I don't use SMART to commute so this review is based solely on me and my wife taking the train from the northern most station and connecting to the larkspur ferry and ending up in SF for a weekend getaway. Have done this once before and the only thing I can say is that we should be doing it more often. $12 for a one way trip on SMART and Ferry boat. Can't beat the price can't beat the views. This weekends trip was made even better by the great conversation we had with one of their conductors, Todd. We were fortunate to have him on Saturday going down to SF and on the train Sunday coming back to Santa Rosa. If you haven't taken advantage of this combo fair I highly recommend it. read more

First time riding and wasn't sure where the bikes go. When asking for clarification, the person didn't speak English clearly and when we ask for clarity he was extremely rude. Not sure I would use this Smart train again. What a waste of tax dollars and can't believe I voted for bad treatment!! read more

It's often delayed. When it works, it's a good service. The staff are really nice. It just isn't that reliable

The train leaves before the scheduled times. Today I went at 6:10 pm to catch the 6:12 north on a weekday and it never showed and had already passed. Then I returned at 6:35 for the 6:44 pm and it arrived and was leaving north by 6:40. Why do you post a time and then leave 4 minutes early?? If people are using this train to commute you must learn to wait until your posted times if you are ahead of schedule. Very unprofessional read more

CHOO-CHOO, it's about time! We've been waiting for this day to come. Preview rides on the first day brought out crowds from all over. It only ran from Marin Civic Center to Rohnert Park and back, just in time for the Marin County Fair. One of the passengers I was chatting with mentioned how many of his friends have moved from Marin to Sonoma County, and they're older now in their 80's, and how wonderful it is to have a train. Many don't drive anymore, and they sure miss Marin. It's ADA-friendly with a nice size gender neutral restroom to fit a wheelchair. The staff on-duty were super nice and helpful, answering all our questions. Apparently, they've been anxiously waiting for this day to come as well. The snack station isn't in full operation yet, be patient my friends. Another passenger also mentioned it was the first day, give it about 100 days and see how friendly they are. Well, my son and I both give it 5-stars, as the train rides smoothly, and everything on board the train is accommodating and efficient. It's quite nice for a commuter train! I'm ecstatic to know hubby can ride the train to work from Marin to Petaluma and vice versa. Moreover, I can hop on this lovely train to visit him at work without driving and sitting in traffic hell for hours after work going Northbound - phew! read more

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special welcome back fares till Aug 31, 2022 special weekend - ALL day passes https://www.sonomamarintrain.org/fares Additionally, SMART now offers a Weekend Day Pass to our Saturday travelers - a fantastic deal for families with children or grandparents. The Weekend Day Pass is $10.00 for adults & 5.00 for seniors, youth, passengers with disabilities, and low-income passengers. The Weekend Day Pass offers unlimited rides for the entire day. This promotional pass will be available on the SMART e-Tickets app beginning Saturday, June 5, 2021. SMART also offers a discounted 31-day pass providing unlimited rides for $135 for adults and $67.50 for youth, seniors, and passengers with disabilities. The 31-day pass is not available on SMART's eTicket app. read more

Finally got to take my first ride on the train. I was amazed at the views and areas that I've never seen before. I have lived in Petaluma for most of my life and was blown away at the beauty of ride. I do work for SMART and even as an employee had not had the opportunity to ride until the preview rides began. I am looking forward to taking the train to dinner. Either north or south - depending on my mood. I could go to Railroad Square, Downtown San Rafael, or Novato. And I can even enjoy a glass of wine or a beer during the ride. I am excited for all the adventures of riding the train will provide. read more

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I am so grateful to SMART, Golden Gate Ferry and SF Muni. This string of public transportation agencies help me reach my San Francisco doctor appointments each week. I would not survive that drive once a week squeezing my way through the Navoto Narrows, that never ending construction project. The SMART trains are clean, comfortable and could use more cars many trips barely accommodate riders. Great staff and I am thankful that every effort is made to keep on schedule. Let's keep marching into the 21st century building more public transportation and stop paving over good farmland. Next: East/West corridor! read more

Going from San Francisco to Larkspur with Bus connection simply does not work. There is not a single sign and no one knows anything about the connection including the SMARY "ambassador". The SMART train is a good concept and will work well to SF when the Larkspur extension is completed. For now the bus is a better option read more

