Golden Gate Transit
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| Golden Gate Transit | |
 |
|
| Locale | San Francisco Bay Area (San Francsco, Marin, Sonoma, and Contra Costa Counties) |
|---|---|
| Transit type | Bus |
| Began operation | 1 January 1972 |
| No. of lines | 52 |
| Daily ridership | 19,763 daily (FY 2007) |
| Operator(s) | Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District Official Website of GGBHTD |
Golden Gate Transit is a public transportation system in the San Francisco Bay Area in California, United States. It mainly serves Marin and Sonoma Counties, and also provides limited service to San Francisco and Contra Costa County.
Contents |
[edit] Description
Golden Gate Transit is one of three transportation systems owned and operated by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District. The other two are the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Ferry, both of which connect San Francisco to Marin County. Funding for cross-bridge services is partially subsidized by bridge tolls, in addition to the traditional federal and state sources. Bus service within Marin County is provided under contract with Marin Transit.
Golden Gate Transit is constituted as a special district under California State Law, as evidenced by Assembly Bill 584, creating the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District (District) (GGBHTD). The District [1] consists of 19 directors from six Northern California counties:
- San Francisco (9 Directors) - one Director appointed by the Mayor, 4 Directors are elected members by the Board of Supervisors, and 4 Directors are non-elected public members appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
- Marin (4 Directors) - two Directors are elected members of the Board of Supervisors, 1 Director is an elected member of the Council of Mayors and Councilmembers and is appointed by the Board of Supervisors, and 1 Director is a non-elected public member appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
- Sonoma (3 Directors) - one Director is an elected member of the Board of Supervisors, 1 Director is an elected member of the Council of Mayors and Councilmembers and is appointed by the Board of Supervisors, and 1 Director is a non-elected public member appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
- Napa, Mendocino, and Del Norte (1 Director each) - the director is a non-elected public member appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
[edit] History
Golden Gate Transit, along with Golden Gate Ferry, has provided answers to the growing congestion problem on the Golden Gate Bridge, serving as the main arterial route for commuters between the North Bay and the rest of the San Francisco Bay Area, connecting Marin, Sonoma, and other Northern California counties with San Francisco.[2]
- 1969 - The California State Legislature authorized GGBHTD to use bridge tolls to develop transit service in the U.S. Highway 101 (US 101) Golden Gate Corridor as a means of managing traffic congestion and avoiding costly highway expansion.
- December 1970 - GGBHTD initiated a shuttle bus service to Sausalito Ferry using five leased Greyhound coaches and four drivers on four bus routes.
- September 1971 - GGBHTD received 20 of 132 newly purchased buses and hired 30 experienced Greyhound drivers.
- December 1971 - Local Marin County bus service was initiated under contract to Marin County Transit District (MCTD)
- January 1972 - GGBHTD established Golden Gate Transit (GGT) Transbay commute service with 152 buses (20 leased) and facilities in Novato and Santa Rosa, and a temporary facility in San Rafael.
- 1974 - Opened bus administration and central maintenance facility in San Rafael.
- 1987 - Transbay commute bus service reduced significantly in response to declining ridership as San Francisco jobs relocate to the suburbs.
- 1990 - Initiated inter-county “commute” service from Sonoma County to Marin County employment centers.
- 1992 - Opened the C. Paul Bettini Transit Center in San Rafael (also called San Rafael Transit Center), GGT’s busiest transit station and transfer point.
- 1993 - GGT, acting on behalf of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), began operation of regional bus service between Marin and Contra Costa counties via the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. Initiated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) intercounty complementary paratransit service through an agreement with Marin County and its paratransit contractor.
- 1996 - Official GGBHTD website went on-line. Bus schedules were added to the website in 2004. GGBHTD installed bicycle racks at more than 40 key bus stops.
- 1999 - Installed bicycle racks on all GGT buses shorter than 45 feet.
- 2003 - Two significant reductions in bus service happened – the first in March, followed by a much more extensive restructuring in November – both aimed at low ridership services in response to fiscal emergency.
- 2004 - GGBHTD signed new 18-month contract with MCTD to provide local bus service in Marin County. This contract exemplified a new stage in local and regional service integration, with MCTD assuming more control over local bus service planning and operation. In 2006, the contract was extended through FY 2011.
- 2006 - Installed bicycle racks on all 45-foot GGT buses. Implemented a new TransLink[3] fare payment system on all bus and ferry services as an initial “pre-launch” test.
- February 2008 - GGT started testing a Zero-Emissions Bus (ZEB), capable on using hydrogen power to run the bus. It is jointly supported by the MTA, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, AC Transit, and the California Department of Energy. (See article here.)
