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Important info to know
Bicycle racks are available on a first come-first served basis. If the bike rack on your bus is full, you must wait for the next bus, or leave (lock) your bike at the bus stop. Bicycles are not allowed inside MTD buses (except folding bikes held by passengers). No motorized bicycles are allowed except lightweight electric bikes with fully enclosed battery packs. Only single-seat, two-wheel bicycles are permitted on the bike racks. Bicycle trailers do not fit on the racks and are not allowed on the bus. Bicycles must fit securely in the rack and cannot obstruct the driver’s view. All accessories that obstruct the driver’s view or the bus headlights must be removed. Children 12 and under must be accompanied and assisted by an adult. One bicycle per passenger.
MTD recommends that you label your bike with ID and contact information. Don’t forget your bike! MTD will charge a $10 handling fee (cash, local check, or money order ONLY) for the return of any bike that is left on the bus.
1
When the bus approaches, signal the driver that you will be loading your bike. Proceed to the front of the bus. Using one hand to hold your bike, squeeze handle up to release latch, then fold down the bike rack.
2
Lift your bike onto the rack, fitting the wheels into the labeled slots.
3
Secure the bike into the appropriate labeled spot.
Raise the support arm up and over the front tire so that the hook rests at the highest point on the front wheel.
4
Board the bus and take a seat, preferably within view of your bicycle.
5
As you get off the bus, let the driver know that you will be unloading your bicycle. Raise the support arm off the tire and lift your bike out of the rack. If the rack is empty, please return it to the upright position.
Serial numbers of unclaimed bikes are shared with law enforcement.The bikes are held for 90 days, and are then donated to local non-profit Bici Centro.
Easy Lift
Paratransit Service
Clean Air Express
Service to Santa Maria and Lompoc
Santa Barbara Airbus
Bus service to and from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Amtrak
Ride MTD for FREE with a valid Pacific Surfliner ticket!
Santa Barbara Trolley
Narrated trolley tours in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Car Free
Encourages car-free transportation in Santa Barbara
COAST
Advocates for transportation options
VCTC Coastal Express
Service between Ventura and Santa Barbara
Bill’s Bus
Late evening transportation between Isla Vista and downtown Santa Barbara
Greyhound
Intercity bus transportation
Santa Barbara Airport
Traffic Solutions
Encourages the use of alternative transportation
Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition
Promotes bicycling as transportation
- Arrive at the bus stop a few minutes before the bus is scheduled to depart.
- Have your fare ready before the bus arrives and save time by using passes, tokens, or coins to pay your fare whenever possible.
- Stand back from the curb and keep children away from the curb while waiting for the bus to arrive. Do not allow children to run into the path of the bus or other passengers.
- If the approaching bus is the one you want, clearly flag the driver so that he or she knows to stop – standing safely in open view and give a friendly wave or nod. If the approaching bus is NOT the bus you want and you’re the only one at the bus stop, signal the driver to keep going.
- Please be extremely careful in wet weather as you approach, enter, and exit the bus.
- Do not run after the bus if it is departing the stop. You could slip and injure yourself. If the bus has begun its departure, the driver cannot stop in the traffic lane to board passengers. At the Transit Center, the bus cannot board passengers after it has crossed the red line.
- Board and exit the bus in an orderly manner, using the handrails for safety. Assist small children on and off the bus.
- Take a seat as quickly as possible (one seat per person and please keep your feet off the seats). Keep children safe and seated when possible while on the bus.
- Please observe priority seating for passengers who are elderly or passengers with disabilities.
- Remain seated while the bus is moving. Do not sit in the aisle or in the luggage area.
- Stay behind the line on the floor behind the driver at all times.
- Signal that you want to get off by pulling the cord. Remain seated until the bus stops. Exit through the rear door if it is safe to do so.
- After exiting the bus, cross the street at the nearest intersection or marked crosswalk. Do not walk in front of the bus to cross the street unless the bus is stopped at a stop sign or a red light. Watch for traffic under all circumstances. Never run in front of the bus for any reason.
- Never interfere with the driver’s ability to drive safely.
- No smoking or using electronic cigarettes on the bus, at the Transit Center, or within 20 feet of any bus stop.
- No use of matches or lighters on the bus.
- No eating or drinking on the bus. Exceptions may be made for medical conditions.
- No pushing, shoving or fighting.
- No profanity. No threatening language or gestures.
- No spitting or throwing any objects inside or out of the bus.
- No hanging of any body parts or other items outside the bus window.
- No vandalism.
- No combustibles such as fireworks, gasoline, car batteries, paint, etc. on the bus.
- Shirts, shoes, & good hygiene are required in buses and in the Transit Center. No personal grooming on the bus.
- No use of audio devices except with headphones.
- All carts designed to hold items are required to be folded and stored out of the aisle. Items within the carts are to be removed and stored out of the aisle.
- Keep the volume of your conversations low, including when talking on a cell phone.
- Personal belongings must be stowed out of the aisle. Storage racks may be available.
- Articles that are leaking or emitting offensive odors (such as bags of recyclables) are not allowed on the bus.
- Strollers must be folded and stowed out of the aisle and babies must be held securely.
- Bicycles are not allowed inside the bus (except a folding bike held by the passenger).
- Surfboards under 6 ft are allowed in all buses.
- Skateboards must be held or placed on the floor out of the aisle with the wheels up.
- E-scooters and hoverboards are prohibited. Non-motorized scooters are allowed, but must fold.
- Trained service animals must be under the control of their owner at all times and either sit on the floor out of the aisle or be held on the passenger’s lap.
- Small animals in approved carriers may be brought on board.
Violation of these rules may result in refusal of service. These rules are not all-inclusive, and a change in rules may occur at any time. MTD reserves the right to prohibit any behavior or actions which we feel may be inappropriate or unsafe. In general, be observant, alert, watchful and aware. If something doesn’t look quite right, alert your driver and/or report it to the authorities at 911. Take the initiative and become the community’s transit eyes and ears. We can all count on a safe ride if we look out for each other!
Transit center
The Transit Center is the hub of the MTD system and is located at 1020 Chapala Street in downtown Santa Barbara. More than 10,000 passengers use this facility every day. Customer service representatives provide detailed trip planning services.
SERVICES
- Ticket vending machines
- Change machines & bill breakers
- Bus tokens and bus passes
- Route information
- Trip planning
- Bus stop information
- Accessible service information
- Lost & found
- Free Schedule Guides
- Sheltered waiting area
- Passenger restrooms
PHONE
805.963.3366
HOURS
- Weekdays: 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Sundays: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Services
LOST & FOUND
Items of value (cell phones, wallets, etc.) that are turned in to Lost and Found at MTD will be forwarded to the Santa Barbara Police Department. Clothing and other items are held at MTD for 4 days, after which they will be donated to charity. Perishable or offensive items are not held.
EMERGENCY RIDE HOME
How to get home free!
If you ride the bus to work at least once a week, you’re eligible for the Traffic Solutions Emergency Ride Home Program. It’s an incentive provided by Traffic Solutions to encourage you to take the bus to work — without fear of being stranded.
To qualify for the Emergency Ride Home Program, log your commute trips on SmartRide. If you have an emergency and need to get home right away, call a taxi or the car rental company of your choice. Pay for your ride home and get a receipt, then email us at info@trafficsolutions.info to request a reimbursement form. Return your completed form and a copy of your receipt and we’ll mail you a reimbursement check for up to $55.
Visit Traffic Solutions Emergency Ride Home Program (or call 963-SAVE) for more information.