SMART leaves businesses out of loop by closing rail spurs
Says some spurs need to disappear to meet federal safety guidelines for its commuter rail project. SMART is upgrading some spurs that serve legitimate businesses but can't afford to restore all the switches.
PETALUMA — Local businesses along the line being built by Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) for its commuter rail service are upset at losing direct access to freight services after a handful of rail spurs were shut off, The Press Democrat reported.
SMART says some spurs need to disappear to meet federal safety guidelines. The rail authority is upgrading some spurs that serve legitimate businesses but can't afford to restore all the switches. For the full story, click here.
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.
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The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
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.
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