SMART on Track for 2016 Service

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) is opening passenger rail service between Airport Blvd in Santa Rosa and Downtown San Rafael in the fall of 2016. Before the start-up of passenger service, there are a few more milestones that must be accomplished including:

Vehicle Testing – SMART is in the process of testing all the functional components of each vehicle, including the brakes, doors lights, bathroom and control systems.

Systems Integration Testing – where a train-set is run through each grade crossing numerous times to ensure that the on-board train control system communicates the train’s location to the safety signal system and actives signals and gates.

Simulated Revenue Service - all of the trains-sets will be run per the proposed schedule (until approved by the Board of Directors), from Airport Blvd. to Downtown San Rafael, to ensure the workability of the schedule.

Launch of Passenger Service – when Simulated Revenue Service has been completed, the Federal Railroad Administration will permit SMART to carry passengers. SMART is currently looking at the fall 2016 for start-up passenger service.

SMART is also working with other transit operators such as City Bus in Santa Rosa and shuttles from private employers to coordinate service to the train.

For a future extension, closer to San Francisco, SMART has also been working to extend the line to Larkspur. With the passage and the signing of the 2015 Omnibus Bill, SMART achieved full funding of the Larkspur Extension.

For more information, go to http://main.sonomamarintrain.org or contact SMART Communication Relations Manager, Matt Stevens at 707.794.3330.