The all-electric Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle service to Santa Barbara’s Downtown and Waterfront areas starts up again on Friday for the summer, Santa Barbara MTD has announced.
“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,” MTD said.
The shuttle serves all ages and abilities, and provides air conditioning on hot summer days.
Service will operate on 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 30-Sept. 1, with a final day of service on Labor Day Monday.
The shuttle will run as a circulator route with 20-minute headways. Riders can catch the shuttle at any MTD stop along the route.
Because a large part of State Street downtown is closed to motor vehicles and open to pedestrians, the downtown portion of the shuttle route will operate on Chapala and Anacapa streets.
Also, due to upcoming construction at Dwight Murphy Park, there is a slight modification in this year’s route near the Santa Barbara Zoo, but all shuttle stops remain the same.
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 50 cents (standard one-way) and 25 cents 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.