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Welcome to
Friends of "SMART"
(Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit)
A citizens' group dedicated to realizing the benefits
of rail service in the North Bay
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The "SMART" train is coming!
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Project Update:
The SMART train project is slated to be running by the end of 2014. In it’s final form, the 70-mile long passenger rail line and parallel bicycle-pedestrian path will run from Cloverdale to Larkspur, with transfer to the Golden Gate Ferry connecting to San Francisco. Additional stops include Healdsburg, Windsor, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Petaluma, Novato and San Rafael. However, the “Great Recession” of the last several years has significantly decreased the funds available to complete the project on the time frame originally established. The SMART Board has recently put forward a plan to build the project in phases. The Board and its supporters, such as “Friends of SMART”, are totally committed to completing the entire rail and pathway as soon as financially feasible.
Everyone would like to see a totally completed project at the outset. However, incredibly difficult financial times require equally difficult decisions on how to best proceed. The SMART train project is determined to not only provide the alternative transportation that 70% of voters approved of in Sonoma and Marin counties, but also provide a multitude of new jobs and provide the foundation for green transportation living in the north bay. It’s time to get rolling with the SMART project!
Measure Q and SMART:
Funding for the project—a 1/4-cent sales tax in Marin & Sonoma counties—was approved by the voters in the November 2008 election. The SMART Board has retained project management specialists to assure that the final engineering process is expeditious and thorough. Negotiations with the North Coast Railroad Authority are under way to revise the operating agreement governing compatibility of freight and passenger services. Final design, selection of railcars, and acquisition of land for the maintenance facility and the stations are the next steps, along with development of seamless train, bus & ferry service. Some actual construction on the line as already begun, will the bulk of construction beginning in 2011.
Featured Article:
Business and Industry view of SMART
Friends of SMART conversation with Cynthia Murray
By Jack Swearengen, Chair and Steve Birdlebough, Outreach Chair
April 29, 2011
I. The business community wants SMART
Ms Murray says that “about ninety-eight percent of the businesses that hold memberships in the North Bay Leadership Council believe that SMART will be an economic boost to the North Bay.” Impaired transportation and mobility, she says, present a very big economic handicap to the region. Sonoma County especially is handicapped in its efforts to attract new companies and talent, and even to retain existing companies and employees. SMART will provide a much-needed boost by offering
1. new jobs
2. a hedge against rising gasoline prices
3. mobility for people and transportation for goods
4. a tool to attract and retain companies and talent
II. SMART will be a success
Now is not the time for despair, or even pessimism. When the construction bids come in, we’ll see where we are—but Cynthia strongly suspects that the bids will bring very positive economic news. She believes that people are critical now because the economy is hurting and they are losing their vision for the future. When the IOC opens they will see that SMART is really happening, and they will become supporters again. Also, getting a good bond rating will help maximize the amount raised through the issuance of bonds.
III. Near-term revenue
With the foregoing points in mind, SMART should be thinking about revenue generators right now, and not wait for the trains to roll. Given that SMART is a public agency, public-private partnerships seem the ideal way to go. The private sector has already shown its willingness with projects and proposals, including
· Farmers Insurance/ Doug Martin
· Santa Rosa station area
· Guerneville station area
· Other plans still in the early stages of discussion
IV. Marketing
SMART needs a good marketing campaign to restore trust with the voters and spread the news about the good things it is doing. The person that SMART hires to replace Chris Coursey should be a communications strategist who will keep SMART in its best light. Measure M in Sonoma County and Measure A in Marin County may go up for an extension in November 2012. It is not too soon begin selling the measures to the voters. The message should focus on these facts:
1. SMART is a good investment
2. SMART will especially benefit seniors
a. properties near transit stations values retain their property values better
b. SMART will provide mobility for those who can’t drive, or don’t want to
V. Friends of SMART can make a difference
Friends of SMART have special opportunities to help, including:
1. outreach to seniors with the message of IV, e.g.
a. retirement communities
b. senior organizations
c. ads in senior magazines
2. establish Friends of SMART subchapters or focus group at each City or station
3. initiate and/or lead transit connectivity plans at each station
For more information call: Friends of SMART at (707) 578-9133
Friends of SMART is working to assist in delivering a superior project by closely following and advising on the fiscal, structural, environmental, property and other issues that underlie the SMART rail and pathway project. Your time, talents, insights, and experience can help SMART succeed!
You are welcome to attend our monthly business meetings. Meetings precede the SMART Board meetings on the third Wednesday of each month.
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Artist's rendering of proposed San Rafael SMART Station
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Click here to view the California Legislative Analyst’s Office report on financing transportation in California.
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Link to the Official SMART web-site: http://www.sonomamarintrain.org/ (You can view a video of railcars similar to those that SMART plans to use from the Hot Link at the bottom-left of the SMART home page.)
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