Marin Transit Announces New Routes, Cancellations, Other Changes

Marin Transit has announced the new routes and service changes for local service in Novato, Marinwood and Terra Linda. The changes go into effect on March 11, 2012.

Changes include cancellation of Local Route 52; realignment of Local Routes 49, 51 and Community Shuttle 259; and introduction of a new Community Shuttle Route 257. See below for details.

“These changes align transit service with the needs of riders and allow for increased service frequency and coverage in Northern Marin,” said the press release from Amy Van Doren, Director of Operations, Marin Transit. The changes are designed to support a 15-minute service frequency between Downtown San Rafael, Marin Civic Center and Northgate during weekdays. 

According to Marin County Supervisor Judy Arnold, “This initial phase of service changes will provide improved transit services in Novato that fit the needs of our community. I am thrilled we are able to begin implementing the recommendations from the Novato Transit Needs Assessment.”

Significant changes include the following:

Route 51: Local Novato service coverage will expand south of Ignacio to serve Alameda del Prado and increased frequency to every 30 minutes during peak travel hours. Weekend service will be added to Route 51 to provide new weekend service to areas of San Marin and Ignacio.

Route 49: Within Novato, the route will extend north from its current terminus at Ignacio to serve South Novato Boulevard, Downtown Novato, and San Marin. Route 49 service south of Novato will operate express with limited stops to speed up travel time to the San Rafael Transit Center.

This express service will continue to serve Highway 101 bus pads at Marinwood and Lucas Valley and local stops at Northgate and the Marin Civic Center.

Route 257: An expansion of the serving Marinwood and Terra Linda will occur with the introduction of Route 257 connecting the San Rafael Transit Center, Northgate Mall, Las Gallinas, and Smith Ranch Road. Marin County’s Health and Human Services facility at 120 N. Redwood.  It will bring new shuttle service to Redwood Drive and the Contempo Marin Community previously unserved.

Route 259: Marinwood Route 259 will be realigned to connect to new destinations, including Kaiser Hospital and the San Rafael Transit Center. Service between Marinwood and Northgate along Las Gallinas Road will increase in frequency to every 30 minutes during the weekday.

Current Route 259 service west of Miller Creek Road on Lucas Valley will be discontinued.

To obtain additional information and details on the upcoming service plan, please visit the website at www.marintransit.org call (415) 226-0859 or email avandoren@marintransit.org. You can also request new brochures for Route 257, Route 259 and an area-wide brochure for all local Novato serving routes by calling the number above.