This piece spotlights Marin County voter engagement around Measure B, which would renew a 1/4-cent sales tax that funds the SMART commuter train. Through Kay Hartman’s perspective in Santa Rosa, we get a glimpse of what continuing SMART might mean for folks from Windsor’s wine country down to Larkspur’s waterfront.
It’s not just about the train itself—there are connections to ferries and scenic rides that weave through the region’s north-south corridors.
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Why Measure B matters to Marin commuters
Marin County is famous for its redwoods, coastline, and, let’s be honest, some pretty gnarly traffic. The SMART train gives people a predictable, low-stress way to get to work, school, or just escape for the weekend.
If Measure B passes, it keeps funding in place for a service that lots of Marin and Sonoma residents count on to move between Santa Rosa, Windsor, San Rafael, and points north and south.
Santa Rosa’s Kay Hartman: A lifelong SMART rider
“SMART is a well-established community asset,” says Hartman, who’s watched the line grow since its early days. Her family started riding SMART in 2019, and now three generations hop on for weekend adventures or weekday commutes.
She says the service is comfortable, relaxing, and just right for exploring the towns between Windsor and Larkspur. Hartman also talks about how SMART connects to the San Francisco ferry system, making for a pretty seamless Bay Area transit experience.
For families in Santa Rosa and Windsor, the train has become a scenic, low-stress option that saves wear-and-tear on U.S. 101. Plus, you get to soak in the scenery of Marin’s towns and coastal counties along the way.
SMART’s reach across Marin: Windsor to Larkspur and beyond
Supporters of Measure B say that keeping SMART funded means keeping a practical transit choice for all kinds of riders. Whether you’re in the vineyards of Healdsburg, the green hills near Sebastopol, or the bayside towns of San Rafael and Larkspur, the train gives commuters, students, and seniors another way to get around besides battling 101 traffic.
It’s not just for weekend sightseeing. For folks in Marin City, Sausalito, and Mill Valley, the train is a real alternative to parking headaches and long drives into the city.
Hartman’s family isn’t alone—SMART has become a lifeline for a lot of people. It ties together communities like Santa Rosa, Windsor, Roseland, San Rafael, and Corte Madera, making the North Bay feel a bit more connected.
Accessibility and independence for seniors and riders with disabilities
Hartman points out something important: SMART gives seniors and people with disabilities a shot at independent travel. For older adults in places like Marin City or Novato, being able to ride the train to appointments, events, or family visits can be a game-changer.
One of her family members who doesn’t drive anymore relies on SMART several times a week, walking or biking to the station and skipping car trips across the county.
- Independent mobility for seniors and disabled riders
- Reduced traffic on the 101 corridor by shifting trips to rail
- Ferry connections that link Marin to San Francisco employment and services
- Family-friendly, multi-generational use across Santa Rosa, Windsor, San Rafael and Larkspur
Marin’s transportation network: where SMART fits
In towns like San Anselmo, Fairfax, and Tiburon, folks are hungry for reliable transit options. If Measure B is renewed, SMART keeps rolling—and that means continuity for a service people have come to count on.
The line helps daily commuters, but also brings tourists and locals out to downtowns, waterfronts, farmers markets, and cultural spots all over the North Bay.
A call to support a regional lifeline
Hartman invites readers to join her in voting yes for Measure B. She highlights SMART’s role as a well-established community benefit that stretches across Santa Rosa, Windsor, Larkspur, and the broader Marin and Sonoma counties.
By preserving this funding, voters help keep a resilient, scenic, and multimodal transportation option alive. It cuts traffic, gives seniors more independence, and keeps Marin’s cities connected—honestly, it just fits the region’s whole vibe and quality of life.
Here is the source article for this story: Your Letters, April 29
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