Get a free lift on Wednesday, October 1!
Join us for Free Ride Day, Wednesday, October 1! All MTS Trolleys and buses, as well as the NCTD COASTER, SPRINTER and BREEZE, will be free to ride all day (no payment needed).
In a time when MTS is seeing ridership growth (81+ million trips!), Free Ride Day has been the highest ridership day for us the last few years! Free Ride Day is a great chance to try a new commute, explore more with family or friends, or just give your wallet a break. How many people will get on board this year?
Whether you’re a transit pro or a little nervous when it comes to using the bus or Trolley, use this page to:
- Learn more about MTS bus and Trolley service
- Get tips for riding, like how to plan or trip or contact security if needed
- Discover fun places around town by transit
- Ways to get involved in Free Ride Day!
Free Ride Day is held in conjunction with California Clean Air Day. Want to help reduce carbon emissions in the San Diego Region? Take the Clean Air Day Pledge now!
Fun Ridership Facts:
If you’re thinking about giving transit a try on Free Ride Day, and are curious: “Who’s on board with MTS?”
- More than 2/3 of all MTS riders are using the bus or Trolley to get to work or school
- Riders saying they use MTS to get to special events is up almost 50% from a few years ago
- The Trolley is the second busiest light rail system in the country
- Youth ridership has exploded with the free Youth Opportunity Pass program
- And more!
There’s a lot to celebrate this Free Ride Day, as we continue to welcome more riders back to the system, continue to make safety and technology improvements, and more. If you care about the future of transit, you may also want to get involved with MTS OnTrack, our effort to plan the most sustainable transportation system for MTS looking ahead. Right now, we’re asking community members, if we had the chance to make public transportation work better for more people, what would you want to see? Complete three short activities to get involved before they close on September 12.
Transit Tips: How to Ride
Getting onboard for the first time this Free Ride Day? Taking transit can be easy! Here are some tips:
1. Plan Your Trip
Whether you have a destination in mind or want to explore a new part of San Diego, it’s important to have a plan. You can make a plan using the:
2. Park & Ride
Don’t forget about Park & Ride lots! If the bus route near you isn’t convenient enough for the first and last mile, remember that MTS has free park and ride lots all around our Trolley and Rapid networks to cut down travel time!
3. Get On Board
Nervous about whether you’re taking the right route? Or which Trolley platform to stand on? Which direction are you headed? No need to stress. For a step-by-step guide check out our Transit Like a Pro video series:
4. Ride Assured
Safety is a top priority for MTS, and has been a focus for investment in recent years. Security dispatch is available 24/7, so you can ride with peace of mind. If you need assistance from security or would like to report an incident/situation, you can call or text MTS security 24/7 at (619) 595-4960.
Get Involved: Free Ride Day Pop-Ups + Pledge
No matter where your Free Ride Day Trip takes you, stop by an MTS pop-up for some cool transit swag, enter giveaways, and learn more about what’s new at MTS! We’ll even help you plan your next trip with us.
MTS Pop-Up Information coming soon!
Plus, Free Ride Day is held in conjunction with California Clean Air Day. Want to help reduce carbon emissions in the San Diego Region? Take the Clean Air Day Pledge now!
Explore More: Where MTS Can Take You
Ready to get on board but not sure where to go? With four Trolley lines and almost 100 bus routes, the possibilities are endless. You check out a new museum in Balboa Park, hit the beach, or try a restaurant in a new part of town after work! Plus, MTS has Trolley and Rapid bus service to some of the region’s busiest employment areas like downtown, UTC, Kearny Mesa and more. Check out our popular destinations map below to get ideas for your Free Ride Day Trip.
