Commuters in the Peninsula have a new transit option with SamTrans' EPX Express Bus launch, set to streamline daily travel starting February 12. According to Menlo Park city officials, Route EPX will connect Belle Haven to East Palo Alto, Redwood City, San Francisco International Airport, San Bruno BART, and select downtown San Francisco locations, serving key stops like the Gateway 101 Shopping Center and the Redwood City Stanford Campus.

Operating from around 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, the new express service is primed to cut down on commute times without needing to transfer to other lines, such as Caltrain or the ECR, offering all-day service every 45 minutes it aims to reduce reliance on personal vehicles and ease congestion by providing direct access to and from San Bruno BART and downtown San Francisco during peak hours. This route will harness the Highway 101 Express Lanes for added efficiency, boasting a fare set at $2.50, or a reduced $2.05 for Clipper card users, affirming details provided by SamTrans.

Riders hoping to reach regional transit nodes can expect limited stops throughout East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Redwood City before the bus goes express to SFO AirTrain and San Bruno BART, with some trips also catering to those aiming for San Francisco's bustling heart. The express service notably excludes weekend operation and maintains that a bus should not be considered late until it's 5 minutes past the scheduled time, a caveat designed to keep expectations in check and scheduling reliably tight. Those seeking information about additional stops are encouraged to contact SamTrans directly.

The Route EPX comes as part of an ongoing evolution in local transit solutions, and alongside the existing services like routes ECR, 281, and 296, it reinforces the commitment of regional transit authorities to provide flexible, affordable alternatives to facilitate the daily journeys of Peninsula residents.