New Padres Trolley wrap featuring key players encourages gameday ridership
San Diego – The San Diego Padres are gearing up to open the 2026 Major League Baseball season, and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is reminding fans that taking transit is the easiest and most reliable way to get to the Opening Day excitement at Petco Park. With sellout crowds expected throughout the opening weekend homestand, MTS will increase Trolley service to help fans avoid traffic delays, parking challenges, and rising fuel costs—ensuring a smooth, stress‑free trip to the ballpark.
"Opening Day is almost here, and our team is excited to welcome thousands of Padres fans who choose the easiest and fastest way to reach America's #1 ballpark," said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Board Chair and San Diego City Councilmember who represents Downtown. "As the Padres kick off another thrilling season, fans can rely on MTS to provide frequent and dependable service to and from Petco Park, making their gameday experience even better."
During Opening Weekend, MTS will ramp up Trolley service, with trains arriving every 15 minutes or better at all stations before and after each game. Three Trolley lines—the UC San Diego Blue Line, Orange Line, and Green Line—provide direct service to stations located just steps from the stadium's gates. To highlight the ease and affordability of riding transit to the ballpark, MTS and the Padres also unveiled a new Trolley wrap featuring key players in the team's signature brown and gold.
"Our partnership with MTS plays a critical role in delivering a great gameday experience for Padres fans from the moment they head downtown to the moment they return home," said Padres COO Caroline Perry. "Public transit helps fans get to Petco Park quickly, safely, and stress‑free, while sharing the excitement of Padres baseball with fellow fans along the way. We're proud to work alongside MTS and our community partners to make every gameday easier, more enjoyable, and more connected."
Last season, an average of 8,000 fans rode the Trolley to Padres games on sellout dates, and this year MTS is ready to meet growing demand with ramped up service throughout the season. As the Padres look to a successful 2026 season, fans can count on MTS for a smooth, stress‑free trip to every game.
Pre-Game Service – March 26 (First Pitch 1:10 p.m.)
- All Trolley Lines: Trolleys will serve all stations every 15 minutes or better, with extra service added to the Green Line closer to first pitch.
Post-Game Service – March 26
- UC San Diego Blue Line: Trolleys will depart 12th & Imperial Transit Center every 7.5 minutes to San Ysidro and every 15 minutes to UTC.
- Green Line: Trolleys will depart 12th & Imperial every 15 minutes, with extra trips as needed from Gaslamp Quarter Station until crowds diminish.
- Orange Line: Trolleys will depart 12th & Imperial every 15 minutes.
Easy Parking Options
Padres fans can park at one of MTS' free Park & Ride lots throughout the Trolley system. The most convenient locations are:
- Old Town Transit Center (Green Line and UC San Diego Blue Line North – 400+ free parking spots)
- Overflow parking option available across the street at Caltrans District 11 – (4050 Taylor St., San Diego, CA, 92110 – 300+ additional free parking spots)
- Morena/Linda Vista (Green Line – 200 spaces, most parking available off Friars Road)
- Grossmont Transit Center (Green Line and Orange Line – 220 free parking spots)
- Amaya Drive (Green Line and Orange Line – 230 free parking spots)
- El Cajon Transit Center (Green and Orange Line, 400+ free parking spots)
- H Street (UC San Diego Blue Line, 295 free parking spots)
- Balboa Avenue Transit Center (UC San Diego Blue Line, 227 free parking spots)
- Tecolote Station (UC San Diego Blue Line, 279 free parking spots)
Easy Ways to Pay Your Fare
Contactless Payment: Fans now have the option to simply tap a credit card or other contactless payment options, such as a smartphone or smartwatch, on a station validator to pay for a one-way ride ($2.50, valid for two hours). This allows fans to bypass the ticket machine and speed up boarding times.
Kids ride free! Families going to the weekend games can save money by taking MTS. Two children 12 and under ride for free with every paying adult.
PRONTO: Fans can download the PRONTO app in advance and load at least $5, which covers a round-trip fare for adult riders. All riders must tap or scan their pass on Trolley platform validators prior to boarding.
Every person needs their own payment option; you cannot buy fares for multiple people on the same account, card or payment method.
About MTS
The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates 93 bus routes and four Trolley lines in 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego. MTS is a leader in advancing initiatives to create a greener, cleaner and better-connected transit system in San Diego. Each weekday, more than 250,000 passenger trips are taken throughout the MTS system, taking people to work, school, health appointments and other essential trips. In FY 2025, MTS served more than 81 million riders. For service schedule updates, news, alerts and more information on how you can use public transportation, go to www.sdmts.com.
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