SMART's Windsor service starts

Passenger service to the new Windsor station started over the weekend, the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) announced. 

The expansion marks a major milestone in SMART’s mission to provide sustainable, regional transportation for communities across Sonoma and Marin counties — and is the first of three northern extensions SMART plans to complete in the coming years.

The new station is funded in part by Regional Measure 3, which is administered by MTC's Bay Area Toll Authority. In 2023, SMART announced that $40 million in RM3 toll revenues allocated towards the Windsor and Healdsburg extensions were available The Healdsburg extension is expected to open in 2026. 

“Opening this new SMART station is the realization of a long-held promise to the Windsor community,” said Chris Coursey, Chairman of the SMART Board of Directors. “We’re proud to deliver this long-awaited connection and to take the next step toward completing SMART’s full northern route. It’s an exciting day for Windsor and for the entire North Bay.”

The opening of the Windsor station sets the stage for the next phase of SMART’s expansion, which will extend passenger rail service to Healdsburg, followed by Cloverdale, completing the original vision for the SMART system. 

Located just steps from the Windsor Town Green at 464 Emily Rose Circle, the new station enhances access to one of Sonoma County’s most cherished community hubs. Riders will be able to enjoy Windsor’s vibrant shops, restaurants, and events by train—and, just as importantly, Windsor residents will gain seamless, car-free access to destinations throughout the North Bay, including Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Petaluma, Novato, San Rafael, and Larkspur, with easy connections to regional transit and ferry service to San Francisco.

The Windsor rail extension includes a 2.6-mile segment of the SMART Multiuse Pathway, providing a safe and scenic route for walking and biking, and strengthening multimodal connections between Windsor and surrounding communities. The SMART Pathway is part of the Great Redwood Trail, which once completed, will be a 307-mile multiuse path connecting California’s San Francisco and Humboldt Bays.

Early modeling for the SMART system projected the Windsor station would become one of the most popular stops along the rail line. With SMART currently experiencing record-breaking ridership, the agency anticipates strong demand for service to and from Windsor as more people discover the convenience and value of rail travel.

This newest addition to the SMART rail and pathway network strengthens both local and regional connectivity while advancing SMART’s commitment to clean, accessible, and future-ready transportation. As part of that commitment, SMART offers free fares for youth (ages 18 and under) and seniors (65+), making train travel even more accessible to families, students, and older adults throughout the North Bay.

All are invited to join SMART, local leaders, and community members on Friday, June 13 at 1:45 p.m. at the Windsor SMART station to commemorate this major addition to the SMART system. RSVP and learn more at sonomamarintrain.org/windsor. 

The new SMART train schedule, including service to and from the Windsor station, is now available online. Riders are encouraged to review the schedule and plan their trips to enjoy all that Windsor has to offer.