Marin Transit’s extension of funding for its school bus program fulfills promises made in 2018 when voters passed Measure AA, including the important goal of helping to ease traffic congestion caused by morning and afternoon school traffic.

The objective is providing students’ families with a safe, affordable and reliable way to get youth to and from Marin public schools by providing an alternative to parents driving to and from local campuses.

The transit commission recently voted to continue its contracts with five Marin school districts through the 2027-28 school year, a three-year funding cycle costing about $1.1 million each year.

That sum lives up to the Measure AA promise that at least 5% of the local half-cent sales tax would go for school transit.

The funding and promise was also an important strategy in addressing school-related traffic, which has been estimated to be about 20% of the morning congestion on Marin roads.

Marin Transit’s “Yellow Bus” strategy helps take some of those cars off the road.

The funding for 2025-26 school year supports school bus services in the Reed, Ross Valley, San Rafael, Miller Creek and Sausalito Marin City school districts. Those districts are required to match the funding, covering at least 20% of the cost.

The Larkspur-Corte Madera and Novato school districts have also expressed an interest in starting a partnership with Marin Transit, a possibility being explored by the district.

County Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters, a transit commissioner, says there have been proposals to bring state funding to the local bus services, specifically as a way to reduce transportation-related pollution.

But she admitted those proposals haven’t gotten much “traction” with state legislators.

School buses used to be the norm for public schools across the county. But as enrollment declined, so did ridership. Meanwhile, the cost of running the buses continued to rise, leading cash-strapped districts to get out of the business of running school buses.

At the same time, many districts closed some of their campuses, in many cases the so-called “neighborhood schools,” requiring students to travel farther to reach their campuses. Without buses, many parents had to drive their children to and from school.

The result?

More school-related cars in morning and afternoon traffic and congestion and safety concerns in front of the campuses.

According to Marin Transit, more than 3,200 students ride the Measure AA-supported buses. In San Rafael alone, the number is 1,466, according to the district’s 2023-24 statistics.

That’s a lot of cars removed from morning and afternoon traffic.

Marin Transit’s support also includes a requirement that its funding helps cover discounts offered to lower-income households.

“Yellow school bus transportation programs are an effective means in reducing roadway congestion during weekday peak hours,” according to Sandra Romero, the transit district’s specialized transportation services analyst.

Marin Transit’s funding is an example of layers of local government working together to address a local problem.

Its funding has been key in helping build reliable and affordable school transit systems working to make a difference.