Great train! Worth Every Penny! Took the train to San Rafael to have lunch with friends on a Sunday recently. Unlike driving, it was totally painless! The cars are clean and nice, acceptable food and coffee onboard. All Quite comfy. The trains are all running pretty much near full, much to the Chagrin of the naysayers. The train is a great success! read more

We got to ride in the Smart Train and met the most awesome train engineers, twin sisters Amanda and Ashley. They were so friendly, very knowledgeable and of course safe! Amanda operated the train southbound & Ashley northbound. How cool to be working with your twin sister driving a train? We were lucky enough to ride in their train in both directions. They even offered us bottled water because they saw us running for the train before it left. Of course they waited. Thank you so much Ashley and Amanda, you made our ride an awesome experience! read more

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit SMART - Amanda and Ashley, twin sisters are the train engineers! The best! - Public Transportation Near Me - San Rafael, California

Smart train .. what a ... social concept.. especially for Marin County residents Besides relaxing Marin/Sonoma country views .really brings people together .. Is also the most convenient, no stress way to commute. Friendly conductors make a difference as well. Conductor Scott M. goes far beyond his duty.. to make people smile. Bravo !.We need more dedicated people like him ..he makes the ride a pleasure ride not a destination one. read more

Oh my goodness simply the best. I cannot get enough of this train. Bye bye SJSU, hello Sonoma State. It's about darn time I can meet clients at Sonoma State University with help from this train. It's fast comfortable and rapid. Usually commuting would tire me out but this train changes every thing. I base my business in the Peninsula but work a primary job in San Francisco. This is perfect because I can take the ferry and taxi before going on to the train. This is the only commuter train where you can pick up a snack while commuting. The concession dude was real nice and he greeted mw with a smile. Day and night the least I can do is relax while I gawk out the window. The train is still young but in the future it will be the best commute in the Bay Area. read more

The train itself is nice and the bar is even better, but the cost is crazy, and the schedule is the worst! Why is there a train that doesn't run for about two hours during the week, and on the weekend it barely runs. What's the point of it? I've only been able to ride it every once in a blue moon to Santa Rosa and that's only if I plan my day around it, which is dumb. This won't be helpful until it runs every half hour both ways. If not this train is useful to housewives and retirees with nothing but time on their hands. read more

Lol I love taking a train to a ferry boat to get into the city, like it's the 1800's. And I can tell everyone in downtown san Rafael really loves having the train come thru and relieve traffic congestion by causing more congestion in the most congested and backed up area of the county, as they wait six minutes for this modern marvel to whiz by. Thanks SMART. As a marin resident I'm honored to have paid the lion's share in taxes to fund this project that is mostly used by Sonoma residents; though, not to suggest that many people use it at all. As they don't. If only the Bay Area already had an efficient rail system that runs underground and actually goes into the city, and other useful areas, that we could've been a part of. C'est la vie. read more

First time taking the train today. So far the stations are nice and clean and so were the trains. My only complaint is the constant ringing of the bell. I feel really bad for all the homes we pass ringing that bell nonstop. read more

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit SMART - Public Transportation Near Me - San Rafael, California

One more reason why people drive instead of taking public transit. Nice train, way too expensive and not worth it if you're trying to get to San Francisco. Golden Gate Transit is still the best. read more

This review is specifically about the all night testing. The horns are much louder and drawn out compared to normal train horns. This activity is going on all night long as then test the track from San Rafael to The ferry. All night long on a Saturday night, and still happening as I write this at 7:30 AM. Any company that has no regard for the people who reside in the neighborhood should not be allowed to operate in the neighborhood. I don't think that Smart has the best interest of the community in mind. read more

Decided to check out the SMART train Saturday 9-18, and go for a ride from Novato Hamilton to Santa Rosa DT, have some lunch, and come home. The stations are all fresh and clean, for now. There were several families and a lot of confusion on how to buy a ticket. Luckily we had Clipper cards. Two of us, round trip was $30. Doesn't quite make it the economical choice. Scenic? I see several people say it is scenic. I saw piles of tires, trash, trailer parks, backyards with all sort of junk and rubbish. Back sides of Box Stores and industrial companies with piles of industrial waste. On board, loud people on cell phones, train agents cutting up, dogs, kids running, bikes poking you in the legs. The trains on weekends are limited, so when we were ready to return, the train wasn't, so we waited and hour for our return. Not so SMART to me. read more

It was our first smart train ride and what a delight to have J Rocca as our conductor? He was friendly, informative and fun!

