Marin Transit is a public bus agency in Marin County, California, in the United States. Originally formed in 1964 as Marin County Transit District (MCTD), Marin Transit was re-branded on July 30, 2007, and now provides a variety of fixed-route and demand-response public transportation services. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 2,814,700, or about 9,000 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024.

Founded1964
Headquarters711 Grand Avenue, Suite 110, San Rafael
LocaleMarin County, California
Service typeBus, demand response, paratransit, school bus
Routes24
HubsSan Rafael Transit Center
StationsMarin City: Donahue & Terners
Novato: Redwood & Grant
San Anselmo: San Anselmo Hub (Center & Sir Francis Drake)
Daily ridership9,000 (weekdays, Q3 2024)[1]
Annual ridership2,814,700 (2023)[2]
OperatorMarin Airporter
Golden Gate Transit
Transdev
Bauer's Intelligent Transportation
Chief executiveNancy E. Whelan
WebsiteMarin Transit

History

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Marin Transit was formed by a vote of the people of Marin County in 1964 and was given the responsibility for providing local transit service within Marin County. It has since played a key role in providing local transit service within the county through various funding sources (Measure A Funds, State Transportation Development Act Funds, fares, property taxes and Federal Section 5311 rural transit funds).[3] For a history of Marin Transit service in relation to Golden Gate Transit, click here.

Fixed-route bus service

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Marin Transit serves all major cities, towns, and communities within Marin County except Muir Beach, Nicasio, and Peacock Gap (East San Rafael). Route information listed below is current as of June 10, 2018.[4][5]

See Golden Gate Transit for information on Regional and Commute bus routes serving Marin County, which have no affiliation with Marin Transit.

Local service

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A Marin Transit bus operating on Route 233 at the San Rafael Transit Center.
Route Direction Terminals Days of Operation Cities, Communities, and Attractions Served Schedule Information
North/East Terminal South/West Terminal
17 North-south San Rafael Transit Center Sausalito Ferry Terminal Daily San Rafael, Larkspur Landing, Larkspur, Corte Madera, Strawberry, Mill Valley, Tam Valley, Marin City, Sausalito Route 17 Schedule
22 San Rafael Transit Center Marin City
(Donahue & Terners)
Daily San Rafael, San Anselmo, Ross, College of Marin, Larkspur, Corte Madera, Strawberry, Marin City Route 22 Schedule
23 East-west San Rafael
(Shoreline Parkway at Target)
Fairfax
(Broadway & Bolinas/Sir Francis Drake & Claus)
Daily Canal, San Rafael, San Anselmo, Fairfax Route 23 Schedule
29 San Rafael Transit Center E. Corte Madera (San Clemente) Weekdays San Rafael, Larkspur Landing, Greenbrae, Kentfield, College of Marin, Marin General Hospital, San Celemente Route 29 Schedule
35 North-south Northgate Shopping Center Canal
(Kerner & Larkspur)
Daily Novato, Ignacio, Northgate, Marin Civic Center, San Rafael, Canal Route 35 Schedule
36 Canal
(Kerner & Larkspur)
Marin City
(Donahue & Terners)
Daily Canal, San Rafael, Larkspur, Corte Madera, Mill Valley, Marin City Route 36 Schedule
49 Novato
(San Marin SMART Station)
San Rafael Transit Center Daily Novato, Ignacio, Hamilton, Terra Linda, Northgate, Marin Civic Center, San Rafael Route 49 Schedule
57 Novato
(San Marin SMART Station)
San Rafael Transit Center Daily Novato, Ignacio, Alameda del Prado, Las Gallinas, San Rafael Route 57 Schedule
Select Weekday and All Weekend Trips: Hamilton Theatre Lot
(Palm Dr and S Palm Dr)
71 Novato
(Redwood & Olive)
Marin City
(Donahue & Terners)
Daily Novato, Ignacio, San Rafael, Larkspur, Corte Madera, Mill Valley, Marin City Route 71 Schedule
219 East-west Tiburon
(Ferry Terminal)
Strawberry
(Reed & Belvedere)
Daily Tiburon, Belvedere, Strawberry Route 219 Schedule
228 San Rafael Transit Center Fairfax Manor
(Sir Francis Drake & Glen)
Daily San Rafael, Larkspur Landing, Greenbrae, Marin General Hospital, Kentfield, Ross, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Manor Route 228 Schedule
233 North-south Santa Venetia
(Vendola & Estancia)
San Rafael Transit Center Daily Santa Venetia, Marin Civic Center, Dominican University, San Rafael Route 233 Schedule
245 Terra Linda
(Smith Ranch & Yosemite)
San Rafael Transit Center Daily Terra Linda, Kaiser Hospital, Northgate, San Rafael Route 245 Schedule

