MCBC is proud to announce our support for the effort to renew the SMART funding measure. In this, we are joining our partners at the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, as well as US Rep. Jared Huffman, State Senator Mike McGuire, State Assemblymember Damon Connolly, and all five Marin County Supervisors (as well as many city and town councilmembers). This position was considered, and approved unanimously by, the MCBC Board of Directors.
Why a sales tax renewal?
When the quarter-cent sales tax supporting the development of SMART was passed by voters in Marin and Sonoma in 2008, that measure had a 20-year term. This means that the funding measure will expire in the beginning of 2029 unless it is renewed before then.
While it’s a small addition on consumer purchases, this sales tax revenue is critical to SMART. It supports operations (which fares only pay a part of), subsidizes free fares for youth and seniors, pays staff salaries, and acts as matching funding for state and federal grants (where SMART has been very successful recently).
In order to reauthorize the funding measure and keep SMART going, a citizens group has created The SMART Initiative and is circulating petitions to place a 30-extension of the existing tax on the June 2026 primary ballot.
Background on the ballot measures
SMART’s original tax measure was passed in 2008 with substantial support from MCBC, our partners at Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition (SCBC), and other environmental groups, in large part because of the promise to build a multiuse pathway parallel to the rail line, connecting the stations and providing a critical north south route paralleling US-101.
However, when SMART went back to the voters early in 2020, MCBC and SCBC withheld our support for the measure, largely over the sidelining of the promised multiuse path.
However, this time around we are pleased to support the measure. What changed?
New leadership
In 2021, SMART hired General Manager Eddy Cumins, who came with a great reputation from his service with the Utah Transit Authority (MCBC’s Executive Director, Tarrell Kullaway, was invited serve on the hiring panel and he was her first choice). The selection proves to have been an excellent one. Under Mr. Cumins’ stewardship, ridership has grown substantially (nearly double of that before covid, nearly unique among transit agencies nationwide) and a number of critical pathway segments have either opened or are well into development. Additionally, much needed planning staff were hired to develop projects long-asked-for by the bicycle coalitions, such as wayfinding signage and automatic pathway counters (which show a steady growth in pathway use. Staff have been empowered to meet with MCBC on a regular basis and have actively sought feedback on in-development projects.
“SMART has proven they’re serious about building a connected North Bay,” said MCBC Executive Director Tarrell Kullaway. “We asked for accountability, and they delivered. This new leadership is not only building the pathway, but also rebuilding our trust. Now, we have a chance to keep that momentum going.”
Progress on the pathway
The ribbon was cut on the first segment of pathway to open in Marin this past January to great fanfare, connecting McInnis Parkway and Smith Ranch Road in North San Rafael. Another segment between Bel Marin Keys and Vintage Oaks shopping center will start construction in the next year or so. Additionally, SMART has begun design on a segment that entered the pipeline directly because of advocacy from MCBC and our partners at WTB-TAM, one that would close the gap on the hill between Downtown and North San Rafael. And while we have been pleased with the progress in Marin County, the progress in Sonoma County has been even more impressive, with over seven miles of pathway opened this year alone.
More use of the system
September of this year saw an average of 4,700 people use the train every weekday (up 28% from the previous year) and nearly as many people using the pathway, at 4,100 (up nearly 50% from the previous year). As the pathway network grows and train service increases, more and more people are relying on SMART as an integral part of their transportation in and through the North Bay.
What a renewal means
If this initiative gets on the ballot and is passed, no one’s taxes will go up. This is merely an extension of the existing sales tax, which will result in continued SMART service and extension of both the rail and pathway network.
Inversely, if the measure does not pass, then SMART will be forced to wind down as an agency shortly after January 2029. Trains will cease to run, no new pathway segments will open, and maintenance on existing pathway segments will cease. This is a future we do not want to live in.
“We know the North Bay is strongest when we invest in the systems that connect us,” said Kullaway. “SMART listened, adapted, and delivered. Now it’s our turn to show up for SMART.”
What happens now
As mentioned earlier, The SMART Initiative is currently gathering signatures to place the measure on the June 2026 ballot. You may have already seen someone on SMART or at the grocery story asking people to sign the petition. If you are a voter in Marin or Sonoma County, we urge you to sign the petition for The SMART Initiative. This will allow it to go on the ballot in June, which we will cover again in our regular election coverage.
How you can get involved
If you have already signed the petition and want to do more, you can go to The SMART Initiative website and sign up to volunteer, donate, or endorse the measure.