June 30, 2025

Since May 6, 2025, Santa Barbara MTD has been engaged in good faith bargaining with Teamsters Local 186 (Teamsters), which represents MTD’s bus operators, operations supervisors, and maintenance employees. Formal mediation with a state-appointed mediator began last Friday, June 27, 2025.

While mediation is ongoing, Teamsters have strike authorization authority from their members. The current contract expires at midnight today, Monday, June 30, 2025, and MTD has offered a contract extension to avoid disruption while negotiations continue. As of 2:30 p.m. Monday, no extension has yet been agreed to, but MTD is hopeful that continued mediation of the dispute with a state-appointed mediator will be successful.

Should a tentative agreement or extension not be reached by midnight tonight, bus service will not run after midnight. This means no MTD buses or on-demand services would operate as of 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Passengers will need to make alternate transportation plans.

MTD is committed to reaching a fair agreement and wants vital bus service to continue uninterrupted.

June 30, 2025

Since May 6, 2025, Santa Barbara MTD has been engaged in good faith bargaining with Teamsters Local 186 (Teamsters), which represents MTD’s bus operators, operations supervisors, and maintenance employees. Formal mediation with a state-appointed mediator began today, Friday, June 27, 2025.

While an impasse has not been declared, the Teamsters have strike authorization authority from their members. The current contract expires at midnight on Monday, June 30^th, 2025 and MTD has offered a contract extension to avoid disruption while negotiations continue. While no extension has yet been agreed to, MTD is hopeful that continued mediation of the dispute with a state-appointed mediator will be successful.

Additionally, MTD management sent a formal letter to Governor Gavin Newsom today requesting intervention to avert a strike.

If a strike occurs after the conclusion of the current contracts, MTD public transit service will be suspended and passengers will need to make alternate transportation plans. This means no MTD buses or on-demand services would operate as of 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

MTD is committed to reaching a fair agreement and wants vital bus service to continue uninterrupted.

SANTA BARBARA – Santa Barbara MTD held the 11^th Annual Youth Art Poster Contest this spring for Grades 1 through 6 with a theme of “Buses in Space.” This year’s contest saw a record 180 entries which were voted on by MTD employees. This year MTD teamed up with MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration & Innovation, and not only will the winning works of art will be featured inside MTD buses for the next year, they will be included in a summertime art exhibit at MOXI, along with 18 other selected entries.  The exhibit is set to open at the beginning of July.

Participating sites included several South Coast afterschool programs, schools, and libraries. Entries came from the Eastside, Central, Montecito, & Carpinteria Libraries, City of Santa Barbara RAP Program, the Carpinteria & Greater Santa Barbara Girls, Inc., Carpinteria, Westside, & Goleta Boys & Girls Clubs, and Santa Barbara Community Academy.

1^st-3^rd Grade Winners

1^st Place: Elisa Mora, 2^nd Grade, Aliso Elementary 

2^nd Place: Keren Fuentes, Camila Estrada, & Emily Castillo, 3^rd Grade, Aliso Elementary

3^rd Place: Gabriela Munoz-Vargas, 2^nd Grade, Santa Barbara Community Academy

Honorable Mention: Avalon Penniman, 2^nd Grade, Washington Elementary 

4^th-6^th Grade Winners

1^st Place: Sebastian Serrano, 6^th Grade, Peabody Charter School

2^nd Place: Camilla Gonzalez, 6^th Grade, Monte Vista Elementary

3^rd Place: Kevin Carlos Mendoza, 6^th Grade, Adams Elementary 

Honorable Mention Nick Price, 4^th Grade & Evan Reed, 5^th Grade, Adams Elementary

High-resolution images of the artwork and other winners are available upon request

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. – Santa Barbara MTD is announcing the return of the all-electric Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle service to Santa Barbara’s Downtown and Waterfront areas once again for summer 2025.

The return of this service will once again provide transit connections among the harbor and waterfront, Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara Train Depot, the historic County Courthouse, countless hotels, and Downtown shopping and dining destinations, just to name a few. The shuttle serves all ages and abilities, and provides a nice respite with air conditioning on those hot summer days.

