Survey: SMART Seeks Marin County Residents' Input On Budget Cuts

MARIN COUNTY, CA — The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District — SMART— has posted a short online survey in the hopes of gathering community input from residents of Marin and Sonoma counties on proposed service reductions. The information garnered through the survey is to be presented to SMART's Board of Directors during a public meeting and used as the board goes through the process of making budget cuts.

Some of the budget reductions the board is considering include: eliminating all weekend service; reducing the level of weekday service; and/or suspending free onboard Wi-Fi service.

According to a news release Monday from SMART, Measure I, the proposed sales-tax revenue extension that was on the March ballot would have enabled SMART to lower its debt interest payments by $12 million annually, allowing SMART to use these funds to maintain current service levels.

Although the majority of voters — 52 percent in Sonoma and 56 percent in Marin — approved Measure I, it did not receive the two-thirds majority needed to pass.

Additionally, because of the economic impact the coronavirus crisis has had, SMART must now take further steps to balance its budget.

Through the survey, which is posted here, SMART says it hopes to receive input from a broad range of transit riders and community members.

The survey opened Monday, May 11 and remains online through Sunday, May 17.

Anyone who has questions about the budget or would like more information about the survey may email info@SonomaMarinTrain.org.