Kaiser Permanente Marin-Sonoma Endorses SMART Measure

The proposed SMART train would serve 14 stations between Sonoma and Marin counties.

In recognition of Kaiser Permanente's commitment to workforce development, KP Marin-Sonoma is endorsing the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) measure on the November 4th election ballot.

The ballot measure asks voters in Marin and Sonoma counties to approve a 20-year, 1/4 cent local sales tax increase to authorize SMART to construct, operate, and maintain a passenger rail project and bicycle-pedestrian pathway on the publicly owned right-of-way stretching from Cloverdale to Larkspur. SMART rail service would serve as the backbone that ties existing transit systems, such as buses and ferries, into a seamless transportation network. Plans call for the train to serve 14 stations between Sonoma and Marin counties, with shuttles connecting commuters to key business districts and employers, including the Larkspur-San Francisco Ferry.

Kaiser Permanente's prime consideration in endorsing the measure is to address commute traffic congestion on the Highway 101 corridor, which greatly affects Kaiser San Rafael and Kaiser Santa Rosa physicians and employees.

The North Bay's high cost-of-living and housing prices cause many Kaiser Pemanente Marin-Sonoma personnel to reside and commute from out of the area. Rail is a transportation alternative that could aid in Kaiser Pemanente recruitment, retention, job satisfaction, and work-life balance while supporting a more "green" and stress-free option for commuters.

In 2006, the SMART measure nearly passed with a 65.3 percent "yes" vote in the two counties—just 1.4 percent short of passing. For more information about the SMART ballot measure, go to www.sonomamarintrain.org.