[edit] Cities Served
Golden Gate Transit[4][5] serves cities and communities in four Bay Area counties: San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, and Contra Costa.
| Cities and communities served |
|---|
|
[edit] Types of Bus Service
See here for more information on bus service types.
[edit] Fleet
Golden Gate Transit strives to improve its fleet through its bus replacement program. Under the program, older buses are retired and replaced with new, higher-capacity, "clean air" buses that accommodates persons in wheelchairs (
) and seniors.[6]
As of January 2008, the GGT active bus fleet consists of 195 lift-equipped buses, and all of them also have bike racks that can hold up to 2 bicycles. The fleet consists of the following:
- 24 NovaBus RTS buses (30-footer and 40-footer buses with an additional 20 on a 2-year lease to Valley Metro of Phoenix, Arizona) [7]
- 80 Orion buses (currently the newest in the fleet)[8]
- 27 TMC RTS buses (some on lease to E-Tran of Elk Grove, CA) [9]
- 10 New Flyer articulated (accordion) buses[10]
- 52 MCI 45-footer buses [11]
Like SamTrans and King County Metro of Seattle (and unlike most other transit agencies), the majority of the Golden Gate Transit fleet are coaches suited to commuter routes to San Francisco and fitted with high-back seats, rather than urban buses.
 One of Golden Gate Transit's most recognizable buses, the blue whale painted by George Sumner of Marin County (bus body number 1501), promoting "A Ride for the Environment" with the message To live on the land, we must learn from the sea. |
 An Orion V bus (number 1535) of Golden Gate Transit as Route 29 in Kentfield, CA. |
 An older bus type of Golden Gate Transit, a TMC-RTS bus (number 1251), running as Route 49 to San Rafael. Taken inside the Hamilton Field Airbase in Novato. |
 The Orion V bus (body number 1536) is the newest bus type in the Golden Gate Transit fleet, and it is the workhorse of the GGT. |
 A 45-footer MCI commuter bus of Golden Gate Transit as Route 24 to San Francisco in Kentfield, CA. |
 The Zero-Emissions Bus (ZEB), currently on test-runs, at the San Anselmo Hub. |
 A New Flyer articulated bus, the newest in the fleet, as Route 45 to San Rafael Transit Center at The Mall at Northgate. |
[edit] Fares and Transfer Policies
[edit] Fares
Golden Gate Transit provides different fares, depending on distance (zones) traveled and method of payment.[12]
| Fare Category | Number of Zones Traveled | Cash Fare | Discounted Fare (Discount Travel Book or TransLink) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | Within 1 zone ɫ (San Francisco or within Sonoma County) | US$3.15 | US$2.52 |
| Within 2 zones or East Bay to any point in Marin County or within East Bay | US$3.60 | US$2.88 | |
| Within 3 zones | US$4.35 | US$3.48 | |
| Within 4 zones | US$5.30 | US$4.24 | |
| 5 zones (San Francisco to Petaluma, Rohnert Park, or Cotati) | US$7.60 | US$6.08 | |
| 6 zones (San Francisco to Santa Rosa) | US$8.40 | US$6.72 | |
| From East Bay to San Francisco or Sonoma County | US$6.60 | US$5.28 | |
| Within Marin County | US$2.00 | US$1.80 | |
| Youth (6 to 18), Senior (over 65), Disabled (), or Medicare |
Within 1 zone ɫ (San Francisco or within Sonoma County) | US$1.55 | Not offered |
| Within 2 zones or East Bay to any point in Marin County or within East Bay | US$1.80 | ||
| Within 3 zones | US$2.15 | ||
| Within 4 zones | US$2.65 | ||
| 5 zones (San Francisco to Petaluma, Rohnert Park, or Cotati) | US$3.80 | ||
| 6 zones (San Francisco to Santa Rosa) | US$4.20 | ||
| From East Bay to San Francisco or Sonoma County | US$3.30 | ||
| Within Marin County | US$1.00 | US$1.00♠ | |
| Children under 5 years old (limit 2 per full-fare adult) | All bus routes | Free | Free |
Notes:
- ɫ Travel within San Francisco is between the Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza and the Presidio (Richardson Avenue and Francisco Street)
- ♠ Sold by ticket books of 20 tickets worth $20.00
[edit] Transfers Within the Golden Gate System
Transfers within the Golden Gate System [13] (GGT buses and Golden Gate Ferries) are issued at time of payment, and restrictions apply.
