[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E309-E310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      40TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAMTRANS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 15, 2016

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor SamTrans, a core 
provider of public transit and allied services in San Mateo County and 
for all of Silicon Valley, upon its 40th Anniversary. This is the story 
of a government agency that sees mountains as molehills, and that 
believes that challenges are merely potholes to be filled.
  In one of its many roles, SamTrans operates buses in San Mateo 
County. In its second role, it administers Caltrain service linking San 
Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties--the heart of Silicon 
Valley. Finally, the staff of SamTrans also manage the San Mateo County 
Transportation Authority. This trifecta of public agencies--all 
operated via SamTrans--have become the backbone of mobility across 
three counties over the past forty years.
  In 1976, SamTrans was formed through the consolidation of 11 
municipal bus systems in San Mateo County. The following year, it began 
what was to become a decades-long effort at inclusion of our entire 
population in transit services with the commencement of Redi-Wheels 
service. Redi-Wheels offers mobility to the disabled. My mother-in-law 
regularly used Redi-Wheels, linking her to doctor's appointments, trips 
to the grocery store, and bridge club gatherings throughout the 
community. SamTrans is not simply a bus or train or road construction 
organization. It offers all of our residents dignity through mobility, 
an offer accepted by over 300,000 disabled residents in 2015 alone.
  The success of SamTrans is evident in its expanding scope of 
operations during these past four decades. From operating bus service 
starting in 1976, SamTrans was made the managing agency of our local 
transportation authority--the body that funds roads--in 1988. While the 
board of the transportation authority sets priorities, the SamTrans 
staff plans and carries out those directives.
  This spirit of flexibility and frugalness was recognized as 
invaluable when, in 1992, SamTrans was made the managing partner of the 
newly-created Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board. While the Board of 
Directors of the joint powers board oversees Caltrain service, the 
staff of SamTrans makes important contributions to the planning and 
operating backbone of Caltrain. Baby Bullet Caltrain service, launched 
in 2004 and promising to cut travel times between San Francisco and San 
Jose by up to 50 percent, sparked a renaissance in Caltrain ridership 
which today is over 60,000 passengers every weekday. SamTrans and 
Caltrain have since worked together so that trains, buses and shuttles 
support these commuters throughout the week and throughout San Mateo 
County.
  In 1992, the SamTrans board also provided 25 percent of the 
construction costs of the Colma BART station, bringing BART service 
further into northern San Mateo County. Eventually, BART arrived at San 
Francisco International Airport, bus service was modified to account 
for emerging travel patterns, and roadways were constructed, all with 
the participation of SamTrans staff and its board.
  Mr. Speaker, you might ask why voters repeatedly approved sales tax 
measures to create this web of mobility. Approval arises from the 
confidence that voters have in the staff of SamTrans in its multiple 
roles serving bus riders, train travelers and motorists. Unlike some 
transportation agencies, there is no drama at SamTrans, only reliable 
delivery--of bus service, train service or road construction.
  Today, the bus service that is at the core of the operations of 
SamTrans continues to evolve. Service has been consolidated along the 
El Camino corridor and increased in frequency to once every fifteen 
minutes. Bus service on weekends has been extended

[[Page E310]]

south into Santa Clara County and northward to Devil's Slide to serve 
weekend visitors to our new county park. Over the years, SamTrans set 
records for miles travelled between major repairs, miles driven without 
accidents, courtesy towards customers, participation in community 
events, and as a great place to work. In fiscal year 2015, 13.1 million 
rides were taken on SamTrans buses, and 2016 is destined to be an even 
greater year.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an agency that struggles to keep up with the 
expectations of the public, but this is the opposite of the image of 
some government agencies which are, sadly, viewed as unresponsive to 
public needs. SamTrans, with a board that welcomes challenges and a 
staff which multi-tasks across three counties and tens of millions of 
dollars of annual obligations, has a bright future. Forty years ago, no 
one could foresee that the consolidation of several bus lines would 
lead to serving over 13 million bus riders annually. No one could 
foresee the multiple roles that this organization would come to play. 
However, at 40 years and thriving, SamTrans has become the mobility 
master of Silicon Valley. We honor its past, welcome its future, and 
celebrate its spirit. Thank you, SamTrans, for all of your roles and 
activities. SamTrans moves Silicon Valley.

                          ____________________