California’s San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) issued a new order for 55 clean diesel, 60-foot Xcelsior® heavy-duty transit buses from New Flyer.
The buses, funded by Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants, will replace buses from 2002 that have exceeded their useful life and will also help increase service along El Camino Real on SamTrans’ ECR Route, where 35% of all system boardings occur.
In December 2014, SamTrans approved a five-year strategic plan focused on five goals for 2015 to 2019: increasing bus ridership by 15%, growing passenger fare revenue by 20%, reducing annual debt service by $1.5 million, improving organizational performance, and managing workforce change.
The San Mateo County Transit District provides public transit and transportation programs in San Mateo County, supporting over 13 million passengers per year with bus, paratransit, and commuter rail service.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
Rolling out in electric yellow and seafoam blue, the first battery-electric buses purchased from GILLIG will begin serving riders in south King County on February 2.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, MCTS, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
While their comprehensive analysis of bus stops focused on Massachusetts, the researchers are excited about the generalizability of the findings and application to other locations.
CEO Nat Ford’s address offered a look at highlights from 2025, with a focus on the future and the innovative ways the JTA is shaping mobility in Northeast Florida.