Public Transit

In Sonoma County, public transportation services are operated to provide a viable alternative to the private automobile.

In Sonoma County, public transportation services are operated to provide a viable alternative to the private automobile.

Fixed-route bus service is available in all Sonoma County cities, and there are connections between cities throughout the unincorporated areas. Paratransit services are also provided. This is curb to curb public transportation available to people with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

SCTA facilitates the Transit Paratransit Coordinating Committee (TPCC) and Transit Technical Advisory Committee (T-TAC). The TPCC brings together transit riders and operators to share ideas and information. T-TAC is a forum for the transit operators, including SMART, to discuss issues and coordination.

Transit operators receive funds that are approved by the SCTA through the Coordinated Claim. It includes Transportation Development Act (TDA) funding, which is the largest single source for transit and is generated by a statewide ¼ cent sales tax; State Transit Assistance (STA), a statewide tax on fuel; and Measure M, a ¼ cent countywide sales tax funds.

Coordinated Funding

Transit operators receive funds that are approved by the SCTA through the Coordinated Claim. It includes Transportation Development Act (TDA), which is the largest single source for transit and is generated by a statewide ¼ cent sales tax; State Transit Assistance (STA), a statewide tax on fuel; and Measure M (countywide sales tax) funds. Overall, the adequacy and sustainability of funding for transit operations is an ongoing challenge.

The Coordinated Claim was approved by the SCTA in April 2014. These funds are distributed annually by population and are the primary source of operating revenue for all of Sonoma County’s transit operators. Because the service areas of transit operators in Sonoma County cross jurisdictional boundaries, Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) regulations require that a Coordinated Claim for these funds be prepared and adopted annually by each jurisdiction and SCTA. The amounts shown below may be adjusted to reflect fluctuations in revenue sources.