A new midday bus service connecting North County and the South Coast will debut this month, offering free rides throughout April.
The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) Clean Air Express is expanding its offerings with the Midday Connector, providing more frequent and convenient transportation options during the day, SBCAG said.
To introduce the new service and promote transit during Earth Month, community members can enjoy free rides on the Clean Air Express in April on all midday service routes between 7:15 a.m. and 3:24 p.m.
Clean Air Express operates Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays, connecting Santa Maria, Lompoc, Buellton, Goleta and Santa Barbara.
“For the first time, commuters can enjoy easier travel between North County and the South Coast,” said Marjie KIRN, SBCAG executive director. “We’re thrilled to introduce this new midday bus service as a response to commuters requesting more flexible daytime transportation options.”
The Clean Air Express expanded its midday hours as a demonstration service with a soft launch in November, garnering praise from local residents.
“The new midday service is making a real difference for residents,” said Aaron Bonfilio, director of multimodal programs. “After discovering our Buellton stop, one resident with a disability told us the service now allows them to travel independently to Santa Barbara without the need to wake up at dawn.
“We’re excited to see how the more flexible schedule is helping riders run errands, attend appointments, and reach their destinations at times that work best for them. We encourage others to take advantage of this valuable Clean Air Express opportunity.”
After free fares in April, the midday connector will continue as a demonstration service while SBCAG evaluates ridership interest.
The fare for the Midday Connector is $7 one-way with a reduced one-way fare of $3 available for seniors (age 65+), individuals with disabilities, and Medicare recipients.
The Midday Connector is part of SBCAG’s biannual service adjustments for the Clean Air Express, which also include updated schedules and infrastructure improvements at existing stops.
Riders will notice new bus stop signs and informational displays at pickup locations throughout the county.
The Midday Connector demonstration service is funded by Measure A, a half-cent countywide transportation sales tax and the State of California’s Low Carbon Transit Operations Program.
For more about the Midday Connector, visit the Clean Air Express website or the SBCAG website.
The Clean Air Express was created by the Santa Barbara Air Pollution Control District in 1990 as a way to improve regional air quality by reducing the number of commuters driving alone.
Due to the low annual cost and the popularity of the program among residents of North Santa Barbara County, SBCAG assumed management of the service in 2001.