Service will operate on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. between May 30, 2025 and September 1, 2025, with a final day of service on Labor Day Monday.

The Shuttle will operate as a circulator route with 20-minute headways, offering frequent service for residents and visitors to enjoy the iconic beauty of Santa Barbara’s Waterfront and Downtown. Riders can catch the shuttle at any MTD stop along the route.

Due to a large portion of State Street downtown being closed to motor vehicles and open to pedestrians, the Downtown portion of the route will operate on Chapala and Anacapa Streets. There is a slight modification in this year’s route near the Santa Barbara Zoo due to upcoming construction at Dwight Murphy Park, but all shuttle stops remain the same.

Also new this year, riders can pay using MTD’s Tap2Ride contactless payment system. Simply tap a smartphone or smart watch with a mobile wallet, or any contactless-enabled bank card. Fares will be $0.50 (standard one-way) and $0.25 for seniors and people with disabilities. The popular $1 day pass will also be available and provides for unlimited rides on the Shuttle in one calendar day. Additionally, riders with a valid Amtrak ticket ride free on the Shuttle or any MTD bus service by showing their train ticket for that day.

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. – Santa Barbara MTD is announcing the return of the all-electric Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle service to Santa Barbara’s Downtown and Waterfront areas once again for summer 2025. After a 4-year hiatus, the service returned temporarily last summer to provide zero-emission access to important Downtown and Waterfront destinations.

The return of this service will once again provide transit connections among the harbor and waterfront, Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara Train Depot, the historic County Courthouse, countless hotels, and Downtown shopping and dining destinations, just to name a few.

Service will operate on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. between May 30, 2025 and September 1, 2025, with a final day of service on Labor Day Monday.

The Shuttle will operate as a circulator route with 20-minute headways, offering frequent service for residents and visitors to enjoy the iconic beauty of Santa Barbara’s Waterfront and Downtown. Riders can catch the shuttle at any MTD stop along the route.

MTD is working with the City of Santa Barbara to reestablish a partnership to fund the Shuttle, after the City Council recently allocated funds for this summer’s service. “We’re excited by the opportunity to partner once again with the City of Santa Barbara to provide public transit service to these vital destinations,” said Jerry Estrada, General Manager.

Due to a large portion of State Street downtown being closed to motor vehicles and open to pedestrians, the Downtown portion of the route will operate on Chapala and Anacapa Streets. There is a slight modification in this year’s route near the Santa Barbara Zoo due to upcoming construction at Dwight Murphy Park, but all shuttle stops remain the same.

Fares will be $0.50 (standard one-way) and $0.25 for seniors and people with disabilities. The popular $1 day pass will also be available and provides for unlimited rides on the Shuttle in one calendar day. Additionally, riders with a valid Amtrak ticket ride free on the Shuttle or any MTD bus service by showing their train ticket for that day.

SANTA BARBARA – Santa Barbara MTD is announcing that a new on-demand microtransit service known as The Wave is now open for business in an area of Goleta and Isla Vista. Microtransit is a flexible, on-demand, curb-to-curb service providing trips between any two points in a specified zone for a flat fare with an accessible van.

Riders order a ride on the TransLoc app, or by calling MTD’s Customer Service Center at 805-963-3366. Much like a rideshare app, the rider will make a ride reservation by selecting their pick-up and drop-off locations within the service zone.

The zone includes an area bounded by Patterson to the east, Cathedral Oaks to the north, Los Carneros to the west, and 101 to the South. The housing and business park areas on either side of Los Carneros south of the freeway are also included. Additionally, specific points at the following locations are available for drop off or pickup: Goleta Amtrak Station, Santa Barbara Airport, UCSB Bus Loop, Elings Hall stop, Isla Vista Community Center, and the El Colegio & Embarcadero del Mar outbound bus stop. The map of the zone can be found here (or attached).

The Wave is currently operating Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and rides can be booked in the moment or up to a week in advance. For the month of May, rides are complimentary. The regular one-way fare will be $3, and seniors over 65 and people with disabilities will pay $1.50. Riders can transfer for free to any MTD fixed route bus within an hour and will be provided a transfer by the driver upon request. Payment will be accepted via cash or contactless payment.

