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Board approves Marin Transit bus parking lease as neighbors report early-morning beeping
Summary
The Board approved a consent calendar that included a three-year lease for Marin Transit to park up to 15 school buses in a San Rafael site; neighbors told the board early-morning beeping from the yard disrupts sleep and asked for relocation or monthly reporting on search efforts for alternate sites.
The Marin County Board of Supervisors on July 15 approved a consent calendar that included authorization for Marin Transit to continue using a county parking site for school buses. Marin Transit staff said the agreement supports parking for 15 buses (12 operational on a typical day, with three kept as spares) that serve seven Marin school districts.
Why it matters: Marin Transit said the location reduces costs and keeps buses in-county, avoiding additional bridge commutes that would increase delays, emissions and operating expense. Board members and staff emphasized the county-wide shortage of suitable parking and noted Marin Transit has evaluated over 75 potential properties.
Neighbors told the board the operation causes noise disturbance from repeated beeping early in the morning. Cecile Nielsen said the yard produced repeated beeps from drivers testing brakes and performing checks, sometimes starting at 5–7 a.m., and asked that buses be spread out or relocated and that Marin Transit provide monthly reports on site-search efforts. A neighbor named Renee said the noise regularly prevents her household from returning to sleep and urged relocation to a nonresidential site.
Robert Betts, Marin Transit director of operations, said contractors providing school bus services often come from outside the county and that local parking is essential for reliable pickup and for retaining drivers. Betts estimated the program removes nearly 950 car trips daily by transporting students; he confirmed 15 buses under the lease and explained three are spare vehicles.
Supervisor Lucan confirmed the lease includes a termination clause allowing any party to end the agreement with prorated payments, a point Marin Transit staff reiterated as a flexibility should another site become available. Supervisor Colbert and others stressed the county and transit agency should continue searching for alternatives and minimize operations that create neighborhood disturbance.
The board approved the consent calendar B (which included the lease) on a voice vote after public comment; the meeting record shows a motion to approve consent calendar B by Supervisor Colbert, second by Supervisor Lucan, and the chair called for “Aye.” Neighbors requested monthly updates and urged the board to avoid a fixed three-year permanence if better sites become available.
