A Tale of Two Transit Systems in Guadalupe and Santa Maria Finally Coming Together
Jarrod Zinn
GUADALUPE, Calif. – It will now be easier for people to get between Guadalupe and Santa Maria.
The rumors are true, and it all starts on July 1st: SMOOTH’s Guadalupe Flyer will be merged with Santa Maria Regional Transit—or “SMRT”.
“We’re going to miss operating the Guadalupe Transit Service,” says Fil Simas, SMOOTH Transportation’s executive director. “We’re proud to have been a part of it, and we’ve been affiliated with it. We started it, we initiated it, nurtured it, helped it grow.”
Those in Guadalupe who ride the bus to and from Santa Maria may start seeing their drivers in new uniforms in July.
Riders will also no longer have to pay two separate fares.
These transit systems are currently two different entities, and passengers are paying two separate sets of fares, following two different online interfaces. The Santa Maria City Council gave the green light to the potential integration of the two systems back in February.
“Our entire industry, both on the private side and the public side, have experienced significant challenges,” says Gamaliel Anguiano, City of Santa Maria’s transit manager. “I mean, leading into the pandemic and certainly coming out, that’s expedited conversation between the two communities about merging the two transit systems.”
SMRT will now be the central, one-stop-shop interface for all transit information.
“The consolidation of Guadalupe Flyer with Smart is only one additional step in the major reworking of the transit network throughout North Santa Barbara County,” says Anguiano. “But there are plenty more steps to come.”
Santa Maria Regional Transit will also add two new lines that Guadalupe Flyer riders will be familiar with.
Route 40 will take passengers from the Guadalupe transit station to the Santa Maria transit center.
And 41 will circle, providing stops around the Guadalupe transit center.
“If you’re a Guadalupe resident you’ll see the Santa Maria regional transit livery coming up. That is your bus. That is the busses will bring you into town and take you everywhere else,” says Anguiano.
Passengers can ride for free from July 1st through 11th.
Additionally, any Guadalupe resident who attends classes at Allan Hancock College will qualify for the Bulldog Pass, allowing unlimited free rides in Santa Maria while enrolled.
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