SANTA BARBARA—Effective Thursday, March 19, 2020, Santa Barbara MTD will be lowering service levels on several lines associated with area educational institutions, in light of these schools ceasing campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally on Thursday, all MTD fixed-route bus service will be provided free of charge until further notice. Passengers without disabilities will be directed to use the rear door of the vehicle for boarding and alighting to minimize contact with bus operators at the front door and farebox area. Passengers using mobility devices or who need the ramp will be allowed to board and alight from the front door of the vehicle.
As described below, Transit Center Customer Service functions will be changing, as will public access to the MTD Administrative Offices.
Service Reduction
Earlier this week on Monday, March 16, 2020, all booster services to Junior Highs and High Schools were cancelled. This cancellation will continue until further notice.
Beginning the morning of Thursday, March 19, 2020, the following service changes will go into effect, until further notice:
No Line 15x (SBCC/UCSB Express) Service
No Line 16 (SBCC Shuttle) Service
No Line 28 (UCSB Shuttle) Service
Line 27 (Isla Vista Shuttle) will operate on the “UCSB out” alternate schedule as published in the schedule guide
No booster service to Junior Highs, High Schools, or Alpha Resource Center
This service level mimics the service level provided during Spring Break, when SBCC, UCSB, and Santa Barbara Unified School District are all closed.
UC Santa Barbara will still be accessible by bus on Lines 11, 24x, and 27. The Santa Barbara City College area will still be accessible by bus on Lines 4, 5, and 17.
Passengers with questions about schedules and affected routes can call (805) 963-3366 for assistance.
Transit Center Customer Service
Transit Center facilities will still be operating on normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 6am to 7pm, and weekends, 9am to 5pm), but no walk-up sales or person-to-person transactions of any kind will be available; however, the two Ticket Vending Machines at the Transit Center will still be operational and accept cash, debit and credit cards. The public may still ask questions through the window or call (805) 963-3366.
In addition to help over the phone, the public is encouraged to contact MTD with any questions or concerns via the sbmtd.gov website, by emailing info@sbmtd.gov, or through the agency’s Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter accounts, all @santabarbaramtd.
MTD Administrative Offices
Additionally, effective March 19, 2020, MTD’s administrative office reception area at 550 Olive Street will be closed to visitors. Customers needing to make bulk pass purchases may do so upon appointment only. To arrange for a pass purchase during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm), please call (805) 963-3364.
The public is reminded to stay home if they are sick, follow proper health hygiene practices, and maintain appropriate social distance on buses, at the Transit Center, and at bus stops.