San Rafael, CA – Marin Transit is going out of its way to help revelers get to and home from the 2019 Marin County Fair in early July. And this option is free.
Marin Transit's shuttle buses will be free during the Marin County Fair in early July.All fixed-route bus and shuttle rides countywide will not cost a single cent during the 78
th Marin County Fair, which starts Wednesday, July 3, and runs through Sunday, July 7, at the Marin County Fairgrounds. There will be additional buses and operational hours those five days to the fairgrounds, off Civic Center Drive in San Rafael. Riders should note that the Paratransit, Catch-A-Ride, and Muir Woods Shuttle services will be exempt from the free fares.
The estimated cost of the service boost is $49,500, courtesy of Marin Transit.
“We’re incredibly grateful that Marin Transit is such a generous partner for the fair and for offering this free transportation option,” said Gabriella Calicchio, Director of the Department of Cultural Services, which runs the fair. “We encourage fairgoers to leave their cars at home and take advantage of our myriad transit options.”
That’s not the only public transportation option for fairgoers. Thanks to a new partnership between the County of Marin and Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART), there will be one additional late-night train heading northbound from San Rafael during the fair. As a supplement to the regular train schedule, there will be a special 10:30 p.m. departure from the Civic Center station, just a few steps from the fair’s main gate.
“This pilot program will be perfect for those who are sticking around for the fireworks at the end of the night,” Calicchio said. “Fairgoers will be able to walk past all the cars in the parking lot and hop right onto that train for an easy trip home. We’re really happy that we could partner with SMART to offer this.”
The County and SMART are splitting the cost of operating the additional train for the duration of the five-day fair. The cost estimate for each agency is $62,804. Ridership data will be evaluated after the fair.
The fair also is continuing another hassle-free and money-saving transportation option for those who opt to drive: a shuttle service from a nearby County of Marin parking lot. Fairgoers may park vehicles at the Marin Commons parking lot at 1600 Los Gamos Drive in San Rafael and hop on a shuttle bus. Marin Commons is on the west side of Highway 101 at the Lucas Valley Road/Smith Ranch Road exit, two miles north of the fairgrounds. Marin Commons is known locally as the home of the Marin County Sheriff’s Office and employees from some other County departments.
From the bus stop at Marin Commons’ Lobby B, shuttles will run about every 20 minutes to the fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. all five days of the fair. Shuttle users can expect delays after the fireworks, which are scheduled each night for 9:30 p.m.
Parking at the fairgrounds is $15-20, but parking at Marin Commons is free and taking the shuttle is only $2 round-trip. Kids 4 and under ride for free.
Don’t forget: You can ride your bike to the fair and park in the bike valet parking area near the main gate. The Marin County Bicycle Coalition offers the bike valet service for free from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on fair days.
Everyone, whether fairgoers or passers-by, is encouraged to avoid traffic near the fairgrounds during that time.
For more fair information, check www.marinfair.org.