Full details and frequently asked questions about The Wave can be found at https://sbmtd.gov/thewave

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments teams up with Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District and Ventura County Transportation Commission to encourage sustainable travel to the 2025 Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival on April 26 and 27.

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. – Transportation providers across two California coastal counties are working together to offer free rides for Santa Barbara’s Earth Day Festival weekend, set for April 26 and 27. The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) is partnering with the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) and the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) to promote sustainable transportation and encourage festival attendees to go car free by taking advantage of free bus rides all weekend.

Throughout the weekend, the public can ride free on all Santa Barbara MTD buses and routes. Even more, all VCTC Coastal Express routes between Ventura County and Santa Barbara will be free to ride.

“We’re proud to support an exciting partnership between our local transit operators in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties to make the Earth Day festival weekend more accessible and sustainable for our community,” said Marjie KIRN, executive director of SBCAG. “By offering free bus rides to the festival and throughout our community, we’re not only reducing ourenvironmental footprint but also encouraging the use of public transportation as a cleaner, greener option for everyone. We are thrilled to be a part of this collaboration.”

The Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival is produced by the Community Environmental Council and
CarpEvents. The 2025 Festival takes place in the City of Santa Barbara at Alameda Park on April
26 and 27.

“Santa Barbara has always been at the forefront of environmental advocacy, and today, it is
exciting to see that legacy continue through initiatives like free transit to celebrate our Santa
Barbara Earth Day Festival,” said SBCAG Board Chair Randy Rowse, Mayor of Santa Barbara.
“I am proud to support these free fares for the entire weekend, making it easier for residents and
visitors to honor our rich history and participate sustainably in the celebrations.”

Santa Barbara MTD has been a forerunner in battery-electric buses, having run the first batteryelectric
bus fleet in the United States in 1991, and now boasts a fleet that is 23% zero-emission.

“Earth Day weekend is a great opportunity for residents and visitors to give the bus a try—whether
to the Festival, to work, or to the grocery store. Any trip on transit is good for the Earth,” said Jerry
Estrada, MTD’s General Manager.

VCTC shifted to renewable fuel for its bus fleet in 2022, helping to reduce emissions and
contribute to a cleaner transportation system.

“Sustainability has long been a core value at VCTC,” said Executive Director Martin Erickson.
“We are pleased to partner with SBCAG and Santa Barbara MTD and to offer free rides on the
Coastal Express. We encourage those attending the Earth Day Festival and visiting other
destinations to take advantage of public transit.”

The public is also encouraged to explore other sustainable travel options for the festival, including
biking, carpooling and rail. Festival attendees can “plan their visit” on the Santa Barbara Earth
Day website at sbearthday.org/plan-your-visit to come car free by bike, bus, shuttle or train. The
webpage is equipped with SBCAG’s trip planner and carpool matching tool.

Travelers using rail can receive a 20% discount on AMTRAK Surfliner tickets to visit Santa
Barbara. For information about the discount on AMTRAK Surfliner visit SBCAG’s traveler
services webpage at sbcag.org/projects/traveler-services/visit/.

Additionally, the festival will offer a free bike valet service for attendees to park their bikes
conveniently and stress-free.

“Whether it is for a ‘9-to-5’ daily commute or to attend popular community events like the Earth
Day festival, SBCAG is committed to reducing congestion and pollution, and helping people get
where they want to go,” said Aaron Bonfilio, director of multimodal programs for SBCAG.

In addition to the festival’s website resources, the public can view routes and schedules to make
the most of this Earth Day offer on the websites participating transportation providers, Santa
Barbara MTD at sbmtd.gov, VCTC Coastal Express at goventura.org/routes, or by calling (805)
963-SAVE (7283).

The free fare weekend is funded by the State of California’s Low Carbon Transit Operations
Program.

Fin de semana del festival del día de la tierra en Santa Barbara significa viajes GRATIS en transporte público

La Santa Barbara Association of Governments (Asociación de Gobiernos del Condado de Santa Barbara) se une al Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (Distrito Metropolitano de Transporte de Santa Barbara) y a la Ventura County Transportation Commission (Comisión de Transporte del Condado de Ventura) para fomentar los viajes sostenibles al festival del día de la tierra de Santa Barbara 2025 los días 26 y 27 de abril.

