Although Golden Gate Transit's bus route No. 24 is just five riders short of covering costs, transit officials have voted to end weekday service to Olema, Point Reyes Station, and Inverness.
As of Nov. 24, the commuter route between San Francisco and the coast will end at Castro Street in Forest Knolls.
To be cost effective for the operating Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District, the weekday commuter route needed 25 riders a day.
The route was slated for reduction last June, but opposition from coastal residents led the district to extend the bus for three months to see if ridership increased.
During the three-month trial, the number of daily riders doubled from four to eight. After school began in September, the number of riders increased to 20 each day. However, only five riders were from areas west of Forest Knolls, said Alan Zahradnik of the district staff.
"The staff acknowledged we would look at counts in September and see if the target was met, and it wasn't," he said. "We have to draw the line at some point when it comes time to draw up schedules for the next six months."
Marin County Transit District is responsible for supporting routes within the county, while Golden Gate operates routes between Marin and other counties.
Marin County Transit District Director John Loll told The Light last month that his local district does not have enough money to take over the coastal portion of the route.
Holiday and weekend service to the coast will not be affected.