San Diego – The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is helping San Diegans get where they need to go this holiday season, announcing a Sunday service schedule for Christmas Day and enhanced Trolley service to accommodate large crowds expected for the Wild Horses Music Festival on Saturday, Dec. 27.
“Whether you’re heading to celebrate the holidays with loved ones or gearing up for a night of live music downtown, MTS is here to help you travel safely, affordably, and stress-free,” said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Board Chair and San Diego City Councilmember, District 3.
To spread a little extra holiday cheer, MTS will offer its Friends Ride Free promotion on Christmas Day. Every fare-paying adult passenger can bring one guest along at no additional cost. For complete holiday service details, visit sdmts.com/getting-around/service-changes.
Christmas Day, Dec. 25:
- All Trolley lines will operate every 30 minutes and most bus routes will operate on a Sunday schedule.
- No service will be provided on Rapid Express Routes 280 or 290 and Rural Routes 888, 891, 892 and 894.
- MTS Access subscription passengers who still want service must call ahead of time to arrange their transportation.
- Holiday travelers can benefit from direct connections to the airport through Route 992 adjacent to Santa Fe Depot or the San Diego Airport Flyer from the Old Town Transit Center.
Support Services:
- The Transit Store – Closed on Christmas Day.
- MTS Information and Trip Planning – Closed on Christmas Day. On Wednesday, Dec. 24, this office has modified hours from 5:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- PRONTO Support Center – Closed on Christmas Day. On Wednesday, Dec. 24, this office is open with modified hours of 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Customer Service office – Closed on Christmas Day.
- All Support Services will re-open for normal hours on Friday, Dec. 26.
Wild Horses Music Festival, Dec. 27:
Thousands of concertgoers are expected to make their way to Petco Park on Saturday, Dec. 27, for the Wild Horses Music Festival, headlined by Mumford & Sons. To keep the concert crowds moving smoothly, MTS will increase Trolley service before and after the festival to help riders travel safely and conveniently.
Pre-Concert Service
- All Trolley Lines: Regular Trolley service arriving at every station every 15 minutes or better.
Post-Concert Service
- UC San Diego Blue Line: Trolleys will depart downtown San Diego to San Ysidro every 15 minutes until 12:07 a.m. Four additional trips will depart downtown San Diego to UTC until 11:40 p.m.
- Green Line: Trolleys will depart downtown San Diego every 15 minutes, with extra trips as needed from Gaslamp Quarter Station until crowds diminish.
- Orange Line: Trolleys will depart downtown San Diego every 15 minutes after the music festival ends until crowds diminish.
- Copper Line: Trolleys will depart every 15 minutes in both directions, with additional trips added until 12:25 a.m.
Music festival attendees can find service details on the MTS Wild Horses Music Festival webpage.
Parking Alternatives
Fans can avoid high parking costs by using MTS’ free park & ride lots throughout the Trolley system. View the full list of Park & Ride lots on the MTS website. 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)
- El Cajon Transit Center (Green Line and Orange Line – 400+ free parking spots)
- Amaya Drive (Green Line and Orange Line – 230 free parking spots)
- Spring Street (Orange Line – 235 free parking spots)
- H Street (UC San Diego Blue Line South – 300 free parking spots)
- E Street (UC San Diego Blue Line South – 265 free parking spots)
- Balboa Avenue Transit Center (UC San Diego Blue Line North – 225 free parking spots)
- Tecolote Station (UC San Diego Blue Line North – 275 free parking spots)
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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