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. – Proveedores de transporte de dos condados costeros de California están colaborando para ofrecer viajes gratuitos durante el fin de semana del festival del día de la tierra en Santa Barbara, programado para el 26 y 27 de abril. La Asociación de Gobiernos del Condado de Santa Barbara (SBCAG) se ha asociado con el Santa Barbara MTD y la Comisión de Transporte del Condado de Ventura (VCTC) para promover el transporte sostenible y animar a los asistentes al festival a dejar el auto en casa aprovechando los viajes gratuitos en autobús durante todo el fin de semana.

Durante el fin de semana, el público podrá viajar gratis en todos los autobuses y rutas del MTD de Santa Barbara. Además, todas las rutas Coastal Express de VCTC entre el Condado de Ventura y Santa Barbara serán gratuitas.

“Estamos orgullosos de apoyar una emocionante colaboración entre nuestros operadores de transporte locales en los condados de Santa Barbara y Ventura para hacer que el fin de semana del festival del día de la tierra sea más accesible y sostenible para nuestra comunidad”, dijo Marjie KIRN, directora ejecutiva de SBCAG. “Al ofrecer viajes en autobús gratuitos al festival y dentro de nuestra comunidad, no solo reducimos nuestra huella ambiental, sino que también fomentamos el uso del transporte público como una opción más limpia y ecológica para todos. Estamos encantados de ser parte de esta colaboración.”
El festival del día de la tierra de Santa Barbara es producido por el Community Environmental Council (Consejo Ambiental Comunitario) y CarpEvents. El festival de 2025 se llevará a cabo en la Ciudad de Santa Barbara en Alameda Park los días 26 y 27 de abril.

“Santa Barbara siempre ha estado a la vanguardia de la defensa ambiental, y hoy, es emocionante ver cómo ese legado continúa a través de iniciativas como el transporte gratuito para celebrar nuestro festival del día de la tierra de Santa Barbara”, dijo Randy Rowse, alcalde de Santa Barbara y presidente de la Junta de SBCAG. “Estoy orgulloso de apoyar estas tarifas gratuitas durante todo el fin de semana, facilitando que residentes y visitantes honren nuestra rica historia y participen de manera sostenible en las celebraciones.”

Santa Barbara MTD ha sido pionero en autobuses eléctricos con batería, habiendo operado la primera flota de autobuses eléctricos en los Estados Unidos en 1991, y ahora cuenta con una flota que es 23% de cero emisiones.

“El fin de semana del día de la tierra es una gran oportunidad para que residentes y visitantes prueben el autobús—ya sea al festival, al trabajo o al supermercado. Cualquier viaje en transporte público es bueno para la Tierra,” dijo Jerry Estrada, gerente general de MTD.

VCTC cambió a combustible renovable para su flota de autobuses en 2022, ayudando a reducir las emisiones y contribuir a un sistema de transporte más limpio.

“La sostenibilidad siempre ha sido un valor fundamental en VCTC,” dijo Martin Erickson, director ejecutivo. “Estamos complacidos de asociarnos con SBCAG y Santa Barbara MTD y de ofrecer viajes gratuitos en el Coastal Express. Animamos a quienes asistan al Festival del Día de la Tierra y a otros destinos a aprovechar el transporte público.”

También se anima al público a explorar otras opciones de viaje sostenibles para el festival, como andar en bicicleta, compartir el auto y usar el tren. Los asistentes al festival pueden “planificar su visita” en el sitio web del día de la tierra de Santa Barbara en sbearthday.org/plan-your-visit para llegar sin automóvil en bicicleta, autobús, transporte o tren. La página web cuenta con el planificador de viajes y la herramienta para compartir viajes de SBCAG.

Los viajeros que usen el tren pueden recibir un 20% de descuento en boletos de AMTRAK Surfliner para visitar Santa Barbara. Para información sobre el descuento en AMTRAK Surfliner, visite la página de servicios al viajero de SBCAG en sbcag.org/projects/traveler-services/visit/.

