San Carlos, Calif.’s San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) approved over $83 million in funding to support a wide range of county transit access and mobility projects. 

The investments, approved at the TA’s June board meeting, aim to reduce traffic congestion, improve regional connectivity, and expand equitable transportation infrastructure through two complementary grant programs: the San Mateo County Shuttle Program and the new Regional Transit Connections (RTC) Program.

Investing in Seamless, Sustainable Mobility

Awards include:

Peninsula Shuttle Program: $13.6 Million for First/Last-Mile Solutions

The TA awarded $13.6 million in Measure A funds for the Fiscal Year 2026–2027 San Mateo County Shuttle Program. The program will fund 23 local shuttle routes, many of which are operated by Commute.org and link regional transit systems, including Caltrain, BART, and ferry services, to key employment and residential hubs.

Awarded shuttles include:

• 19 commuter routes connecting major employment centers in Brisbane, South San Francisco, Daly City, Redwood City, and Millbrae.

• Three community shuttles provide localized service in South San Francisco and Menlo Park.

Regional Transit Connections Program: $69.7 Million for Transformational Projects

In its first funding cycle, the RTC Program awarded $69.7 million in Measure W funds to support significant regional transit projects that improve cross-jurisdictional mobility. 

Launched in 2024, the RTC Program is designed to enhance the efficiency and integration of transit across county lines through capital improvements, operational funding, and first/last-mile enhancements.

Notable projects funded under the RTC Program include:

• BART Next Generation Fare Gates – $10.3 million: Upgrades will include full-height fare gates, advanced sensors, and ADA-friendly design to reduce fare evasion and enhance station safety in San Mateo County.

• Caltrain Redwood City Four-Track Hub and Grade Separations – $13.5 million: Funds will support environmental clearance and engineering for a new Redwood City Transit Center with a four-track configuration to improve rail reliability and capacity.

• SamTrans Dumbarton West Connector – $16.25 million: This planning and design project will create a dedicated busway linking the Peninsula to the Dumbarton Corridor, with multimodal enhancements that support historically underserved communities.

“The Regional Transit Connections Program is a game changer for San Mateo County,” said TA Executive Director April Chan. “These projects strengthen critical connections and lay the foundation for a more seamless and equitable transit network.”

A Vision Funded by Voters

The funding comes from two voter-approved local sales tax measures: Measure A, first passed in 1988 and extended in 2004, funds transportation improvements such as local shuttles and highway upgrades; and Measure W, passed in 2018, provides funding for transit operations, regional connections, and safety improvements.

With these latest awards, the TA continues to fulfill its mission of delivering high-impact, community-informed transit solutions to meet the region’s growing transportation needs.