SF Bay Area Transit Adds Electric Buses, Ridership Climbs
SamTrans adds 12 electric buses, sees 8.5% ridership growth outpacing regional average
SamTrans Adds 12 Electric Buses in 2024
SamTrans added 12 electric buses to its fleet in 2024 while ridership grew 8.5%, transit officials said. The San Mateo County agency invested $15 million in electric vehicles and $3.5 million in accessibility upgrades, according to the year-in-review released October 26. April Chan, General Manager and CEO, said the improvements demonstrate the agency's commitment to sustainable transportation.
Recovery Outpaces Regional Average
The 8.5% ridership increase outpaced the Bay Area's 5.2% regional average, officials said. SamTrans' growth continues recovery from pandemic lows when ridership dropped up to 70%. The electric bus additions align with California's Innovative Clean Transit regulation requiring 100% zero-emission fleets by 2040. SamTrans adopted its Zero Emission Bus Rollout Plan in 2022, making the 2024 additions part of the long-term sustainability strategy.
Route 17 Frequency Doubles
SamTrans doubled frequency on Route 17 during peak hours, cutting wait times from 30 minutes to 15 minutes starting in August. The agency upgraded 45 bus stops with accessibility improvements throughout the year. "SamTrans' focus on service frequency and reliability is paying dividends in ridership recovery," said Michael Anderson, a Bay Area transit analyst. The Route 17 improvements followed a 2023 service analysis identifying the route as a priority.
Federal Grants Fund Improvements
Federal Transit Administration grants covered approximately 60% of electric bus costs, with state and local funding providing the remainder. The $15 million electric bus investment increased the zero-emission fleet from eight to 20 vehicles. Adina Levin, Policy Director at TransForm, said the improvements "represent the kind of forward-thinking transit planning the Bay Area needs." Overall budget figures weren't disclosed in the year-in-review.
Riders See Enhanced Service
The service improvements and new electric buses provide riders with more frequent, reliable transit options across San Mateo County. Officials said the changes make transit more viable for daily commuters while reducing environmental impact. Specific customer satisfaction metrics weren't included in the review. Riders can check real-time schedules and service updates through Moovit for all SamTrans routes.
