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.
History
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
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
A Marin Transit bus operating on Route 233 at the San Rafael Transit Center.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
These fares do not apply to the Muir Woods Shuttle. See Muir Woods Shuttle fares in the following section.
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
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
Muir Woods Shuttle fares
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
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
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
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]
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.
