As a student from Sonoma State University, I have seen other students bike, walk, or drive to campus, as well as take the local bus to campus. Sure, parking can cost a lot, and walking from Santa Rosa can take half of your morning, so why not take the train? That’s exactly why Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) caught my eye when I heard about the upcoming ballot measure to extend its funding through 2029. As I began reporting on this story, I wanted to understand whether the train could do more than just move people between cities – could it actually play a role in boosting Sonoma State’s enrollment?
The SMART train has been running in Sonoma and Marin counties since 2017, connecting riders from Larkspur up through the North Bay. For many students, the Rohnert Park and Cotati stations are the closest points of access to campus, though they still require a bus, bike, or a long walk to reach campus. Funding for the train is currently scheduled to expire in 2029, but the new ballot measure would extend it to 2040, giving SMART stability to maintain service and potentially its outreach.
For students, transportation costs can be a barrier to higher education. Parking permits on campus are expensive, and gas prices only add to the burden for commuters. A discounted or free SMART pass could make the train a more affordable option, potentially attracting more students from Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Windsor, or even Marin.
I spoke with Joanne Webster, CEO of the North Bay Leadership Council, to get a broader perspective of the situation. She pointed out that SMART already plays a big role in supporting the region’s economy. “SMART is carrying a million passengers per year for both personal and business trips,” she said. “It’s a great alternative to being stuck in traffic, and it’s really supporting economic development by connecting where housing is being built.”
When asked about the connection to students, Webster said, “Yes, I do see a connection. There are discount options through Clipper SMART, and the MASCOTS plan brought transit agencies together to make rides more accessible. Fewer people are relying on buses stuck in traffic, and more are choosing the train.”
She emphasized the importance of encouraging student ridership. “The SMART Board of Directors piloted a program where youth and seniors rode free, and later made that permanent. If more students can take the train, it could have a similar effect on ridership.”
For Webster, SMART’s pathway project also ties into student life. “The pathway offers students an opportunity to walk or bike safely. Why not use it to get around campus or the community?”
And for students questioning whether the train really matters, her response was direct: “Having a regional transit system in the North Bay is so important for connectivity. A reliable system makes it easier to get where you need to go, and that reliability is key to student success.”
To learn more about SMART’s priorities, I spoke with Emily Bett, SMART’s planning manager. She stressed how critical the ballot measure is. “We can’t campaign for it, but we can educate the public about what would happen if the tax measure weren’t extended.”
Bett also noted that SMART has been in conversations with Sonoma State for years about improving access. “We’ve discussed the idea of a shuttle from our stations to campus, and we’d really love to see that happen. Unlike the buses, there isn’t a way for us to count how many SSU students board our train, but we’re pushing for upgrades to Clipper that will allow us to track student ridership in the future.”
On the affordability side, she pointed to partnerships with other schools as a model. “At SRJC, we created an agreement where the school subsidized the program, dropping the costs of a regular SMART 31-day ticket (which is normally $117 ) down to $60. That kind of program could make a huge difference for SSU students, and one thing that I wish could happen right away is that there’s money for a Bay Pass for students to have and to reduce the cost for the university.”
Jeff Keating, associate vice president for government relations & strategic communications at Sonoma State University, highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of student transportation. “The university encourages any effort to make getting to campus simpler and more affordable, as transportation often is a challenge for current students and prospective students,” Keating said. “Public transportation also mitigates the environmental impact from automobile traffic, which is in keeping with SSU’s ethos of environmental preservation and stewardship of place.”
He added that SSU already partners with Sonoma County Transit to provide free bus service for students, including routes to and from the SMART Cotati station. “Redwood Bikeshare is also available, which can get folks from the SMART train to campus,” said Keating. “While SMART itself does not currently offer a discount to SSU students, the university will continue to dialogue with the agency about what might be possible going forward.” He also pointed to SSU’s Alternative Transportation Committee, which explores topics like these and is currently seeking student representatives.
As I worked on this story, I thought about the geography of our community. Both Cotati and Rohnert Park have SMART stations, though neither is directly on campus. The fact that the campus sits between these two communities makes the train’s role even more interesting. It’s not about getting to class; it’s about how Sonoma State fits into the broader North Bay region.
The ballot measure to extend SMART funding will ultimately be decided by voters, but its outcome has direct implications for students like me. If approved, it could open the door for partnerships that make transportation more affordable, sustainable, and appealing. That, in turn, could make Sonoma State more competitive at a time when enrollment has been a growing concern.