Además, el festival ofrecerá un servicio gratuito de valet para bicicletas para que los asistentes estacionen sus bicicletas de manera cómoda y sin estrés.

“Ya sea para un viaje diario de ‘9 a 5’ o para asistir a eventos comunitarios populares como el festival del día de la tierra, SBCAG está comprometido a reducir la congestión y la contaminación, y a ayudar a las personas a llegar a donde quieren ir,” dijo Aaron Bonfilio, director de programas multimodales de SBCAG.
Además de los recursos en el sitio web del festival, el público puede consultar rutas y horarios para aprovechar al máximo esta oferta del día de la tierra en los sitios web de los proveedores de transporte participantes, Santa Barbara MTD en sbmtd.gov, Coastal Express de VCTC en
goventura.org/routes, o llamando al (805) 963-SAVE (7283).

El fin de semana con tarifa gratuita es financiado por el Programa de Operaciones de Transporte de Bajo Carbono del Estado de California.

SANTA BARBARA – Santa Barbara MTD is hosting a set of public outreach meetings this April, and is inviting the public to take a brief survey giving feedback on proposed service changes to local bus service. These meetings are held annually in the spring to receive input on the proposed changes that would go into effect on August 18, 2025.

Proposed changes for August this year are minimal, with one additional weekday inbound PM peak trip on Line 24x (UCSB Express). Also to be discussed at these meetings, is the launch of The Wave on-demand microtransit service in Goleta and Isla Vista this spring.

In addition to these proposed changes, members of the public can learn more about MTD’s Tap2Ride contactless payment system that allows riders to use bank cards and mobile wallets on smart devices (like Apple Pay and GPay) to pay their bus fare. With a feature known as dynamic fare capping, a rider using Tap2Ride can ensure that they are capped at the cost of a 30 day pass in a 30 day period. Seniors over 65, people with disabilities, and Medicare card holders are now able to enroll to receive discounted fares when using the Tap2Ride system.

MTD invites the public to learn more and to give feedback via an online survey that explains all the proposed changes at www.sbmtd.gov/servicechanges. The survey is available in English and Spanish.

Community meetings will be held at the following locations and times, and Spanish/English interpretation will be provided:

Wednesday, April 9^th at 6:00 p.m.

Goleta Community Center

5679 Hollister Avenue, Goleta

Tuesday, April 15^th at 6:00 p.m.

Central Library, Faulkner Gallery

40 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara

Monday, April 21^st at 12:00 p.m.

Virtual Meeting- Zoom Webinar

Click here to register.

Wednesday, April 23^rd at 6:00 p.m.

Carpinteria Library

5141 Carpinteria Ave, Carpinteria

In addition to the four meetings listed above, a presentation on the proposed changes will be given at the April 22^nd meeting of the Isla Vista Community Services District Board of Directors. The meeting begins at 6:00pm.

For questions on proposed service changes, the public may contact Santa Barbara MTD at 805-963-3364 or email info1@sbmtd.gov.

Attachment: Bilingual flyer

MTD SOLICITARÁ OPINIONES SOBRE LOS CAMBIOS DE SERVICIO PROPUESTOS A TRAVÉS DE REUNIONES PÚBLICAS Y ENCUESTAS EN LÍNEA

SANTA BARBARA – El Santa Bárbara MTD está organizando una serie de reuniones de divulgación pública este abril y está invitando al público a realizar una breve encuesta para dar su opinión sobre los cambios de servicio propuestos para el servicio de autobús local. Estas reuniones se llevan a cabo anualmente en la primavera para recibir aportes sobre los cambios propuestos que entrarían en vigencia el 18 de agosto de 2025.

Los cambios propuestos para agosto de este año son mínimos, con un viaje adicional entre semana en la Línea 24x (UCSB Express) durante la hora punta de la tarde. En estas reuniones también se discutirá el lanzamiento del servicio de microtransporte a pedido The Wave en Goleta e Isla Vista esta primavera.

