METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

California's SamTrans Adopts Strategic Plan for Next Decade

The plan provides a comprehensive policy framework to shape SamTrans’ service priorities, operational strategies, and investments.

November 7, 2024
California's SamTrans Adopts Strategic Plan for Next Decade

The planning process incorporated extensive input from both internal and external stakeholders, including SamTrans employees and the broader Peninsula community. 

Photo: SamTrans

2 min to read


California’s San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) board approved a new strategic plan, “Moving San Mateo County," designed to guide major agency decisions through 2035. 

The plan provides a comprehensive policy framework to shape SamTrans’ service priorities, operational strategies, and investments. 

Ad Loading...

Plan Features

The plan also outlines SamTrans' roles as a workplace, an employer and a managing agency for other regional transportation entities, including Caltrain and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA). 

The plan focuses on four main areas: 

  • Vision: The District provides an exceptional mobility experience for the people and communities in San Mateo County. 

  • Mission: Working together to revolutionize mobility and create a more equitable and sustainable region. 

  • Core Values:Equity, excellence, innovation, partnership, safety, and sustainability. 

  • Goals: Deliver better mobility services, provide outstanding customer experience, become an employer of choice, lead responsibly, ensure effective management, and exercise collective efforts. 

Trust the Process

The planning process incorporated extensive input from both internal and external stakeholders, including SamTrans employees and the broader Peninsula community. 

Feedback was gathered through interviews, surveys, workshops, listening sessions, and community meetings. 

Ad Loading...

The plan also reflects insights from recent District initiatives, including Reimagine SamTrans, the Bus Stop improvement Program, and multiple passenger surveys. 

While the plan’s adoption does not immediately impact the District’s budget, some elements will require funding, which will be presented to the board during future budget cycles.

More Management

Managementby StaffMarch 19, 2026

People Movement: The Latest from TARTA, STV, and More

METRO’s People Movement highlights the latest leadership changes, promotions, and personnel news across the public transit, motorcoach, and people mobility sectors.

Read More →
A BART railcar
Managementby StaffMarch 19, 2026

BART Monetizes Empty Parking With New Online Leasing Tool

BART began offering select parking lots to non-BART riders to generate new revenue to help address its FY27 $376M operating budget deficit brought on by remote work.

Read More →
MTA Chair & CEO Janno Lieber sits with a customer service employee and takes calls.
Managementby Elora HaynesMarch 19, 2026

Transit Agencies Nationwide Celebrate 2026 National Transit Employee Appreciation Day

Agencies across the U.S. honored transit workers on March 18, recognizing the essential roles they play in keeping communities moving daily.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cover for METROspectives with Inez Evans Benson
ManagementMarch 18, 2026

Inez Evans-Benson on Leadership and the Future of Transportation

Drawing on decades of industry experience, Evans-Benson offered insights into the differences between the two, along with tips for better customer engagement and more.

Read More →
An RTC of Washoe County bus driving down Virginia Street.
Managementby StaffMarch 18, 2026

Keolis Lands 3 Contract Renewals

The renewals include continued operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida; the PRTC in Virginia; and RTC Washoe in Nevada.  

Read More →
A MARTA employee using the new Better Breeze fare ticket machines.
Managementby StaffMarch 17, 2026

MARTA’s New 'Better Breeze' Fare System Nears Launch

The new system introduces tap-to-pay, touchscreen kiosks, and updated Breeze cards, with both old and new systems running through May.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A wide angle view of two MTA buses with three people walking between them.
Managementby StaffMarch 16, 2026

Proposed Auto Insurance Reform Would Save New York’s MTA Millions Annually

The governor’s proposed auto insurance reforms could save the agency $48 million annually by limiting payouts in crashes where buses are not primarily at fault.

Read More →
paratransit bus
SponsoredMarch 16, 2026

Measuring the True Cost of Paratransit Fleets

What truly drives the cost of a paratransit fleet? Beyond the purchase price, seven operational factors quietly determine maintenance frequency, downtime, and long-term service reliability. This whitepaper explores how these factors shape lifecycle cost and what agencies should evaluate when selecting paratransit vehicles.

Read More →
Cover photo for METROspectives with The Bus Coalition
Busby Alex RomanMarch 13, 2026

Inside The Bus Coalition’s Push for Stronger Federal Transit Investment

In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern, President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Amanda Wanke
Managementby StaffMarch 13, 2026

Des Moines DART CEO Joins Minneapolis Metro Transit

Amanda Wanke, who has worked at DART for 10 years, including the past 2½ years as CEO, will join Metro Transit as deputy chief operating officer, operations administration.

Read More →