Sonoma County currently has a comprehensive, safe, clean bus system, provided by a variety of entities: Sonoma County Transit, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Healdsburg and Cloverdale. In addition, service to other counties is provided by Golden Gate Transit, Mendocino Transit Authority, Amtrak, Greyhound and other private providers.
In 2020 we envision a system that:
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To make a system truly usable, timetables and schedules must be coordinated. Or, alternative types of transportation must be available - including train service, trolleys or vans. We envision a system where a bus rider can hop on a county bus in Sonoma, take it to Petaluma - and with little waiting time (and the same pass) - catch a commute bus to San Francisco. We also envision a computer system that allows (both from home and at kiosks) people to see in "realtime" the best connections. In order to make bus travel more convenient, trips on existing routes will be more frequent.
As people seek-out affordable housing in the North County or along the Russian River, we must ensure they have a way to get to their jobs. In addition, as more seniors retire in the Sonoma Valley, we must provide them a convenient way to get to Napa and other areas.
We envision a bus system that expands its view of how it gets people places and who it uses to get them there. For example, the seniors who want to go to Santa Rosa during the day may feel more comfortable riding in a van that leaves from a designated pick-up spot twice a day. These types of services could be provided via a non-profit agency, with funds directed from transit services.
