The LWVBA observer reports for the SMART meetings are posted here as they become available. Note that they are posted in reverse chronological order, with the most recent posted at the top.
July 2022
SMART Transit Report
- The Sonoma County Grand Jury submitted their final report to include recommendations on the SMART train entitled, “SMART Decision Making: Citizen Feedback is Critical for Success.” The report focused on the Citizens Advisory Committee.
“The changes this Grand Jury proposes[sic] include a more defined and expanded role for the COC and/or the addition of committees to advise the BOD and make recommendations.”
2021-2022-Grand-Jury-Consolidated-Final-Report.pdf (ca.gov)
- SMART has partnered with other North Bay Transit agencies to coordinate train schedules to create seamless connections services.
- SMART is working with Golden Gate Ferry Agency on coordinated train/ferry connections to Giants games at Oracle Park, after an overwhelming success on the pilot program in June. The coordinated train/ferries service will be on July 17th and 31st. The train arrives at the Larkspur station 45-minutes before the ferry is scheduled to leave for Oracle Park. The Southbound return trip leaves the Larkspur station 30-minutes after the ferry arrives from Oracle Park.
- The SMART train is celebrating its 5-year anniversary on August 17th
March 2022
November 2021
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The November 17th meeting was the last report from the out-going General Manager, Farhad Mansourian. He will remain on staff through December to on-board the new General Manager, Eddie Cummins. Mr. Cummins was the former G.M. from Utah Transit Authority.
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On November 14th SMART held a public meeting with residents in the town and general vicinity of Schellville which is located near Sonoma.
In the SMART Freight Activity Update presentation was a great historical view of the rail system dating back to the 1800’s and the legislation such as SB-1029, SB69.
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Smart outlines the options on how it provides freight services: 1) Operate and maintain with SMART freight staff; 2) Contract out operations and revenue collection. The SMART board voted to keep services in-house to include: labor, track maintenance, materials such as fuel, marketing, freight staff etc. The benefits are SMART directly collects all freight revenues and maintains complete control.
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SMART earns $1.2 million per year on freight hauling. 27% of estimated revenues are from liquid petroleum gas (LPG). LPG has been transported to the Schellville property since 2016. Check slides 22-26.
Pathway Implementation Update
The work continues on the following areas:
Four Funded Segments for Construction:
- San Rafael: McInnis to Smith Ranch (.75mi)
- Petaluma: Lakeville to Payran (.30mi)
- Petaluma/Penngrove: Southpoint to Main (2.9mi)
- Rohnert Park/Santa Rosa: Golf Course to Bellevue (2.8mi)
Next Board Meeting December 1, 2021
photo credit: "Sonoma-Marin rail (#0010)" by DB's travels is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
