SMART Train Adds Third Rail Car For Busy Commutes

NORTH BAY, CA – A third rail car has been added to busy morning and afternoon Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit commuter runs, SMART officials said.

The additional car will be on runs heading south from the Sonoma County airport station at 6:19 a.m., 9:49 a.m. and 12:49 p.m. and traveling north from the San Rafael station at 7:59 a.m., 11:29 a.m. and 2:29 p.m.

The change was prompted by demand and feedback from passengers, especially passengers boarding with bicycles, according to SMART officials. Since early November, SMART has operated three-car train service departing southbound from the Sonoma County airport station at 4:19 a.m., 7:19 a.m., 2:19 p.m. and 5:19 p.m.

"As SMART ridership continues to grow, we will always be looking for ways to better serve North Bay residents," SMART General Manager Farhad Mansourian said.

SMART ridership has surpassed 250,000 riders since service began Aug. 25, with nearly 25,000 bicyclists using the service.

Photo by Al Francis/NapaSonomaPhotos.com