Coastside riders continue flocking to SamTrans Route 17. Ridership has increased almost 23 percent to 8,323 people during January compared to 6,793 for the same month in the previous year.

The increase in ridership on the Coastside route, which travels Highway 1 between Half Moon Bay and Montara, has continued almost every month since SamTrans started offering expanded service in July 2007.

“SamTrans offers Coastside commuters who depend on public transportation an affordable transit option and also offers a greener, sustainable alternative to driving alone,” said Transit District Board Chair Zoe Kersteen-Tucker, who represents the Coastside. “We’re thrilled with the success of Route 17.”

In January, more than 60 percent of riders were youths, another 32 percent were adults and the balance were senior citizens, those with mobility impairments and Medicare cardholders.

The expanded service was made possible through the cooperative efforts of a consortium of Coastside agencies. The Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance and the Coastside Transportation Committee, which includes the City of Half Moon Bay, Cabrillo Union School District, San Mateo County, the City/County Association of Governments and Coastside Hope, worked together to secure grant funding for the service from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

For schedule information and trip planning assistance, call the SamTrans Customer Service Center at 1-800-660-4287 (TTY 650-508-6448)

2/16/2009 - msk
Media Contact: Mary Knuckles, 650-508-6356