Sonoma County commuters now have significantly more SMART train options after the regional rail service added nearly a fifth more daily trips on April 12, as part of a sweeping consolidation of North Bay transit known as MASCOTS.
Key takeaways
- SMART now operates 48 weekday trips (up from 42) and 24 weekend trips (up from 16) — a 19% overall increase.
- The new schedule adds earlier morning, later evening, and additional midday service.
- Golden Gate Transit’s Route 101 bus now terminates in Novato rather than running into Sonoma County.
- SMART has shored up fuel supply reliability by contracting with three diesel vendors instead of one.
- A quarter-cent sales tax supporting SMART operations goes before Sonoma and Marin County voters on June 2.
More trains, fewer buses: what the changes mean
The expansion is part of MASCOTS — Marin-Sonoma Coordinated Transit Service — a regional reorganization that routes more cross-county riders onto SMART’s rail spine while pulling back bus service that duplicated the train’s corridor. Golden Gate Transit, which previously ran Route 101 buses from San Francisco into Sonoma County, now terminates that route in Novato. Riders continuing north are expected to board a SMART train at one of the Novato stations or further south, according to the Press Democrat.
The new schedule fills gaps commuters have long wanted addressed: earlier morning departures, later evening return trips, and more frequent midday service. Weekend riders benefit even more sharply — available trips jumped from 16 to 24, a 50% increase. The changes follow SMART’s recent infrastructure wins, including the opening of the Larkspur extension and expanded service that has paralleled growth at Sonoma County Airport, where Southwest Airlines launched service this spring to strong ridership.
Behind the scenes: fuel supply fix
Along with the schedule expansion, SMART resolved an operational problem that had periodically affected service reliability: a single-supplier fuel contract that led to missed and late diesel deliveries. The agency has now contracted with Western States Oil Co. as its primary supplier, with Ramos Oil Co. and Pinnacle Petroleum as backups. Agency officials said the multi-vendor arrangement is intended to prevent service disruptions caused by supply chain problems with a single provider.
June 2 ballot measure could shape SMART’s future
The service expansion arrives at a pivotal moment for the agency. A quarter-cent sales tax that helps fund SMART operations goes before Sonoma and Marin County voters on June 2. Unlike many California transit measures, this one requires only a simple majority to pass. Supporters are hoping the more robust service schedule makes a compelling argument for renewal at the ballot box.
The timing is notable: as Sonoma County faces mounting pressure on its public budget — a central theme at this week’s county budget workshops focused on federal funding cuts — transit agencies are making the case that reliable public transportation becomes more essential, not less, when residents are looking to reduce costs and cars.
Frequently asked questions
Will my commute actually improve with these changes?
If you travel between Sonoma County and Marin County by rail, yes. SMART now operates 48 weekday trips (up from 42), with new early-morning and late-evening options added to fill previous gaps. Weekend service also grew from 16 to 24 trips. The changes took effect April 12, so updated schedules are already live at the SMART website.
What happened to the Golden Gate Transit bus from Sonoma County to San Francisco?
Golden Gate Transit’s Route 101 bus now terminates in Novato rather than continuing into Sonoma County. Riders heading south toward San Francisco or points in Marin are expected to board SMART in Sonoma County and connect with bus or ferry service further south. Golden Gate Transit is scaling back its northernmost routes as regional planners consolidate cross-bay travel onto the SMART rail corridor.
What is on the June 2 ballot for SMART?
Sonoma and Marin County voters will decide whether to renew a quarter-cent sales tax that helps fund SMART’s operations. The measure requires a simple majority — 50% plus one vote — to pass. SMART officials say the revenue is essential to maintaining current service levels; without renewal, future service cuts or fare increases could follow.
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