Effective Thursday, March 19, 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.
Also 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
On March 16, 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, the following service changes be in 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.
UCSB will still be accessible by bus on Lines 11, 24x and 27. The 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 be operating on normal business hours (6 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends), 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 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 urged to contact MTD with 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
Effective March 19, MTD’s administrative office reception area at 550 Olive St. will be closed to visitors. Customers needing to make bulk pass purchases may do so by appointment only. To arrange for a pass purchase during regular business hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday), 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.