San Rafael Transit Center Explained

San Rafael
Style:SMART
Address:3rd Street and Hetherton Street
Coordinates:37.9708°N -122.5225°W
Mapframe:yes
Mapframe-Zoom:14
Borough:San Rafael, California
Elevation:10.2 ft (3.1 m)
Other: Golden Gate Transit
Marin Transit
Sonoma County Airport Express
Sonoma County Transit
Greyhound Lines
Line:SMART Mainline Subdivision
Platforms:2 side platforms
Tracks:2
Bicycle:Yes
Accessible:Yes
Zone:1 (SMART) 4 (GGT)
Opened: (bus service)[1]
(SMART preview)[2]
(SMART service)
Passengers:approx. 4,500 bus boardings daily (2018)[3]
Other Services Header:Former services
Other Services Collapsible:yes

The San Rafael Transportation Center (also called C. Paul Bettini Transportation Center) is an intermodal transportation center located in downtown San Rafael, California. It is a primary transfer point for several local and regional bus operators, and a commuter rail station on the Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) system.

History

The original San Rafael railway depot that served the Northwestern Pacific Railroad was located at what is now a cafe north of the station. As rail use fell into decline, passenger service ended after November 10, 1958.[4]

Buses came to prominence with the expansion of the road and highway system. The current transportation center was constructed around the station building in 1991.

SMART testing began in March 2016.[5] Service began with preview rides on July 8, 2017, and full service commenced on August 25, 2017. The station acted as the southern terminal of the line until December 14, 2019, when the extension to Larkspur station opened. The bus terminal was reconfigured to allow the SMART tracks to pass through.[6]

Marin Airporter service to the San Rafael Transit Center ended on October 6, 2019, due to traffic congestion around the transit center.[7]

Services

San Rafael Transit Center has two side platforms serving the two tracks of the SMART mainline. The bus area, located south of the SMART platforms, has two side platforms and two island platforms.[8]

San Rafael is the primary transfer point for Marin Transit, which operates local service plus two interurban routes. It is also served by several regional and intercity bus operators:[9]

101, 130, 132, 150, 580

38

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Prado. Mark. San Rafael Transit Center to undergo major changes with SMART's arrival. 11 June 2016. Marin Independent Journal. Digital First Media. 11 March 2016.
  2. Web site: SMART Public Preview Rides. SMART. 9 July 2017.
  3. Web site: SAN RAFAEL TRANSPORTATION CENTER: Relocation Analysis, Environmental Clearance, and Preliminary Design . Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District . 2018.
  4. News: Train makes last run . 12 September 2023 . San Francisco Examiner . Newspapers.com . November 11, 1958 . 13.
  5. News: Prado. Mark. Commuter train rolls into San Rafael for the first time in 50 years. 24 April 2016. Marin Independent Journal. 4 March 2016.
  6. News: Prado. Mark. San Rafael wants a delay in SMART trains to Larkspur. 5 February 2017. Marin Independent Journal. 4 February 2017.
  7. AFTER OCT. 6TH, CENTRAL SAN RAFAEL TRANSIT CENTER WILL NO LONGER BE AN AIRPORTER BUS STOP . Marin Airporter.
  8. Web site: Station Map: San Rafael Transit Center . Metropolitan Transportation Commission . October 10, 2019.
  9. Web site: Schedules and Fares: San Rafael Transit Center . Metropolitan Transportation Commission . August 29, 2019.