Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) District is a regional transportation agency responsible for the development, implementation, and operation of passenger rail service in Sonoma and Marin counties, California. Established by the California State Legislature in 2002 through the passage of Assembly Bill 2224, the district was created to oversee the restoration of passenger rail service along the historic Northwestern Pacific Railroad corridor. SMART's mission is to provide a safe, reliable, and efficient transportation alternative to the congested Highway 101 corridor, connecting residents to employment centers, educational institutions, and retail hubs throughout the North Bay region.

SMART operates a modern fleet of Nippon Sharyo Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains, which are powered by environmentally friendly Tier 4 clean-diesel engines. These trains are designed to meet strict Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission standards, significantly reducing particulate matter and nitrogen oxides compared to traditional diesel engines. The rail system currently serves a 45-mile corridor with stations located in key cities such as Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Novato, San Rafael, and Larkspur. In addition to passenger rail, the district manages a parallel bicycle and pedestrian pathway, creating a comprehensive multi-modal transportation network that encourages active transportation and reduces reliance on single-occupancy vehicles.

The district is governed by a 12-member Board of Directors composed of elected officials from both Sonoma and Marin counties, ensuring local representation and accountability. SMART continues to expand its service, with future plans to extend the rail line further north to Windsor, Healdsburg, and Cloverdale, ultimately spanning a 70-mile corridor. The agency also focuses on integrating its services with other regional transit providers, such as Golden Gate Ferry and local bus systems, to facilitate seamless travel across the San Francisco Bay Area.