Route 17, which currently runs from Half Moon Bay to Moss Beach, will be extended north into Montara, and longer service hours will be added to the existing portion of the route. Route 17 will also begin offering additional morning and afternoon buses during the school year.
The extension is part of an effort by SamTrans and several local governmental agencies to provide better access to public transportation in rural areas. Last year, the Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance conducted a ridership survey, in both English and Spanish, which showed demand among rural riders for longer service hours along Highway 1.
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SamTrans received a Lifeline Transportation Planning grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to fund the Route 17 expansion.
The grant was needed to make the expansion financially viable, according to SamTrans spokesman Jonah Weinberg. He explained that expanding rural service in San Mateo County can be a Catch-22 situation. There aren't enough riders to justify expanded service, but it's difficult to attract new riders without offering more frequent service.
"The difficulty is getting people out of their cars," said Weinberg. "You have to get them to try the bus a couple of times first to get them to like it. But they won't try it if we don't offer the hours they need."
Route 17 will offer the extended service until fall of 2009. If ridership has increased during that time, then SamTrans' managers hope to continue the service, perhaps with additional grant money, Weinberg said. Currently Route 17 buses transport more than 100 riders per day on weekdays.
As part of outreach for the expanded service, Coastside residents will receive a mailer including two one-way SamTrans tickets sometime in July.
For SamTrans schedule information, call 800-660-4287 or visit www.samtrans.com r
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