Holiday and weekend promotions, free parking lots, directions, and more!
San Diego- Thousands of visitors are expected to arrive in San Diego in the next few days as Thanksgiving and Comic-Con festivities coincide in the same week for the first time. This year, Comic-Con is holding its first in-person gathering since 2019, taking place November 26-28, and the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is encouraging visitors and families to take transit to avoid traffic jams, expensive parking, and high gas prices. Masks or face coverings are still required while riding transit.
Holiday travelers have a new transit connection to the airport this holiday season, thanks to the new electric airport shuttle from Old Town. Passengers can take the Trolley to or from Old Town to pick up the free electric shuttle to terminals 1 or 2. (Route 992 from Santa Fe Depot is also running to the airport.)
All Trolley lines and bus routes will operate on a Sunday schedule. No service will be provided on Rapid Express Routes 280 or 290, Sorrento Valley COASTER Connection, Routes 972, 973, 974, 978, 979, and the Vintage Trolley (Silver Line).
MTS Access subscription passengers who still want service must call to arrange their transportation.
Friday, 11/ 26: All Trolley lines and MTS urban and local bus routes will operate normal weekday schedules.
Support Services:
MTS Information and Trip Planning- Closed on Thanksgiving Day. On Wednesday, 11/24, this office is modified hours of 5:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
PRONTO Support Center- Closed on Thanksgiving Day. On Wednesday, 11/24, this office is open modified hours of 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The MTS Transit Store, administration offices, and Customer Service call center will be closed on Thanksgiving day, and all services will re-open for normal hours on Friday 11/26
TRANSIT GUIDE TO COMIC-CON FRIDAY 11/26 TO 11/28
Use your phone as your transit pass with PRONTO
PRONTO, the new way to pay for transit, is accepted on all MTS buses and Trolleys. Riders can use the PRONTO app to add money to their phone and ride, or get a PRONTO card for $2 at Trolley ticket machines, or the MTS Transit Store.
A one-way fare on PRONTO is valid for unlimited transfers for two hours. Once you reach the value of a Day Pass ($6 adult), your card or app will stop being charged.
Service will run every 7.5 minutes Friday between San Ysidro and downtown, and every 15 minutes from UTC to downtown. 15-minute service will operate Saturday and Sunday, with late-night service (every 30 minutes) until after 11 p.m. (UTC) or midnight (San Ysidro).
Blue Line passengers can transfer to the Green Line at 12th & Imperial, Santa Fe Depot, or Old Town to get to Gaslamp Quarter and the Convention Center Stations.
Green Line Service: Riders can take the Green Line to Gaslamp Quarter or the Convention Center Stations.
Frequency: Every 15 minutes throughout the day, with added service one hour after the event concludes. Late-night 30-minute service will continue until 10 (Santee) or 11 (SDSU) p.m.
Additionally, all Green Line trains will continue through to Santee on Sunday, November 28, 2021, during event operations.
Frequency: Every 15 minutes between El Cajon and downtown all day, until one hour after the event concludes each day. Late-night 30-minute service from downtown until 11:56 p.m. every night.
Orange Line riders can transfer to the Green Line at 12th & Imperial for service to the Gaslamp Quarter or Convention Center stations.
Park and Ride Stations: MTS offers free parking for transit users at dozens of Trolley stations and transit centers throughout the system. Riders can park their vehicle for the day and take Trolley to and from the event (no overnight parking).
Holiday and Weekend Promotions:
Friends Ride Free Thanksgiving Day 11/25– Every fare paying adult passenger (18+) can bring a guest on board with them for free!
Family Weekends promotion - every fare paying adult can bring two children (12 & under) on board for free Saturdays and Sundays!
MTS continues to operate about 95 bus routes and three Trolley lines. Frequencies and spans have been restored to near-pre-COVID-19 levels. Updated schedules can be accessed on the MTS website. MTS asks that that people wear face coverings at all times and practice physical distancing when possible.
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