Santa Barbara MTD has announced 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.

Rides are free for the month of May.

Riders order a ride on the TransLoc app, or by calling MTD’s Customer Service Center, 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 Avenue to the east, Cathedral Oaks Road to the north, Los Carneros to the west, and Hwy, 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.

The Wave is currently operating 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and rides can be booked in the moment or up to a week in advance.

The regular one-way fare will be $3. Seniors ages 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.

Learn more about The Wave at https://sbmtd.gov/thewave.