Tips for riding SMART train before service begins Aug. 25

When does service begin?

Full train service begins Aug. 25, with the first southbound train scheduled to depart the Sonoma County Airport station at 12:49 p.m. The first northbound train will leave San Rafael at 2:29 p.m. A grand opening event will be held at 9 a.m. at the downtown Santa Rosa station in Railroad Square.

How much will it cost to ride?

Train rides will be free of charge on opening day, and fares will be discounted 50 percent through Labor Day, Sept. 4. Regular fares will be in place Sept. 5. The system has a $3.50 base fare and $2 charge for each zone line crossed, which equates to an average overall fare of $5.25 with discounts factored in. Without discounts, the average fare is $7.50. A 31-day pass is ?$200, and discounts are available for youth, seniors, veterans, college students and disabled riders, as well as commuters who get their tickets in bulk through employers. For a full fare schedule, go to sonomamarintrain.org/fares.

Where can I buy a ticket?

SMART does not offer paper tickets. Fares will be collected from reloadable Clipper cards or through the SMART mobile phone app.

Where can I get on and off the train?

The initial 43-mile line includes 10 stations, from Sonoma County Airport in the north to San Rafael in the south. A $48 million, 2.2-mile extension is planned to Larkspur and ferries serving San Francisco in 2019. No public timeline exists for service north to Windsor, Healdsburg and Cloverdale.

How can I get to a SMART station?

Local transit systems offer stops near most of the SMART stations. Bike racks and lockers exist at most stations. SMART has 268 parking spaces at three stations: in Rohnert Park, and in Novato near Hamilton Parkway and at the Novato-San Marin station. The rail agency is planning an additional 50 parking spaces each at the downtown Petaluma station and the Airport Boulevard station north of Santa Rosa. Some employers also plan to offer shuttle service to stations. SMART’s website offers a full rundown of transportation options for each station.

Can I take my bicycle on SMART?

Bikes are welcome on SMART trains. Each two-car train has spaces for up to 24 bikes. SMART stations will have bike parking and secured bike lockers. SMART also is exploring partnerships to provide bike sharing near some of its stations. For a detailed SMART bicycle informational overview, visit bikesonoma.org.

Are trains accessible to those with disabilities?

All SMART trains and platforms meet or exceed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Service animals are allowed on the train and must be clearly identified as such.