Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit

The last passenger rail service along the Northwestern Pacific Railroad south of Willits was discontinued in 1958 as automobile travel along U.S. Route 101 in California increased in popularity.

The SMART District was established by state legislation in 2002.[7] Previously disused station buildings were repaired in anticipation of reestablished rail service in Healdsburg and Windsor, and Cloverdale's depot was constructed in 1998.[8]

Mitigation of environmental impacts was studied and summarized in a report issued in June 2006.[9] The recommended remedies, which were certified without challenge, included silencing of some train horns in quiet zones[10] and replacement of certain wetland ditches.

On October 10, 2013, SMART announced that it had obtained more than 56 acres (0.23 km²) of an area in Novato known as the “Mira Monte Marina.” The purpose of this purchase is to restore the area and preserve tidal wetlands and habitat, which is all a part of SMART's environmental mitigation program. According to SMART General Manager Farhad Mansourian, “This will not only address the 2.2 acres (8,900 m²) of project impacts that were determined through the environmental review process for the next stage of construction, but ensures a local source for potential future mitigation needs for the rail and pathway project.”[11]

The project is funded by federal, state, regional and local allocations including bridge tolls, dedicated sales tax revenues, and fares. The capital cost of track rehabilitation for the full 70-mile line, signals, railcars, etc. was estimated to be about $450 million in 2008 ($612 million adjusted for inflation). By 2019, development of the line from Airport Boulevard in Santa Rosa to the San Rafael Transit Center totaled $448 million and the estimated cost to complete the legislated system had increased to $944 million.[12]

In November 2006, Measure R, a proposal for funding though an increase in sales taxes, received a combined 65.3% "yes" vote in the two-county District, with 70.1% in favor in Sonoma County and 57.5% in favor in Marin County. Because it lacked the 2/3 supermajority needed for passage, that measure failed.[13]

Measure Q, similar to Measure R, was approved on November 4, 2008. It received a combined vote of 69.5% in the two counties (73.5% approval in Sonoma County and 62.6% in Marin County).[14] It provides funding for the project through a quarter-cent sales tax in both counties set to expire in 2029.[12] This funding was initially thought sufficient to bring the line to completion by 2014. However, the economic downturn reduced the tax base,[15] resulting in a plan to build the project in phases. The tax was expected to generate $890 million over its lifetime; the first decade brought in $289 million, well short of estimates.[15]

In March 2020, SMART went back to the voters with Measure I to extend the sales tax, not scheduled to expire until 2029, for an additional thirty years; the measure ultimately failed.[16]

The SMART Board authorized the sale of bonds in late 2011; proceeds were placed into an escrow account until the effort to repeal the sales tax was resolved.[17]

In May 2012, SMART issued nearly $200 million in bonds to fund construction. The bonds will be paid off with the Measure Q quarter-cent sales tax revenue.[18]

In January 2012, SMART completed final negotiations to start rebuilding the 43-mile (69 km) Initial Operating Segment (IOS) between Airport Blvd Santa Rosa and the Civic Center Station in San Rafael at a cost less than originally budgeted.[19] The segment was completed jointly by Stacy & Witbeck and Herzog Contracting Corp.[20] In 2012, SMART announced that it was adding two stations to the Initial Operation Segment: in north Santa Rosa, near Coddingtown, and in Novato at Atherton Avenue.[21]

The Puerto Suello Hill Tunnel in San Rafael was rehabilitated for service[22] and the 111-year old fixed span Haystack Bridge was replaced with a newer movable bascule bridge. Concrete ties were installed along the line to facilitate running up to 80 miles per hour (130 km/h) and several spur lines were removed to adhere to federal safety standards. Businesses may connect a switch and spur to the line by purchasing the equipment for about $300,000.[23]

The first phase of construction does not include the complete parallel pedestrian and bicycle path.[24]

A northbound SMART train crosses the Petaluma River on a drawbridge previously used on the Galveston Causeway in Texas. Note US 101 on the taller bridge in the background.

Scheduled passenger service, already delayed from an originally estimated 2014, had long been expected for late 2016.[25][26][27] This resulted from lack of tax revenues due to the economic downturn, which also led to the project opening in phases.