Note: Italicized locations are served on select trips only.

West Marin Stagecoach rural service

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A West Marin Stagecoach bus operating on Route 68 at the San Rafael Transit Center.
Route Direction Terminals Days of Operation Cities, Communities, and Attractions Served Schedule Information
North/East Terminal South/West Terminal
61 East-west Sausalito
(Sausalito Ferry Terminal)
Bolinas
(Wharf & Brighton)
Daily Sausalito, Marin City, Tam Valley, Tamalpais High School, Mount Tamalpais State Park (Bootjack and Pantoll Campgrounds), Stinson Beach, Bolinas Route 61 Schedule
68 San Rafael Transit Center Inverness
(Sir Francis Drake & Inverness)
Daily San Rafael, San Anselmo, Archie Williams High School, Fairfax, Manor, San Geronimo, Forest Knolls, Lagunitas, Samuel P. Taylor State Park, Olema, Point Reyes Station, Inverness Route 68 Schedule

Supplemental service

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Supplemental routes operate on school days only.

Route Direction Schools Served Cities and Communities Served Schedule Information
613 East-west Redwood High School Corte Madera, Paradise Cay Route 613 Schedule
619 Redwood High School Tiburon, Belvedere, Strawberry Route 619 Schedule
625 Archie Williams High School, Lagunitas School San Rafael, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Manor, Woodacre, Lagunitas Route 625 Schedule
654 San Marin High School, Sinaloa Middle School Novato, San Marin Route 654 Schedule

Demand-Response and other services

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In addition to fixed route services, Marin Transit provides intra- and inter-county complimentary ADA paratransit (Marin Access) service.

Marin Access also administers a voucher-based transportation reimbursement program (Marin Transit Catch-a-Ride), a volunteer driver reimbursement program (Marin Transit STAR Program), travel training programs, and a network of countywide mobility shuttles (Marin Access Shuttles).

Marin Access

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Complementary paratransit ( ) service, as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), is operated within Marin County using the Marin Access name.[6] Service is available to eligible passengers by reservation only.

As part of the interagency operations agreement between the Marin County Transit District and the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District, all paratransit for the Golden Gate Transit regional network is also provided by Marin Access.

Catch-a-Ride

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Marin Transit Catch-a-Ride[7] offers eligible riders up to thirty discounted rides per quarter (three month period) using paper or digital vouchers. Eligibility is based on age, Marin Access enrollment, and residency.

Volunteer Driver Program

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The STAR Volunteer Driver Program[8] empowers older adults and people with disabilities to remain independent by providing a mileage reimbursement for their friends, neighbors, and other community members who provide them with rides. This program does not provide a pool of volunteer drivers, but rather allows the rider to find their own trusted driver and provide a mileage reimbursement. A caregiver, friend, or neighbor may be a driver.

Travel Training Program

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Marin Transit offers group and individualized Travel Training Programs[9] to help riders become more informed and independent. Staff will teach program participants about transportation programs and services available through Marin Transit and Marin Access. Individualized, one-on-one trainings aboard fixed route vehicles are also available to help participants learn to ride in a 'real-world' environment with ease.