Transferring between GGT Buses. Usually, for intra-county travel, a transfer is valid for 2 hours, while for inter-county travel, 3 hours, and transfers may be used for up to 3 times. Transfers are punched based on fare and ultimate destination and must be in the same direction punched or otherwise indicated.
Transferring from Bus to Ferry. Pay full trasbay (cross bay) ferry fare (see ferry fare table here) in farebox when boarding the bus, and the bus operator will issue a transbay transfer. If paying by Ride Value (Bus) or Frequent Rider (Ferry) tickets, deposit ticket and additional cash amount (if necessary).
With a Ride Value ticket, the following table will apply for adding cash value:
| Ride Value Ticket and Value | Larkspur ($4.45) - Add | Sausalito ($3.80) - Add |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 2 / $2.88 | $1.55 | $0.90 |
| Zone 3 / $3.48 | $0.95 | $0.30 |
| Zone 4 / $4.24 | $0.20 | None |
| Zones 5 and 6 / $4.92-$6.72 | None | |
With a Frequent Rider ticket, the following table will apply for adding cash value:
| Frequent Rider Ticket and Value | Ride Value Ticket | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2 ($2.88) | Zone 3 ($3.48) | Zone 4 ($4.24) | Zone 2 to 6 ($4.92) | Zone 5 ($6.08) | Zone 6 ($6.72) | Transfer to Larkspur Ferry | |
| Larkspur / $4.45 | None | $0.45 | $1.65 | $2.25 | Not applicable | ||
| Sausalito / $3.80 | None | $0.45 | $1.10 | $2.30 | $2.90 | $0.65 | |
Transferring from Ferry to Bus. Ferry customers will receive a transfer punched with the zone to which they paid. Transfer should be shown to bus driver when boarding, and customers may also add the difference in fares when boarding a bus.
[edit] Transferring between Golden Gate Transit and other agencies
Agreements with various transit agencies exist with Golden Gate Transit.
- AC Transit
- From GGT: Accepts Routes 40/42 transfers as full payment of local fare for continuing travel on the first AC Transit bus boarded in the East Bay.
- To GGT: Accepts AC Transit transfers for $1.75 adult fare credit ($0.85 youth/disabled/senior) on Routes 40/42.
- Blue and Gold Fleet (Tiburon Ferry)
- Customers may board Golden Gate Transit commute route 9 for free during the morning and afternoon commute periods by showing their valid Tiburon Ferry commute ticket book to the bus driver.
- Marin Transit Routes 221, 233, and 259 (shuttle service) and Routes 61, 62, and 68 (West Marin Stagecoach)
- From GGT: Accepts GGT transfers for free travel within Marin.
- To GGT: Accepts Marin Transit transfers for a $2.00 adult local fare credit ($1.00 youth/disabled/senior) for continuing travel within Marin County.
Note: Marin Transit transfers are not accepted for travel on GGT outside Marin County.
- Petaluma Transit
- From GGT: Accepts GGT transfers for a full local fare credit.
- To GGT: Accepts Petaluma Transit transfers for a $1.00 fare credit for continuing travel to all points.
- Santa Rosa CityBus
- From GGT: Accepts GGT transfers as local fares ONLY at points where Santa Rosa CityBus and GGT routes intersect (e.g. Santa Rosa Transit Mall).
- To GGT: Accepts Santa Rosa CityBus transfers for a $0.10 fare credit on local travel within Sonoma County.
- Sonoma County Transit
- From GGT: Accepts GGT transfers for a local fare credit or first zone fare.
- To GGT:
- In Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, and Cotati, GGT accepts Sonoma County Transit transfers for a $0.10 fare credit for local travel within Sonoma County.
- In Petaluma, GGT accepts Sonoma County Transit transfers for a $1.00 fare credit for continuing travel to all points.
- Vallejo Transit
- From GGT: Accepts GGT transfers from Routes 40/42 at the El Cerrito del Norte BART Station for a $1.00 adult/youth fare credit ($0.50 disabled/senior) for travel to Solano County.
- To GGT: Accepts Vallejo Transit transfers at the El Cerrito del Norte BART Station for a $1.75 adult fare credit ($0.85 youth/disabled/senior) for travel on Routes 40/42.
- WestCAT
- From GGT: Accepts GGT transfers from Routes 40/42 at the El Cerrito del Norte BART Station for a $0.50 adult/youth fare credit ($0.25 disabled/senior) for travel within western Contra Costa County.
- To GGT: Accepts WestCAT transfers at the El Cerrito del Norte BART Station for a $1.75 adult fare credit ($0.85 youth/disabled/senior) for travel on Routes 40/42.