As late 2016 approached, the agency further delayed opening the IOS between Northern Santa Rosa and Downtown San Rafael until "late spring 2017."[28] A crankshaft failure on a diesel engine used in the near-identical Nippon Sharyo diesel multiple unit trains operating in Toronto necessitated all of SMART's cars to be recalled for crank replacements, according to SMART management.[29] The agency additionally had been experiencing problems with warning systems at some grade crossings, and had not fully completed its approval process with the Federal Railroad Administration.[28] The 2017 California floods caused damage to the Puerto Suello Hill Tunnel, further delaying testing of the line.[30]

Preview service and excursion trips timed with the Marin County Fair began on June 29, 2017, with free fares as far south as Marin Civic Center. Full service commenced on August 25, 2017.[31]

SMART connects with ferries bound for San Francisco at Larkspur Ferry Terminal

South portal of Cal Park Hill Tunnel showing rails and path, November 2018

The cost to San Rafael of the Andersen Drive crossing of the Larkspur to San Rafael segment is significant. The street was extended by San Rafael in the mid-1990s to cross the tracks on a "temporary road". In July 1997, the California Public Utilities Commission informed the city that by the time SMART planned to operate on the section, the city had to build and pay for restoring the crossing. The estimated cost for that was $6 million in 2012.[32]

In 2010, the agency received a federal earmark of $2.5 million for technical, environmental and engineering design on the segment. Later in 2010, the revamped California Park Tunnel — 30 feet (9.1 m) wide, 25 feet (7.6 m) tall, and 1,100 feet (340 m) long — was opened to pedestrian traffic. The revamping was done at a cost of $28 million, paid equally by Marin County and SMART. The tunnel is used both for the rail right of way between Larkspur and San Rafael and by bicycles and pedestrians.[33]

In May 2013, the SMART board approved a resolution designating the San Rafael to Larkspur link as its "preferred alternative". The agency submitted a letter to the Federal Transit Administration, and on September 24, 2013, SMART was accepted into its "Small Starts" program.[33] The FY2016 Federal Budget included the funds to construct the Larkspur Extension under the Small Starts Program.[34] Construction contracts were awarded to a joint venture of Stacy and Witbeck and Herzog Contracting Corporation at a cost of $36.3 million,[35] and work commenced by late 2017 with an expected opening of late 2019.[36] In April 2018, SMART was awarded a $22.5 million federal grant for the extension.[37] Final costs for the extension are estimated to total $55.4 million.[38] Train control and crossing system testing along the extension began in August 2019[39] and was completed by the end of October, whereupon driver training began.[40] Revenue service commenced on December 14, 2019.[41]

Construction of the Novato Downtown station began significantly after work began on the initial operating segment. It was partially constructed by the system's opening, but the station opened with the Larkspur extension.

Service was cancelled on October 28[42] and 29,[43] 2019 due to preemptive power shutoffs affecting crossings throughout the system. Partial service as far north as Downtown Santa Rosa was established on October 30, and the following day full service was restored with free rides offered through November 6 to give transportation options to those affected by the Kincade Fire.[44] According to Farhad Mansourian, the service disruptions had not impacted testing of the Larkspur extension and Downtown Novato station.[40]

Service gaps existed during the weekends of November 2019 between Petaluma to Novato–Hamilton as testing for the Downtown Novato station commenced. A bus bridge was provided from both stations with a transfer at San Marin.[45]

SMART initiated a schedule with 8 weekday round trips and no weekend service amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[46][47] The agency planned to only resume 13 round trips on weekdays in an effort to lower costs with reduced ridership and an uncertain tax base.[16][47] In May 2021, service increased to 13 weekday round trips and 6 Saturday round trips. In September 2021, after receiving $3.2 million in federal stimulus funds, SMART indicated it would restore pre-pandemic schedules in 2022.[48]

In May 2020, the agency acquired control of freight operations along the line from the Northwestern Pacific Railroad. The $4 million purchase of rolling stock, track rights, and other properties was funded by the state.[49] The agency took ownership of freight operations and 21 miles (34 km) of trackage north of Healdsburg in July 2021.[50] Sunday service resumed on May 1, 2022.[51]

By 2018, the three-mile (4.8 km) extension was expected to cost $55 million: $20 million from Road Repair and Accountability Act funds, $30 million in Regional Measure 3 funds, and a $5 million federal grant.[52] By November 2019, the cost estimate had increased to $65 million with construction starting in 2020.[38]

The route north of Santa Rosa to Cloverdale was intended to open with the initial segment, but lack of funding delayed this segment. By May 2019, the estimated cost to complete the system to Cloverdale and Healdsburg was $364 million.[53] A letter to the city of Healdsburg in 2020 estimated the cost of reconstructing the Russian River bridge, building a new station, and rehabilitating the line at $32 million.[54] The 2018 California State Rail Plan based its projections on service to Cloverdale station by 2027.[55]

