SMART Cuts More Trips Amid 90% Drop In Ridership: Coronavirus

SONOMA AND MARIN COUNTIES, CA — Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit is set to implement further service reductions Monday because of a significant decline in ridership amid the coronavirus crisis. All weekend service remains suspended, and beginning Monday until further notice, SMART is to operate 16 train trips daily serving all stations.

Ridership has declined by 90 percent during the COVID-19 public health crisis, according to SMART Spokesperson Julia Gonzalez. With this new round of reductions, SMART has scaled back its weekday service by 50 percent, Gonzalez said.

SMART advises riders to check its online schedule ahead of time, as some train departure times have been changed in order to provide adequate coverage for mid-day travelers. A printable PDF version of the modified schedule is available online.

Riders may also call SMART Customer Service at 415-455-2000 for information about schedules and fares.

"SMART continues to maintain a twice-daily thorough onboard cleaning and sanitation of all trains," Gonzalez said. "Social distancing protocols are posted on all stations and trains."

SMART also continues to monitor ridership and may implement additional service-level changes as needed, Gonzalez said.

Other transit agencies have modified their service schedules, as well; find updates about Bay Area public transit at 511.org.