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The
New SMART Commission
The original Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit Commission was formed
in 1998 by a joint powers agreement between the two counties.
Its primary function was to plan and operate a railroad on the
right-of-way that was owned by several railroads, most recently,
Southern Pacific. It consisted of five elected officials from
each county.
The Commission agreed that the initial runs of the train will
be between Cloverdale and San Rafael. It obtained funding for
the planning and initial activities from the Congestion Relief
funds controlled by the California Transportation Commission.
These funds are primarily for planning, purchase of capital equipment
("rolling stock"), track upgrading, and maintenance
of grade crossings.
The Commission has focused on providing passenger services. Estimates
indicate that approximately 5000 passengers
per day could use the system initially. Cost estimates indicate
that approximately $5 million per year will be needed sustain
the operating costs of the railroad. This is
expected to be paid from local funds, such as a sales tax. It
is expected that about 30% of the operating costs will be provided
by the users of the train.
Questions about the Commission or its functions should be directed
to the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (707-565-5373) or
the Marin County CMA (415-499-6570).
SMART Commissioners - 2003
Marin County
- Steve Kinsey
- Marin County Supervisor
- Al Boro
– Mayor of San Rafael
- Peter Breen
– San Anselmo City Council
- Michael
DiGiorgio – Novato City Council
- Annette
Rose – Marin County Supervisor
Sonoma County
- Tim Smith,
Co-Chair – Sonoma Supervisor
- Robert
Jehn – Mayor of Cloverdale
- Mike Kerns
– Sonoma County Supervisor
- Jake Mackenzie
– Rohnert Park City Council
- Mike Martini
– Santa Rosa City Council
Golden Gate
Bridge and Highway Transportation District
- Barbara
Pahre - GGBHTD Board
- Jim Eddie
- GGBHTD Board
Project Director --
Lillian Hames
The basis for the new SMART Commission that took over in 2003
is AB 2224, authored by Assemblyman Joe Nation.
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SMART
Project Chronology
1970's
Public Acquisition
of NWP Begins
Late 1980s
101 Corridor
Study Recommendation
1990
$28 Million
in Rail Bond Funding
1993
Final Acquisition
of Rail Right-of-Way
1993
Formation
of NWPRA
1997
Sonoma Marin
Land Use & Transportation Study
1998
Formation
of the SMART Commission
2000
Commuter Rail
Implementation Plan
2000
$37 Million
Transportation Congestion Relief Program Funds
2001
Full Time
Project Director
2002
AB2224 Signing
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