Traffic & Transit

Service Starts At New Larkspur, Novato SMART Stations: PHOTOS

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit officially opened the Larkspur and downtown Novato train stations over the weekend.

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Passengers take the first SMART train on Saturday from Santa Rosa to Larkspur. (Photo by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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Passengers take the first SMART train on Saturday from Santa Rosa to Larkspur. (Photo by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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Passengers donate toys aboard SMART's Holiday Express Toy Drive Train. (Photo by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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Santa on SMART's Holiday Express Toy Drive Train. (Photo by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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When the first passenger train pulled into the new Novato SMART station on Saturday, the platform was packed with families and onlookers at the dedication ceremony. (Photo by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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Santa, along with Novato Police Chief Matthew McCaffrey​​, climb aboard SMART's Holiday Express Toy Drive Train.​ (Photo by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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Novato Police Chief Matthew McCaffrey and Khris McCaffrey share a ride with Santa on the first SMART train to the new Novato Station. (Photo by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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Chris Denny, Diane Denny, Colson Denny, 7, and Marilyn Denny, 5, aboard the SMART train. (Photo by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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Bren and Scott Hanson of Santa Rosa boarded the first SMART train to Larkspur on Saturday. (Photo by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)
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Rancho Cotate High School's girls varsity and junior varsity soccer teams take the SMART train from Rohnert Park to San Rafael. (Photo by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com)

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit officially opened two new train stations over the weekend in Marin County.

SMART officials, town officials and community members celebrated the opening of the new Larkspur station Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The station is at 600 Larkspur Landing Circle.

On Saturday, SMART held a second ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new downtown Novato station at Grant and Railroad avenues.

Find out what's happening in Novatofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Limited weekend and holiday service kicked off Saturday at both new stations. View the new schedule.

The 45-mile SMART rail line begins north of Santa Rosa near the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport and now ends at the Larkspur Ferry Terminal. The two-mile extension to Larkspur cost $55.4 million.

Find out what's happening in Novatofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"The new Larkspur station will offer a vital connection to the Bay Area for commuters and visitors alike via the Golden Gate Ferry," SMART officials said in a press release.

The photos taken at the new SMART stations were captured courtesy of local photographer Al Francis of Napasonomaphotos.com.

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