Además de estos cambios propuestos, el público puede obtener más información sobre el sistema de pago sin contacto Tap2Ride de MTD, que permite a los pasajeros usar tarjetas bancarias y billeteras móviles en dispositivos inteligentes (como Apple Pay y GPay) para pagar su tarifa de autobús. Con una función conocida como límite dinámico de tarifas, un pasajero que utiliza Tap2Ride puede asegurarse de que se le limite el costo de un pase de 30 días en un período de 30 días. Las personas mayores de 65 años, las personas con discapacidad y los titulares de tarjetas de Medicare ahora pueden inscribirse para recibir tarifas con descuento al usar el sistema Tap2Ride.

MTD invita al público a aprender más y dar su opinión a través de una encuesta en línea que explica todos los cambios propuestos en www.sbmtd.gov/servicechanges. La encuesta está disponible en inglés y español.

Las reuniones comunitarias se llevarán a cabo en los siguientes lugares y horarios, y se proporcionará interpretación en español/inglés:

Miércoles 9 de abril a las 18.00 h.

Goleta Community Center

5679 Hollister Avenue, Goleta

Martes 15 de abril a las 18.00 h.

Central Library, Faulkner Gallery

40 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara

Lunes 21 de abril a las 12:00 h.

Reunión virtual: seminario web de Zoom

Haga clic aquí para registrarse.

Miércoles 23 de abril a las 18:00 h.

Carpinteria Library

5141 Carpinteria Ave, Carpinteria

Además de las cuatro reuniones enumeradas anteriormente, se realizará una presentación sobre los cambios propuestos en la reunión del 22 de abril de la Junta Directiva del Distrito de Servicios Comunitarios de Isla Vista. La reunión comienza a las 6:00 pm.

Si tiene preguntas sobre los cambios de servicio propuestos, el público puede comunicarse con Santa Barbara MTD al 805-963-3364 o enviar un correo electrónico a  info@sbmtd.gov.

Adjunto: Folleto bilingüe

The three men are the first to reach this milestone with the agency

     

SANTA BARBARA – On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the Santa Barbara MTD Board of Directors passed resolutions honoring three MTD employees for accomplishing 50 years of service. While others have come close, this is the first time that any MTD employee has reached the 50-year work anniversary milestone.

All three of these employees began their service with MTD in March of 1975, and they have seen the agency and region through major growth and change over the past 5 decades.

Carl Flores began his service with MTD as a Bus Operator, and was promoted to the role of Operations Supervisor in 1986 which he has held ever since. Mr. Flores currently serves as the early morning dispatcher, working to ensure MTD’s service hits the streets in the morning.

Frank Reynoso has served as a Bus Operator for the last 50 years, and has driven an impressive 1.2 million revenue miles during his career. Mr. Reynoso is known and loved by bus riders for his friendly demeanor and commitment to safety.

Jack Graham was first hired as a Bus Operator, a position he held for 34 years. After completing his service driving buses in 2009, Mr. Graham transitioned to serving as a Customer Service Representative which he continues today. Mr. Graham can be found at the Transit Center, assisting bus riders with information and pass sales, always with an energetic and positive demeanor.

The Board of Directors unanimously adopted resolutions in honor of these three outstanding employees, and presented them with a 50-year service pin and plaque honoring their service.

Photo of honorees: (Left to right) General Manager Jerry Estrada, Operations Supervisor Carl Flores, Customer Service Representative Jack Graham, Bus Operator Frank Reynoso, Board Chair Dave Davis

Proposed change comes after 16 years of no increase in fares

     

SANTA BARBARA – Santa Barbara MTD has kicked off a public outreach process seeking input from the public on a proposed adjustment to MTD’s bus fare structure. MTD’s fares have been unchanged for the past 16 years, but rising operational costs have necessitated an update to keep bus service sustainable and dependable in the future.

Operating costs have increased by more than 10 percent since Fiscal Year 2019, and fares only account for roughly 20 percent of MTD’s annual operating budget. The District’s major revenue sources are fares, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) operating assistance, and sales tax. With the FTA classifying Santa Barbara as a large urbanized area (UZA) due to the population growth confirmed by the 2020 Census, MTD is no longer eligible for FTA Small Transit Intensive Cities (STIC) funding of approximately $3.0 million per year, thus eliminating that funding source. In the absence of sufficient funding, MTD would be forced to make cuts to bus service.