[edit] Intersystem Pass Programs
Marin Transit Youth Pass ($175 for six months, $325 for one school year) provides unlimited rides on local routes within Marin County only. The pass is not valid on GGT commute or regional basic routes, and these stickers are offered two times per year for a fixed six-month period and are distributed by participating Marin County schools.
SF MUNI Flash Pass Sticker ($40 per month) provides unlimited rides on MUNI during calendar month indicated by affixing the sticker to a GGT Ride Value ticket book cover and "flashing" it at Muni driver.
Sonoma Superpass ($126 per month for adults, $63 per month for youth/senior/disabled) provides the option of unlimited travel on GGT within Sonoma County. Additional Superpasses are available for travel from Sonoma County (on Sonoma County Transit routes 38 and 50 only) to San Francisco or Marin County.
[edit] Funding
Golden Gate Transit is different from other key transit agencies, in that its funding is subsidized by tolls collected at the Golden Gate Bridge.[14] According to the mandate presented by Assembly Bill 584 passed by the California State Legislature on November 10, 1969, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District (District) has no authority to levy taxes, nor it could fund intra-county bus services; only inter-county service could be subsidized by Bridge tolls.
[edit] Fuel Cell Bus Partnerships
Golden Gate Transit, in partnership with AC Transit of the East Bay and other large bus agencies, is trying its best to protect the environment by participating in the California Fuel Cell Program, sponsored by the California Air Resources Board and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE).[15] The partnership will involve a demonstration of three (3) fuel-cell powered buses which will soon reduce dependence of gasoline for fuel, and instead use alternative, renewable resources such as hydrogen and fuel cells to power new urban buses. When GGT receives the new buses, it plans to run them in several key routes around Marin, and in the future, commuter services to San Francisco.[16]
GGT operated a hydrogen fuel cell bus as part of a Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Demonstration Program for Golden Gate Transit routes operated by Marin Transit from February 19, 2008 to March 31, 2008, with 6 local routes participated in the trial service[17] As the ZEB bus was not equipped with a fare box, no fares were collected during the trial period.
[edit] See also
Golden Gate Transit links with the following transit agencies in the Bay Area:
- AC Transit
- BART
- Caltrain
- Marin Transit
- Napa Valley Transit (VINE)
- Petaluma Transit
- San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni)
- Santa Rosa CityBus
- Sonoma County Transit
- Vallejo Transit
- Western Contra Costa Transit (WestCAT)
[edit] External links
- Golden Gate Ferry
- Golden Gate Organization
- Golden Gate Transit
- Marin Transit
- TransLink - The Bay Area's Smart Card
[edit] References
- ^ GGBHTD. "Golden Gate: Board of Directors", Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District, 2007-09-04. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
- ^ GGBHTD. "SRTP-Chapter 1", Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District, 2008-02-12. Retrieved on 2008-02-22.
- ^ Translink. "Translink Home", Translink, 2008-02-21. Retrieved on 2008-02-22.
- ^ GGBHTD. "services", Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District, 2007-09-10. Retrieved on 2007-09-12.
- ^ GGBHTD. "services (Maps of the Golden Gate Transit system)", Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District, 2007-09-10. Retrieved on 2007-12-07.
- ^ Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District. "GGTRide.pdf", Golden Gate Transit, 2008-02-12. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
- ^ Michael Strauch. "Golden Gate Transit RTS Buses @ streetcarmike.com", Streetcarmike.com, 2007-01-16. Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
- ^ Michael Strauch. "Golden Gate Transit Orion Buses @ streetcarmike.com", Streetcarmike.com, 2007-01-16. Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
- ^ Michael Strauch. "Golden Gate Transit RTS Buses @ streetcarmike.com", Streetcarmike.com, 2007-01-16. Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
- ^ Michael Strauch. "Golden Gate Transit New Flyer Buses @ streetcarmike.com", Streetcarmike.com, 2007-01-16. Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
- ^ Michael Strauch. "Golden Gate Transit MCI Buses @ streetcarmike.com", Streetcarmike.com, 2007-01-16. Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
- ^ GGBHTD. "Golden Gate Transit", Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District, 2007-06-15. Retrieved on 2007-09-12.
- ^ GGBHTD. "demo_default_2", Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District, 2007-06-15. Retrieved on 2007-09-12.
- ^ GGBHTD. "Golden Gate Transit: History", Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District, 2007-06-15. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
- ^ National Renewable Energy Laboratory. "fcb_eval_plan1003.pdf", United States Department of Energy, 2003-10-29. Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
- ^ 0058-04 FC QuickFacts.R3
- ^ Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District. "zebdebut", Golden Gate Transit, 2008-02-13. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
