Go Public! Taking public transportation can get you out of a traffic snarl, save money on gas, help the environment, and ease the stress of your daily commute – all while reducing congestion on our roadways.
Plan your trip today using 511’s Transit Trip Planner.
Log your trips. Track your savings. Get more green. If you use transit, you can track the savings to your wallet and the environment with TripTracker. TripTracker allows you to instantly see your cost and environmental savings.
By going green you can actually get green. The more you log your trips with TripTracker, the more your savings will add up. Plus, iCommute now holds monthly prize drawings for commuters who use more sustainable ways of getting to work or school. Anyone who takes transit, carpools, vanpools, walks, bikes, rides a motorcycle or scooter, telecommutes, or has a compressed workweek schedule and tracks at least eight trips per month is eligible. Learn more.
The San Diego region is served by two major transit agencies, the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and the North County Transit District (NCTD). Together, MTS and NCTD carry more than 90 million passengers annually. Your transit pass is on a Compass Card, the latest in smart card technology.
You can now buy or reload your Compass Card at Albertsons stores throughout San Diego County. You can also buy Adult, full fare Compass Cards online and at Ticket Vending Machines at TROLLEY, COASTER, and SPRINTER stations. Both full fare and reduced fare Senior, Disabled, Medicare, and Youth Compass Cards can be purchased and reloaded at the MTS Transit Store, NCTD Customer Service Centers, or select community outlets. For details or more options visit 511sd.com/compass.
Remember to always tap your Compass Card on a validator before you board the COASTER, TROLLEY, or SPRINTER, or tap on the farebox as you board the bus. Tapping your card keeps it current and tells the fare inspector or conductor you have a valid pass.
MTS runs three Trolley lines and an extensive express and local bus system. More information is available at www.511sd.com or on the MTS Web site at www.sdmts.com.
The Blue, Orange, and Green lines serve 53 stations and 53.5 total miles.
I-15 Express Bus. Five MTS Commuter Express bus routes (810, 820, 850, 860, and 880) use the I-15 Express Lanes to transport riders from North County locations to their destinations in downtown San Diego and Sorrento Mesa. Transit stations and Park & Ride lots are located along I-15 and connected to the Express Lanes via direct access ramps. These direct access ramps allow Express buses, carpoolers, and I-15 FasTrak customers to bypass general lanes and enter directly onto the Express Lanes.
By taking MTS’ Premium Bus three or more times each week, you also can take advantage of the Guaranteed Ride Home program, ensuring that you’ll always be able to get home when you need to.
The NCTD service area covers 1,020 square miles of northern San Diego County. NCTD runs two rail lines and one bus system: the COASTER, SPRINTER, and BREEZE.
The COASTER rail line connects north San Diego County with downtown San Diego six days a week via stations in Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Sorrento Valley, Old Town, and downtown San Diego.
By taking NCTD’s COASTER train three or more times each week, you also can take advantage of the free Guaranteed Ride Home program, ensuring that you’ll always be able to get home when you need to.
The SPRINTER rail line runs 22 miles from Oceanside to Escondido, transporting passengers to work, school, shopping centers, and other activities via one of its 15 stations.
NCTD's BREEZE buses stop at or near major regional attractions and have stops at many of north San Diego County's beaches.
More information is available at www.511sd.com or on the NCTD Web site at www.gonctd.com.
Metrolink. Connect from San Diego to Orange, LA and Riverside Counties at the Oceanside Transit station. For schedules, fares and routes: http://www.metrolinktrains.com/
Amtrak. Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner serves coastal San Diego County, stopping at Oceanside, Solana Beach, and the downtown Santa Fe depot. For schedules, fares, and routes: http://www.amtrakcalifornia.com/rail/go/amtrak/routes/pacific_surfliner/index.cfm
Transit Trip Planner
TripTracker
MTS
NCTD
First and Last Mile Solutions
Guaranteed Ride Home