Mobility Shuttle Program

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The Marin Access Mobility Shuttles[10] provide a curb to curb service within specific service areas. Advance reservations are required and rides can be scheduled up to seven days in advance.

Home to School Student Transportation

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Marin Transit is the only public transit agency in the United States that provides dedicated home to school student transportation operated by yellow school buses, in additional to supplemental service provided by regular fixed route vehicles. Service is provided to the White Hill Middle School and the Hidden Valley Elementary School, both belonging to the Ross Valley School District, and is provided under the oversight of the Ross Valley Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JEPA). The JEPA board, made up of local elected officials, set the pass price, service schedule, and approves the contracted agreement between Marin Transit and the operator of the service.[11]

Muir Woods Shuttle

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Provided through a partnership with the National Park Service, Marin Transit provides staffing, operations support, and contract oversight for a seasonal, recreational shuttle to the Muir Woods National Monument. The shuttle runs weekends between late Spring and the early Fall, and adds additional weekday service in the peak summer period.[12]

Fares

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All Marin Transit fixed-route fares and passes are also valid on Golden Gate Transit bus routes within Marin County.[13] Fares are paid by Clipper card or cash.

 
A Golden Gate Transit local transfer (issued on a Marin Transit route) that allows a 3-hour travel period within Marin County.

Fixed-route fares

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These fares do not apply to the Muir Woods Shuttle. See Muir Woods Shuttle fares in the following section.

Fare category[14] Cash fare Clipper fare 1-day pass 31-day pass
Adult $2.00 $1.80 $5.00 $40.00
Youth (ages 5 through 18) $1.00 $1.00 $2.50 $40.00
Senior (ages 65 and over), Disabled ( ), or Medicare $1.00 $1.00 $2.50 $20.00

Notes:

  • Up to two children ages 4 and under ride free with an adult.
  • College of Marin students ride free with a validated COM card.
  • Transfers are issued free upon payment and are valid for one-way travel on all Marin Transit and Golden Gate Transit routes within Marin County for 3 hours. Clipper automatically calculates transfers.

The school-based Marin Transit Youth Pass[15] is available to students between 5 and 18 years of age through Marin County schools. Passes are available $325.00 for the school year. Passes allow unlimited rides on all Marin Transit fixed routes. However, unlike other Marin Transit fare media, the passes are not valid on any Golden Gate Transit bus routes.

Marin Access fares

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Fares for Marin Access paratransit service are zone based. Services provided within Marin County are charged a flat $4.00 fare. For all service outside of Marin County, fares and zone boundaries are set by Golden Gate Transit.

The fares below are effective as of July 1, 2024.[16]

Zone Zone 1
San Francisco
Zone 2
Sausalito, Marin City, Mill Valley, Tiburon
Zone 3
Corte Madera, Larkspur, San Anselmo, San Rafael
Zone 4
Ignacio, Hamilton, Novato
Zone 5
Petaluma, Cotati, Rohnert Park
Zone 6
Santa Rosa
Zone 7
Richmond, El Cerrito
Zone 1
San Francisco
N/A1 $17.00G $19.50G $29.00G $10.50G
Zone 2
Sausalito, Marin City, Mill Valley, Tiburon
$17.00G $4.00M $19.50G $14.50G
Zone 3
Corte Madera, Larkspur, San Anselmo, San Rafael
Zone 4
Ignacio, Hamilton, Novato
$19.50G $16.00G
Zone 5
Petaluma, Cotati, Rohnert Park
$29.00G $19.50G $16.00G $6.00G $26.50G
Zone 6
Santa Rosa
Zone 7
Richmond, El Cerrito
$10.50G $14.50G $26.50G N/A2

1 - Service provided by SF Paratransit.[17]
2 - Service provided by East Bay Paratransit.[18]
G - Fare set by Golden Gate Transit.
M - Fare set by Marin Transit.

