Passengers should be prepared as MTS is changing schedules on 26 different bus routes
San Diego, Calif.: Speed, efficiency and reliability are primary motives behind 26 bus route scheduling changes being made by the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) on Sunday, June 10. The changes are part of the agency’s Transit Optimization Plan (TOP).
“The changes happening Sunday are the second phase of TOP, a plan that improves speed of service and better meets the market’s demand,” said MTS CEO Paul Jablonski. “People asked for better bus frequency. We are providing it.”
In January, MTS implemented the first phase of TOP scheduling changes, which included increased frequency on six routes. MTS is allocating an additional $2 million to fund the expanded service that will be paid partially by SB 1 gas tax funds.
The public can view all changes happening on Sunday online at sdmts.com/TOP. Key changes happening Sunday to some of the busiest routes in the MTS bus system include:
Route 7 (Downtown San Diego, Balboa Park, North Park, City Heights, Redwood Village):
Schedule is increased to operate every 10 minutes in both directions (instead of every 6 or 12 minutes, depending on direction)
Route 12 (East Village, Barrio Logan, Southcrest, Skyline Hills):
Saturday frequency increased from 30 minutes to 20 minutes
Route 13 (National City, Lincoln Park, Chollas View, City Heights, Grantville, Allied Gardens):
Weekday frequency is increased from 15 minutes to 12 minutes. Morning and evening service added between 24th Street Transit Center and Euclid Transit Center
Route 833 (El Cajon, Santee):
Early morning trips added
Route 852 (Redwood Village, Rolando, La Mesa, Grossmont):
New route that operates every 30 minutes, 7 days per week
Route 962 (National City, Paradise Hills, Bay Terraces, Spring Valley):
Service increased to every 15 minutes on weekdays and 30 minutes on weekends
Passengers are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and be ready for the changes happening Sunday. Here are ways MTS suggests passengers prepare:
MTS website: All the bus route changes can be found at: www.sdmts.com
OneBusAway: The OneBusAway app has real-time arrival information with up-to-date scheduling
Call MTS: Passengers can call the MTS Information and Trip Planning office at 619-233-3004 for basic information on our system and personal trip planning:
The call center will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the weekend and 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Take One: MTS has issued purple “Take One” flyers on all buses and Trolley that outline all the changes happening on Sunday
Transit Optimization background:
Among the goals of TOP was to create a network of services that would attract more riders to the system and to reverse a two-year decline in ridership and fare revenue.
The TOP process included nearly 6,000 surveys, more than 50 outreach events across the region and a public hearing. Using rider input in conjunction with system performance data and ridership patterns, proposals were made for adjustments to over 60% of MTS’ bus services.
On September 21, 2017, the MTS Board of Directors unanimously approved changes to the MTS bus network, adding $2 million in new service. The changes added significantly to the network of high-frequency services (15 minutes or better), as well as shortened some travel times. The first phase of TOP was implemented on January 28, the second phase happens Sunday, and the third phase is scheduled to be implemented in September.
MTS operates 95 bus routes and three Trolley lines on 53 miles of double-tracked railway. Every weekday 300,000 passenger trips are taken on MTS bus and Trolley services in 10 cities and the county. In FY 2017, MTS served more than 88 million riders. For more information on how you can use public transportation and save money, go to www.sdmts.com.
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