MENU
SEARCHData from May 2024 show fixed route ridership hit 98.2% of May 2019 levels, well above regional and national recovery trends.
The successful implementation of the Reimagine SamTrans initiative has been a collaborative effort, involving extensive input from riders, community stakeholders, and transit experts.
Photo: SamTrans/Proterra
San Carlos, California’s SamTrans expects ridership rates to surpass pre-pandemic levels in the coming months as it enters the fourth and final phase of its Reimagine SamTrans initiative.
Data from May 2024 show fixed route ridership hit 98.2% of May 2019 levels, well above regional and national recovery trends.
"We are thrilled to launch the final phase of Reimagine SamTrans, culminating two years of dedicated efforts to revitalize our transit system,” said SamTrans GM/CEO April Chan. “And, by all measures, it’s working as intended.”
The latest Reimagine changes will go into effect on August 4, introducing two new routes, returning one route, and bringing enhanced service frequency and hours to several others.
The initiative was developed during the early days of the pandemic to adapt the transit network to better meet the evolving needs of the community.
Implementation began in summer 2022 after more than two years of data gathering, analysis, and robust public engagement. It has been rolled out in multiple phases, each focusing on specific improvements to routes, schedules, and services.
Highlights of Phase Four include:
Enhanced Service Frequency
New Weekend Service.
New Routes.
Returned Route with New Routing.
Direct Service to Salesforce Transit Center.
From phase one through phase four, Reimagine SamTrans has boosted in-service hours by 12%, increased bus operator workforce by 15%, increased the frequency of service on 15 routes, added an on-demand service (Ride Plus) in two areas, and brought bus service to new destinations, at more times, on more days of the week.
“We’re excited to see the continued growth we expect to come from these latest changes,” said Chan. “Although Reimagine SamTrans is entering its final phase, this does not mark the end of the road for our improvements. Reimagine gave us a winning recipe for success that we plan to use moving forward."
The successful implementation of the Reimagine SamTrans initiative has been a collaborative effort, involving extensive input from riders, community stakeholders, and transit experts.
The agency looks forward to continuing this partnership as it strives to maintain and build upon the progress achieved.
Under this extension, Keolis will continue to manage and operate fixed-route bus service across the East Valley, serving communities including Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, the town of Gilbert, parts of Phoenix, and the Gila River Indian Community.
Read More →
The new network reflects extensive input from riders and the community through Reimagine DART on what matters most in public transit — and those priorities are reflected in the changes ahead.
Read More →
A new bus lane project aims to improve reliability on one of King County Metro’s busiest and most congestion-prone corridors.
Read More →
While recognizing regional economic constraints and continuing to improve service, the budget increases the jurisdictional subsidy to less than 1.8%, significantly below the inflation rate and the 3% regional target, said agency officials.
Read More →
Coalition leaders outline priorities for preserving bus funding, maintaining competitive grants, and ensuring flexibility for transit agencies nationwide.
Read More →
In the coming months, the parties will develop an interlocal agreement for the city’s annexation into Community Transit’s district. The proposal will be considered by the Everett City Council and the Community Transit board this fall, said officials.
Read More →
Two battery-electric buses entered service on Earth Day, with four additional vehicles expected to join the fleet this summer. Seven more buses are planned for the end of 2027, bringing Metro’s total zero-emission fleet to 13.
Read More →
A 5% rise in deliveries and a surge in zero-emission buses signaled progress in 2025, but high costs, long lead times, and shifting funding priorities continue to cloud the outlook.
Read More →
The agencies, San Diego MTS and NCTD - San Diego Railroad, which share a fare system (PRONTO), proposed the changes to help address their respective financial sustainability strategies.
Read More →
The project was awarded under the Washington State Contract, enabling FAX to streamline its procurement processes while ensuring value and quality from an experienced transit solutions provider, said officials.
Read More →