SamTrans Mobile App
Real time bus tracking will come in the October update!
WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THIS APP:
Pay bus fare using your phone without having to carry cash or worry about exact change
Buy and use fares instantly using a debit/credit card for a single fare or multiple fares for a group of riders. Mobile tickets must be used within thirty days
Learn more about how to use SamTrans and other transit systems to get around San Mateo County and beyond.
HOW IT WORKS
Tickets:
Go to Buy Tickets
Choose mode of travel
Add tickets to cart
Checkout
Activate ticket when bus arrives
Show ticket to driver
Trip Planning:
Enter start and end destinations
Search through available times that fit your schedule
Save locations as favorites for future trips
COMMON QUESTIONS
How do I pay for my tickets in the SamTrans Mobile app?
Debit or credit (American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover) cards are accepted.
Can customers use a commuter debit card?
Yes, provided you have funds in your account. If the card is denied, it will take three to five business days before the funding will appear back on your card.
If I am having a problem loading the application, who should I call?
Please call customer service at 1-800-660-4287. All problems should be directed to customer service which is available: weekdays 7am – 7pm, weekends & holidays 8am – 5pm.
Do I need an internet connection to buy or use tickets?
You will need an internet connection to buy and activate bus passes. However, if you save the purchased tickets in your device, you will not need to have internet connection to activate them.
Do I need to create an account to use the Trip Planner?
No. You only need to create an account if you are using the SamTrans Mobile app for purchasing tickets.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
Don’t uninstall the SamTrans Mobile app or erase your phone while you have active tickets on it. This will cause you to lose your tickets. Your tickets are stored on your phone (which makes it possible to use them without a cellular network or a wireless Internet connection). Before uninstalling the app or resetting your phone move tickets to the cloud (See Frequently Asked Questions for info).
Activate your ticket right before boarding
Show your ticket to the driver upon boarding
Watch your battery level. You cannot board without showing your ticket.
Category : Travel & Local
Reviews (23)
Departure times are unreliable. App does not seem to have a frequent auto-refresh for the next bus, and this is on top of SamTrans drivers speeding past bus stops even if they are many minutes ahead of schedule. 511 tends to be more reliable, it will show when it was last refreshed. Also not convenient to get to departure times screen.
I used to use this app daily. Sometimes multiple times for next departure and trip planner. It is now useless to me and I'm sure, many others. Now, I won't be using the app anymore and will definitely be riding SamTrans less being that I am now unable to check the schedule and plan my route to work or home. This seems like it would be an obvious bad change to the app. Apparently not.
I'm sure it's useful but do not install if you already use clipper card. Clipper card users are charged a lower fare rate. Mobile users do not share that same discount. Only get this if your not a clipper card holder, but how can you not have a clipper card at this point?
They force storing credit card. As a visitor, found that too undesirable. Wasted time and data setting up account. Used cash instead.
It shows more than just SamTrans but it shows also part of the connecting areas of the Bay Area this is better that transit app this is a great app I have ever downloaded.
Easy to use and a great resource for trip planning. The bonus content was fun to read as well.
The bus time arrivals predictability is somewhat accurate. highly recommend using this app for real time bus arrival times over Google Maps
I can't install on my phone, and its also not a well made app. At least test your app on older devices.
Completely difficult and why no PayPal options. Everywhere Muni, Cal Train, VTA take it in their apps.
Gave me errors when I attempted to buy a pass, but turned out that it charged me three times.
I used the trip planner and real bus tracker everyday.Now those two items don't work anymore. Why remove these helpful tools?
It signed me out without asking. Now it wants me to update and the update download takes forever.... (yes...I got a decent connection)
The most useful feature, IMHO, the trip planner has been removed
The only reason to have this app was removed: trip planner. Uninstalling.
Easy pay is the best!
Had no issues in my experience, I just wish they have a monthly pass here
Trip planner.. without this tool is useless
Another san Francisco s***ty transit system.
its great
Super fast and convenient! Impressive SamTrans.
Love it
Not a fan
Honestly not the best app. Not very intuitive, and I wish it showed people a map with the bus lanes. Maybe, you could select the bus lanes number, and it would show the map of that lane with all the stops, and if you clicked another button, it could show the time table for the bus. I hate planning with this app, and its impossible to use it. Please fix it, or hire me to fix it. I will send my resume upon request.