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PRESS RELEASE. From SamTrans Ride Plus on October 31st, 2023.
Ride Plus is a new shared-ride service that can take you anywhere within Half Moon Bay, East Palo Alto, and the Belle Haven neighborhood of Menlo Park.
It’s completely free to use through the end of the year 2023!
Leave the driving to us and relax on your way around town to shop, work, explore, or when transferring to SamTrans routes.
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October 31, 2023
SamTrans extends free rides on popular new microtransit service, Ride Plus
Originally set to expire at the end of October, SamTrans is extending a free promotional period for its Ride Plus on-demand service through Dec. 31, 2023.
After launching in mid-June, Ride Plus has seen steady ridership growth in the two service areas. The microtransit vans operate in East Palo Alto and the Belle Haven neighborhood of Menlo Park. They’re also available in the Half Moon Bay area.
“For trips to and from destinations not already served by our new van, Ride Plus has filled a very important mobility need for our seniors living in the Half Moon Bay area,” said Senior Coastsiders Executive Director Sandra Winter. “We’re thrilled that our community now has until the end of the year to continue sampling this valuable and convenient service.”
Ride Plus has recently approached nearly 2,800 trips per month, marking a steep increase from its first full month of service back in June and July.
“We’re very pleased with how popular Ride Plus has become in such a short period of time,” said SamTrans General Manager/CEO April Chan. “Extending our free-ride period will give even more people time to sample the convenience of this important addition to our transportation network.”
Starting Jan. 1, 2024, Ride Plus adult one-way fares will be $2.25 if paying with cash and $2.05 for those using Clipper. Youth and eligible discount fares will be $1.10 for cash and $1.00 with Clipper. Passes are also accepted. Fares are per-person and fixed, regardless of distance.
“I’m so thankful to the team behind Ride Plus, it’s a much-needed service here in East Palo Alto,” said Rebecca Lee, a regular passenger. “The drivers are incredibly friendly and helpful, and I’m thrilled to hear that the free promotion will continue through December.”
Trips on Ride Plus must begin and end within each of the service areas, but passengers can transfer to connecting SamTrans routes serving all of San Mateo County and portions of San Francisco and Palo Alto.
For more info, visit samtrans.com/RidePlus
SamTrans Ride Plus will be available in Half Moon Bay (and East Palo Alto and the Belle Haven neighborhood in Menlo Park). Residents, commuters, and visitors in this area are encouraged to take advantage of this new service.
There are no route stops, just stops chosen by passengers.
You may go directly to your destination — or you may have to stop at another place or two, depending on whether another passenger is in the van and has chosen a stop that’s on the way.
There are no fixed stops.
You can start and stop anywhere within the defined HMB zone!
On June 18th, 2023, SamTrans will launch “Ride Plus” — a sleek new transit service at your personal beck and call.
Simply download the app on June 18th, 2023, book your ride, and relax while we do the rest.
SamTrans RidePlus is a savvy way to get anywhere within the Half Moon Bay Ride Plus service area and, for a limited time (June 18 through July 31, 2023), it’s completely free to use.
CONVENIENT. AFFORDABLE.
Our fleet of vehicles is on standby to pick you up for a gathering at the beach, a trip to the grocery store, or your morning commute — anywhere within our designated Ride Plus service areas.
FAQs
What is SamTrans “Ride Plus”?
Ride Plus is a brand-new service offering easy, affordable transportation for users in Half Moon Bay, East Palo Alto and the Belle Haven neighborhood of Menlo Park. Starting June 18th, simply download the app or call to book your ride, and SamTrans does the rest.
What’s the difference between Ride Plus and the current bus service?
Where can I use Ride Plus?
SamTrans Ride Plus will be available in Half Moon Bay, East Palo Alto and the Belle Haven neighborhood in Menlo Park. Residents, commuters, and visitors in this area are encouraged to take advantage of this new service.
There are no route stops, just stops chosen by passengers.
You may go directly to your destination — or you may have to stop at another place or two, depending on whether another passenger is in the van and has chosen a stop that’s on the way.
There are no fixed stops. You can start and stop anywhere within the defined HMB zone.
What if I don’t have a way to download the app?
How much does it cost?
Currently, SamTrans Ride Plus is free to users during our promotional launch period from June 18th through July 31st, 2023.
Following this free promotional period, expect to pay the same low price you pay for regular bus service. Unlike Lyft, Uber, taxis, etc., the cost is fixed and will not vary depending on distance traveled.
When will this service be available?
We are excited to announce that SamTrans Ride Plus will launch this summer on June 18th, 2023!
How do I use this service?
Download our easy-to-use app to book rides on-demand. It’s similar to other rideshare services like “Uber Pool” or “Lyft Share” but with the added low-cost benefit of being a local public transit system dedicated to you and your community.
Author: Coastside Buzz
Me
Another service showing county-level ignorance of the coastside. Calling it “Half Moon Bay” when it includes Pillar Ridge (considered part of Moss Beach) and El Granada is semantically including a population in the unincorporated Midcoast that is more than half the size of HMB. The boundaries of the free-ride district do not include the rest of the Midcoast towns even though the proximity and social and commercial ties to those areas with El Granada, Miramar, Princeton, and Pillar Ridge are as great or greater than ties to HMB for most residents. Samtrans has never served the unincorporated Midcoast particularly well with its schedule and routes, and this new “service” lengthens that accusation.