The fate of the SMART train is back in the hands of North Bay voters this June as Measure B seeks a 30-year tax extension to keep the railway on track.
According to the Press Democrat, the measure comes as the agency reports record-breaking momentum, with ridership on pace to nearly double its pre-pandemic peak thanks to new stations and a popular free-fare program for youth and seniors.
Supporters argue the train provides a vital “escape hatch” from Highway 101 traffic and anchors new affordable housing developments along the corridor. However, critics labeled the system a “failed experiment,” pointing to high taxpayer subsidies and a farebox recovery rate that remains among the lowest in the country.
If the simple-majority measure fails, officials warn the service could eventually cease operations when the current tax expires in 2029.