Each day, Marin Transit strives to deliver safe, reliable and easy-to-understand transit services that expand mobility options for the diverse residents of Marin.

From San Rafael’s Fourth Street to the canopy of redwoods in Muir Woods to Novato’s Hamilton neighborhood to the arches of the Civic Center, our county has a diversity of locations that residents deeply value. Marin Transit provides public transit, paratransit and senior mobility services that connect Marin residents to jobs, schools, shopping and recreation throughout the county.

Starting mid-June, Marin Transit is expanding bus and shuttle services by almost 20 percent, with new express routes, more direct service to where most riders want to go and more frequent service along major travel corridors.

Highlights include new east-west express connections from the Canal and San Rafael to San Anselmo and Fairfax, new north-south express service along Highway 101 from Novato to Sausalito, and a new route alignment to serve the Canal, San Rafael, Larkspur Landing, College of Marin and Marin General Hospital.

Over 12,000 transit trips are made on local Marin Transit services every weekday. This service expansion will add nearly 29,000 annual hours of service, the largest increase in local service since the system was first developed in 2006.

This service expansion, along with the additional 15,000 hours of service added in August 2013, provides a third more service than was offered just three years ago.

This growth goes a long way towards meeting the strategies of the 20-year Measure A transportation sales tax, approved by voters in 2004, and helps fulfill Marin Transit’s long-term strategic vision for local public transit for Marin.

At the same time, Marin Transit has developed and expanded the infrastructure of transit operations: access to real-time schedule information, a brand new riders’ guide, new bus stop signage and expansion of the Marin Transit fleet. In addition to the robust fixed-route bus service, Marin Transit provides a diverse menu of mobility programs that respond to the special travel needs of our school children and seniors.

Through the Marin Access program, Marin Transit offers a range of travel options for seniors and those with mobility challenges that enable them to live independently. Marin Access provides a one-call, one-click Travel Navigator program to help riders determine the service options that best meet their needs.

In addition to paratransit, Marin Access supports Volunteer Driver and subsidized taxi programs for seniors.

Marin Transit plays a significant role in reducing traffic congestion.

Most recently, school busing service (yellow bus and supplemental transit) and the Muir Woods Shuttle are two programs that have successfully alleviated specific congestion challenges in the county.

With this new service expansion, Marin Transit is renewing its commitment to deliver more efficient and convenient service that improves the quality of life, environment and mobility within Marin County overall.

Marin Transit connects our community to the places we love, offers a reliable option for customers getting to work, shopping, and health care, reduces greenhouse gases by taking more cars off the road, and saves residents time and money.

Maybe now is the right time to consider if transit services work for you.

See the full list of Marin Transit’s services, upcoming service increases, and how to plan your next trip at marintransit.org.

Nancy E. Whalen in the general manager of Marin Transit.