Free Ride Day

Fun Ridership Facts:  

If you’re thinking about giving transit a try 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!

If you care about the future of transit, you may also want to check out MTS OnTrack, our effort to plan the most sustainable transportation system for MTS. 

Getting onboard for the first time? 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:  

• MTS Trip Planner 
• Using the Trip Planner feature on the PRONTO App 
• Calling the Information and Trip Planning Office at (619) 233-3004 
• Once you’re out on the system, you can use tools like OneBusAway or the PRONTO app to track your route in real-time, and see if it’s running ahead of/behind schedule, or right on time! 

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.  

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 trip.