Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) is set to surpass its 1-million-passenger mark by the end of the week of Jan. 14. Train riders who are onboard on that special day could be among the 1,500 riders who will receive passes for free train trips, SMART officials said.
“We are fortunate and grateful to have such strong community support,” said Debora Fudge, chairwoman of SMART’s Board of Directors. “With each day that passes, we get closer and closer to reaching the million-rider mark. Our conductors are ready, and on the day we achieve that milestone, they will be handing out cards to passengers for free train trips. This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our riders and it is also a way for them to share their SMART train experience with a friend or family member.”
SMART began operating just over a year ago on August 25, 2017, and is slated to open its Larkspur extension later this year. Work is also underway on two new stations in Larkspur and in downtown Novato. SMART is also working on extending further north to Windsor by the end of 2021.
“This is just the beginning,” said Judy Arnold, vice chairwoman of SMART’s Board of Directors. “This year will be a banner year for SMART, with the opening of the Larkspur extension, two new stations coming online, and the addition of two new 2-car trains that will help us expand our schedule. SMART has had a strong start, and we plan to keep that momentum going until we get to Windsor, Healdsburg and Cloverdale.”
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