Work on the extension to Windsor, funded by a bridge toll, was temporarily suspended in 2021.[56] The lawsuit was dismissed in January 2023, freeing up $40 million for SMART, and the agency received a $34 million state grant in February.[57] At that time, SMART intended to wait until June 2023 to determine whether it would have sufficient funding to combine a further extension to Healdsburg with the completion of the Windsor extension. If the full $113 million in additional grants is received, Windsor service would begin in 2025 or 2026, and Healdsburg service by 2027.[58] On July 5, 2023, a grant was awarded by the California Transportation Commission, funded by the Road Repair and Accountability Act also known as SB1. This grant awards SMART $30 million to fund extensions to Windsor and Healdsburg.[59]

Several services have been envisioned to expand the system. Additional infill stations serving Santa Rosa[60] or Fulton[61] may be added in the future.

Novato–Suisun
In Planning
to Larkspur Landing Novato–Hamilton to Cloverdale Black Point (option) Marin County Sonoma County Black Point Bridge over the Petaluma River Highway 121/37 Schellville Sonoma County Napa County Brazos Bridge over the Napa River American Canyon Napa County Solano County Cordelia (option) to San Jose Suisun–Fairfield to Auburn

In 2019, SMART released a study on the possibility of extending service along SMART (formerly NWP) owned and operated freight tracks between Ignacio and Schellville (near Sonoma), into Napa or Solano counties. Funding for the study was provided by the state in response to chronic flooding along the State Route 37 corridor. Not being member counties of the Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit District, a new funding mechanism would have to be established before service commenced.[53] This line would allow the train to connect with the passenger ferry in Vallejo or the Amtrak station in Suisun City.[62] As of 2018, planners expect this rail link to be reactivated for service after 2040,[63] and the 2019 study expected construction time between four and six years. Estimated at $1 billion, work on this link would not begin until after the initial 70-mile system was operational.[53]

Also proposed is extending SMART north beyond Cloverdale to Ukiah[63] or the planned NWP terminus in Willits, where it would connect with the California Western Railroad and its tourist services.[64] A proposal to expand service to the East Bay over a rebuilt Richmond–San Rafael Bridge was named a Finalist in the Transformative Projects Process of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's Plan Bay Area 2050.[65]

Freight traffic near Petaluma in 2011 (prior to signal upgrades)

The SMART District provides passenger service on the historic Northwestern Pacific right-of-way, which roughly parallels US Highway 101[66] and is owned by the SMART District from Healdsburg to Larkspur. There are 24 bridges in the segment from San Rafael to Santa Rosa,[67] as well as 63 at grade crossings (with the possibility of adding more).[68] A positive train control system, as mandated by the FRA for passenger services with grade crossings, was implemented for the length of the service corridor for customer and pedestrian safety.[69]

The Northwestern Pacific Railroad corridor is also used by North Coast Railroad Authority (NCRA) freight services.[70] Freight operator NWP Co began to serve businesses along the SMART right-of-way between Lombard (at the Napa River) and Windsor in 2011.[71] SMART absorbed the NWP operations in 2020.

In December 2014, rains washed away some of the train track beds near Petaluma at Ely Road. A photo of the spot in December showed the tracks hidden beneath feet of water. A spokesperson for SMART said that "Trains are not running yet, so this is something we will pay attention to."[72] In 2021, the agency was awarded a grant to help fund improvements in freight infrastructure, including new sidings and repairing the bridge over the Petaluma River.[73]

SMART acquired 88 miles of right-of-way from NCRA in March 2021, with operating rights transferred on July 26, 2021. NWP continued operating freight service under contract.[74]

The station at Sonoma County Airport

Many of the station platforms are located near historic depots in city centers. However, SMART does not directly use these,[75] and all stops use newly constructed 48-inch (120 cm) high-floor platforms to allow level boarding onto and off of the train and provide accessibility.[76] Stations typically include a small shelter with a peaked roof and a bench for seating; they also feature light poles, signs, and garbage cans.[77]

Original plans called for ten stations in the initial operating segment (IOS) with five more in a second phase. A further station was added in Novato's downtown district late in construction of the IOS,[78] and did not open with the system's inauguration.