In order to generate additional revenue of approximately $1.5 million to help fill that gap, MTD has put together two proposed alternative scenarios, shown in the table below. Alternative 1 consists of a $2.25 cash fare with moderately discounted passes, while Alternative 2 consists of a $2.50 cash fare with a greater discount on passes.

MTD will be hosting several open house style public meetings over the next month to discuss details and take input from community members. These meetings will have English-Spanish interpretation available and will be held as follows:

Wednesday, January 15, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Goleta Valley Community Center 5679 Hollister Avenue, Goleta	Thursday, January 23, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Eastside Library, MLK, Jr. Room 1102 E Montecito Street, Santa Barbara
Saturday, January 25, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Central Library, Faulkner Gallery 40 E Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara	Wednesday, February 5, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Carpinteria Library, Community Room 5141 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria

The outreach and survey period will run through mid-February, and the public is invited to visit https://sbmtd.gov/farechange to review the proposed alternatives and to complete a short survey. The survey is available in English and Spanish, and will also be available in paper form at the Transit Center and onboard MTD buses.

Any fare change would go into effect with MTD’s annual service changes on August 18, 2025.

Attachment: Informational Flyer

Santa Barbara MTD pide al público que opine sobre un cambio propuesto en la estructura de tarifas

El cambio propuesto llega después de 16 años sin aumentos en las tarifas

SANTA BARBARA – El MTD de Santa Bárbara ha iniciado un proceso de divulgación pública en busca de aportes del público sobre un ajuste propuesto a la estructura de tarifas de autobús del MTD. Las tarifas del MTD no han cambiado durante los últimos 16 años, pero el aumento de los costos operativos ha hecho necesaria una actualización para mantener el servicio de autobús sustentable y confiable en el futuro.

Los costos operativos han aumentado más del 10 por ciento desde el año fiscal 2019, y las tarifas solo representan aproximadamente el 20 por ciento del presupuesto operativo anual del MTD. Las principales fuentes de ingresos del Distrito son las tarifas, la asistencia operativa de la Administración Federal de Tránsito (FTA) y el impuesto a las ventas. Dado que la FTA clasifica a Santa Bárbara como una gran área urbanizada (UZA) debido al crecimiento demográfico confirmado por el Censo de 2020, el MTD ya no es elegible para la financiación de la FTA para pequeñas ciudades intensivas en tránsito (STIC) de aproximadamente $3.0 millones por año, eliminando así esa fuente de financiación. En ausencia de fondos suficientes, el MTD se vería obligado a realizar recortes en el servicio de autobuses.

Para generar ingresos adicionales de aproximadamente $1.5 millones para ayudar a llenar ese vacío, MTD ha elaborado dos escenarios alternativos propuestos, que se muestran en la tabla a continuación. La alternativa 1 consiste en una tarifa en efectivo de $2.25 con pases con un descuento moderado, mientras que la alternativa 2 consiste en una tarifa en efectivo de $2.50 con un mayor descuento en los pases.

MTD organizará varias reuniones públicas de puertas abiertas durante el próximo mes para conversar de los detalles y recibir las opiniones de los miembros de la comunidad. Estas reuniones contarán con interpretación en inglés y español y se llevarán a cabo de la siguiente manera:

Miércoles 15 de enero, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Goleta Valley Community Center 5679 Hollister Avenue, Goleta	Jueves 23 de enero, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Eastside Library, MLK, Jr. Room 1102 E Montecito Street, Santa Barbara
Sábado 25 de enero, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Central Library, Faulkner Gallery 40 E Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara	Miércoles 5 de febrero, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Carpinteria Library, Community Room 5141 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria

El período de divulgación y encuesta se extenderá hasta mediados de febrero, y se invita al público a visitar https://sbmtd.gov/farechange para revisar las alternativas propuestas y completar una breve encuesta. La encuesta está disponible en inglés y español, y también estará disponible en formato impreso en el Centro de Tránsito y a bordo de los autobuses de MTD.

Cualquier cambio de tarifa entraría en vigencia junto con los cambios anuales en el servicio de MTD el 18 de agosto de 2025.

Adjunto: Folleto informativo