San Mateo-Foster City bus depot will relocate to the Event Center

The finalized location was decided upon shortly after concerns were raised by residents near the former proposed depot location at Bayside Academy. Parents felt the once rumored 60 buses would have a negative impact on local traffic in the Shoreview neighborhood.

“We’re really pleased this worked out,” Gaffney said. “This is really a win-win for our community and the Event Center.”

Gaffney said a lot of different options were explored over the years.

“There’s not a lot of spaces in the city of San Mateo and Foster City to accommodate 40 buses,” Gaffney said.

The district has shopped around for the right location to house the district’s fleet for years, and previously felt the right location was the site at Bayside Academy. When nearby residents got wind of the plan, and rumors arose of more than 60 buses to be stationed, questions were raised and the district was left with a need to respond. 

“We heard our community members loud and clear and we moved as quickly as possible to find a solution,” Gaffney said. “I think we have always wanted to be really responsive to community members.” 

Bayside Academy was considered as an apt location because of its large blacktop that will be revamped soon and its amount of “unused space” and central location. The school will still undergo a major revamping of its blacktop, but Gaffney said details will come at future meetings. Plans to move forward with the blacktop project were put on hold at the district’s board meeting Jan. 23. 

“I think that the proximity to where it’s located, proximity to [State Route 92/Highway 101] makes it convenient for them to access and get to our school from there, is certainly a bonus,” Gaffney said. “It’s a really good location, it’s easy to get in and out of.”

Public concern over the bus depot’s location sparked following a Dec. 31 Nextdoor post made by San Mateo Councilmember Danielle Cwirko-Godycki raising the topic to residents, many who said it was the first time hearing of the matter. The project was discussed at more than a handful of board meetings, but the matter was enveloped in agenda items titled as general updates on construction and capital projects throughout the district. 

“I’m very grateful that they took the feedback at face value and took action to immediately seek a better solution for everyone in the community,” Cwirko-Godycki said. 

Both Gaffney and Cwirko-Godycki suggested better communication could be made in the future. 

“I do think, going forward, there’s an opportunity for everyone in public office to continue to listen and pay attention to what the community is looking for in terms of action and thoughtful decision making,” Cwirko-Godycki said. 

Gaffney said the supportive, involved community is a benefit to the district.

“Could we have done something different in this instance? Yes. But we’ll move forward as best we can,” Gaffney said.