SamTrans adds express bus SamTrans adds express bus (August 25, 2004)

By Marion Softky
Almanac Staff Writer

As of Monday, August 23, luxurious new express buses are carrying peak-hour passengers along the Bayshore Corridor between East Palo Alto and the new intermodal BART-Caltrain station at Millbrae.

The new REX -- for regional express -- buses have reclining seats, footrests, overhead reading lights, and luggage racks. SamTrans bought the 11 low-emissions buses with funds from a state traffic-congestion relief program, which provided $40 million for purchase of 96 new buses for express service throughout the Bay Area.

Unlike traditional express routes, REX will operate in both directions during peak commute periods, from 5:12 a.m. to 9:29 a.m., and from 3:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

Between East Bayshore and Cooley Avenue in East Palo Alto and the Millbrae station, buses will whisk passengers through limited stops in the Tyco business area in Menlo Park, Redwood Shores near Electronic Arts and Oracle, and along airport hotel row on Bayshore Highway in Burlingame.

Riders pay the regular local fare of $1.25 for adults.

Meanwhile, SamTrans is also cutting low-ridership routes this week. To balance its budget, it has eliminated four routes and adjusted 16. In the South County, the only changes are the elimination of two late-night weekend runs on the KX express route between Stanford Shopping Center and San Francisco.

For information on routes, call SamTrans at 800-660-4287; or check www.samtrans.com.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.