighting, using double-sided printing and changing to single stream recycling.

Mike Scanlon, CEO, San Mateo County Transit District, volunteered to sacrifice part of his $400,000 compensation package, since the three transit agencies he runs are undergoing serious budget problems. However, board members defended the salary, which they had approved.

Specific signs will be equipped with an ADA-compliant audio component, allowing passengers with disabilities to hear what is being displayed on the sign intermittingly.

Six winning designs, which were selected from more than 400 entries submitted by local students from kindergarten to fifth grade, were judged to best illustrate the theme “SamTrans Connects You to Fun Events.”

Partnership formed in fall 2008 to develop an effective way to spread the message that walking, bicycling and taking public transit are some of the easiest and most cost effective ways to reduce greenhouse gases, protect our environment and improve personal health.