Thanks for causing 30-minute traffic and dangerous conditions on Airport Blvd. Business alike are very upset about how little is done about public safety and respecting surrounding business on Airport Blvd. read more

I had a great opinion and respect for SMART, until I was so rudely treated by one of their employees Martha Mintun. Martha was so unreasonable and hostile. She was hostile towards me and my partner for no reason. She has a really nervous laugh, and a high strung demeanor that really was off putting. Martha was accusing us of calling her a lier when we questioned her about SMARTS service. She approached me very close to my face and accused me of calling her a lier over and over again, even as i backed away from her. I recorded the entire incident and I will reach out to smart train so they can understand how unstable of an employee they have on their hands. Over all, I am avoiding smart train because of the bizarre behavior displayed by Martha. I cant believe SMART would hire someone like this. It's a real shame. read more

On Labor Day weekend we decided to go to Petaluma for Lunch at The Flowering Teahouse, in North Petaluma. We caught the train at the Civic Center station at which point it was standing room only. When we arrived at the Hamilton stop only a few patrons we able to get on and many were denied access. I really like the train but maybe the administrators in charge should be looking at 3 car trains so the first attempt at riding the new system doesn't become a downer for the would be rider and their family. According to news reports, the train has exceeded expectations on ridership especially on the weekends, so why not go with 3 car trains. Another thing, there needs to be a bit of educating of the riders as to where the bicycle are to be stored. On our way back from lunch, it was a mess trying to de train with bicycles tangled up in the walkways and not hanging in their proper spots. Other than that once I got to sit down it was a very pleasant experience. Thank You! Scot Patterson read more

A couple of suggestions: - more ticket machines at each station (took forever to get ours because there was a line and three of us in our party) - these machines should be able to issue more than one ticket at a time - add more cars because the existing cars already have standing people and the train just started running last week Overall, the experience was nice. The train runs smoothly and the staff is really lovely. Just need to iron out some of the wrinkles. read more

Bathroom does not work '- spend an extra 10 dollars for a plunger next time. Qlso very hot and lack of air flow

Waste of tax money, schedule on weekend is pointless .. price per trip not worth the fare save more if you cummute any other way

If we could render a zero score - we would. A group of us waited for the "Smart" train this past Saturday afternoon (4:55pm) for about an hour. No Train!!! And, no signage or service number of any kind available at the station or anywhere else (no customer service on weekends). So - no train and no information about what happened to the scheduled service. In addition - there was no information about what to do about the Clipper Cards we all used. In the end, we all piled onto a bus to return us to the vicinity of our cars at various stations (this was supposed to be our return trip). This is an amateurish operation! NOT RECOMMENDED until signage is in place and more attention is paid to quality. read more

Umm why does this get good reviews. Sure the train is nice. Schedule is not useful for commuting from San Rafael northbound at all. $5.50 from San Rafael to Novato is a rip-off as well read more

Gordon was very helpful and I write this review in hope of the company SMART train will give him a raise. My grandma and brother and sister and father were new to SMART and put our clipper cards on to early. Gordon showed us how to get out money back from the cards and explained how the system worked. He then showed me how to work the SMART Eticket app. All in all this was a great experience and I hope Gordon gets what he deserves!!! read more

Had to get out of town after this horrific fire, even if only for a few hours. We had planned this short trip weeks ago and although exhausted and very sad we decided to go. We took the Train from Airport Blvd in Santa Rosa to San Rafael. Remember whatever you do, you cannot pay for anything with cash! The Trains were very clean and more than adequate staff (at least on a Monday morning and early afternoon) were friendly and very welcoming. Special thanks to S. Mitchell in Santa Rosa who was so friendly and enthusiastic. By downloading the Smart app we had our tickets and it was very easy. There is a small concession area that was very reasonably priced and the personnel were friendly. While I do feel sorry for the residents who have to listen to the horn as I will eventually, that's progress I guess. A pretty ride! At several of the stops be prepared to hire other transportation to get you away from some terminals which are not within walking distance to a Downtown or tourist area. San Rafael does drop you off near 'old downtown' so to speak. Nice day trip and I would imagine a bit of a relief for some commuters. Enjoyed the experience! read more