Other Program fares

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Muir Woods Shuttle fares

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Round-trip fares on the Muir Woods Shuttle are $3.50 for adults (ages 16 and over). Passengers 15 and under ride free, limit 2 per fare paying adult. No one-way fares are available. Marin Transit fare media and Clipper cards are not accepted. Fares must be purchased online prior to boarding.[19]

Mobility Shuttle fares

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One way fares are $4.00 for general public and $2.00 for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Clipper cards are not accepted on any demand-response services.[20]

Home to School Transportation fares

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Yellow Bus passes are available to students based on a first come, first served basis. Pass price is approved by the JEPA board before the start of the school year.

Passes are sold for the entire year, per direction. The current pass price is $675. The current reduced-income pass price, subject to verification and approval by the Ross Valley School District, is $75.

Fleet

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As of 2024, Marin Transit owns a fleet of approximately 105 vehicles for fixed route and demand response service. On August 5, 2024, Marin Transit had a full zero-emission fleet replacement plan approved by their Board of Directors.[21]

Fleet numbers Make Model Year Length (feet) Propulsion Quantity Operator
673–689 Ford E350 2019 22 Gasoline 17 Transdev
1501–1504 Gillig BRT 2015 30 Diesel-electric hybrid 4 Marin Airporter
1505–1511 Gillig BRT 2015 40 Diesel-electric hybrid 7 Marin Airporter
1680 ElDorado National AeroTech 240 2016 24 Gasoline 1 Marin Airporter
1701, 1703–1707 Gillig BRT 2017 40 Diesel-electric hybrid 6 Marin Airporter
1708–1710 Gillig BRT 2017 40 Diesel-electric hybrid 3 Golden Gate Transit
1760–1761 ElDorado National XHF 2017 29 Diesel 2 Marin Airporter
1801–1802 BYD K9S 2018 35 Electric 2 Golden Gate Transit
2001–2011 Gillig BRT 2019 40 Diesel-electric hybrid 11 Golden Gate Transit
2030–2033 Ford E350 2020 24 Gasoline 4 Transdev
2034–2044 Ford E350 2020 22 Gasoline 11 Transdev
2080–2088 ElDorado National Aerotech 240 2021 24 Gasoline 9 Marin Airporter
2101–2104 Gillig G28D 2021 40 Battery Electric 4 Marin Airporter
2160–2163 ElDorado National XHF 2021 29 Diesel 4 Marin Airporter
2170–2171 ElDorado National XHF 2021 35 Diesel 2 Marin Airporter
2401–2404 Gillig BRT 2023 35 Diesel-electric hybrid 4 Golden Gate Transit
2405–2407 Gillig BRT 2023 40 Diesel-electric hybrid 3 Golden Gate Transit
2430–2439 Ford Transit Van 350 XL 2023 17 Gasoline 10 Transdev

The specialized vehicles used on the Muir Woods Shuttle and for Home to School Transportation are contractor owned and maintained, and are not reflected in the table above.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Third Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  2. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  3. ^ Marin Transit: About Us
  4. ^ Marin Transit – Maps and Schedules
  5. ^ "Marin Transit Rider's Guide, Summer 2018". Marin Transit. June 10, 2018.
  6. ^ Marin Access
  7. ^ Catch-a-Ride
  8. ^ Volunteer Driver Program
  9. ^ "Travel Training".
  10. ^ "Marin Access Shuttles".
  11. ^ "Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement".
  12. ^ "GoMuirWoods Park Shuttle".
  13. ^ Fares
  14. ^ "Fares". Marin Transit. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  15. ^ "Marin Transit Youth Pass".
  16. ^ "Paratransit Fare Table".
  17. ^ "SFMTA Paratransit".
  18. ^ "East Bay Paratransit".
  19. ^ "Muir Woods Parking and Shuttle Reservations". ACE Parking. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  20. ^ "Marin Access Shuttles".
  21. ^ "Marin County Transit District Board Packet, Aug 2024" (PDF).