Nippon Sharyo DMU 102 in SMART livery parked in Fulton

Interior view

The SMART fleet consists of nine two-car Nippon Sharyo DMU trainsets. Each DMU car is powered by a Cummins QSK19-R diesel engine. The vehicles, designed specifically for SMART and another transit service, the Union Pearson Express in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, are slope-nosed and self-propelled by diesel engines that meet stringent "Tier 4" EPA requirements.[25] For regular service, SMART runs DMUs in pairs or triplicate.[79] Trains may be as long as station platforms provided there are cabs facing the outer ends.[80] Each two-car train has room for over 300 passengers.[81]

The diesel multiple unit trainsets were ordered from Sumitomo Corporation of America / Nippon Sharyo at a cost of $46.7 million, or $6.67 million for each two car set. They were delivered to Rochelle, Illinois, for assembling, and then sent to the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado, for testing. Under the contract, additional railcars may be ordered at a cost of $2.9 million per individual car.[82] The first trainset arrived in Cotati, California, on April 7, 2015.[83] The original order was for fourteen cars in seven two car trainsets, but on July 30, 2015, the state of California announced an $11 million grant to SMART to finance the purchase of three additional cars to be added to the fleet, allowing for three trainsets to be run with three cars, with an increase in capacity of 130 passengers over a two car trainset.[84][85] In April 2016, SMART's general manager negotiated with CalSTA and Nippon Sharyo to adjust the order so SMART will receive two more full trainsets in place of the extra cars, bringing their fleet size to the required nine trainsets needed for service to Cloverdale. They will be painted in a McGlashan green livery.

A July 2016 fire aboard one of Toronto's Nippon Sharyo units revealed a design flaw in the engine's crankshaft that would result in premature wear; SMART decided to delay operations until the engines could be serviced to correct the problem.[29] All trains were refurbished at SMART's rail center by April 2017.[86]

Four additional cars, numbered 115 through 118, were delivered to SMART in 2018. The four cars were damaged during shipping in a freight collision while en route to SMART. The agency did not accept the cars as delivered, and Nippon Sharyo dispatched a team to California to assess the damage and plan for repairs.[87]

In the original sales tax expenditure plan, $90 million was allocated for a bike/pedestrian path along the line for recreation and to enhance connections between stations and the developing network of bicycle-pedestrian pathways.[88] As a result of the Great Recession of 2008, SMART changed its plans for the construction of the bicycle-pedestrian pathway as well as the rail project. Current SMART pathway construction focuses on bridging gaps between existing bicycle-pedestrian pathways, providing access to stations and serving potential high-use areas.[89] A number of segments are being constructed in partnership with local jurisdictions.[90] For example, SMART has obtained a grant for pathway construction in Rohnert Park and is seeking grants to fund additional segments. As of February 2019, 16.2 miles (26.1 km) was completed with the majority of funding coming from local jurisdictions.[91]

The system operates with fare zones and a proof-of-payment system with the San Francisco Bay-area Clipper card serving as a payment method. Tickets may also be purchased using the SMART eTickets mobile app. There are five zones in the initial opening segment which will expand to seven when service to Cloverdale is established.[94] Zone ticketing requires little infrastructure at the stations but can be expensive for passengers making a short trip that crosses a zone boundary.

Fares start at $1.50 for a ride within one zone, with an additional $1.50 added for entering each new zone. Once a daily fare of $15 is reached (the maximum round-trip fare), no additional fares will be assessed for further travel that day. Transfers from Santa Rosa CityBus, Sonoma County Transit, Petaluma Transit, and Golden Gate Transit will receive a $1.50 reduction in fare per transfer ($0.75 for discounted tickets).[95] A specialty Discount Clipper card or the SMART phone app, can be used for discounted fares of up to 50% for children, senior citizens, low income, and persons with disabilities. The Discounted fare is $0.75 plus $0.75 per zone[95] A monthly pass is also sold for $135 ($67.50 for eligible riders) which grants the bearer 31 days of unlimited travel from the date of first use.[95] A Special Weekender Pass is offered on Saturdays for $10 ($5 for eligible riders) that offers unlimited rides for the day. Parking is $2 daily or $20 for a monthly pass at stations, with no overnight parking.[96]

SMART train service was free of charge during the preview service period and the opening day of full service. After opening day, SMART fares were half price through Labor Day, September 4, 2017. Regular fares were charged beginning on September 5.[97] The October 2017 Northern California wildfires and 2019 California wildfires prompted the agency to provide free limited service for evacuees.

Excursion trains may be run for special events, such as the Marin County Fair.[98]

Until 2017, the Sonoma Raceway operated a race-day excursion service that used right-of-way owned by SMART, though not on the mainline tracks and using Amtrak equipment. A minimal platform had been constructed nearby.[99]

Ridership in the second quarter of 2018 was 177,800, for a weekly average of 13,700.[100] The highest single day ridership occurred on Saturday, August 18, 2018 when 4,735 trips were counted during a weekend of free rides.[101]