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San Diego – With sellout crowds anticipated all season long, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and San Diego Padres want to remind fans to go the easy way to Petco Park by riding transit on gamedays. MTS will be ramping up Trolley service before and after games to accommodate the large crowds.
“Seeing thousands of Friar Faithful riding MTS in their Padres brown and gold colors is a testament to the reliability and convenience the Trolley provides on gamedays and throughout the year,” said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Chair and San Diego City Councilmember. “We want more fans to know transit is the quick, easy, and affordable way to attend Padres games this season.”
In an effort to encourage even more fans than before to ride transit all season long, MTS and the Padres unveiled a new Trolley wrap featuring key Padres players that promotes taking transit to Petco Park on gamedays.
Taking transit to Padres games is part of a tradition for many fans, and part of the gameday experience. That’s why MTS will offer enhanced service to and from Petco Park throughout Opening Weekend. Trolleys will serve all stations at least every 15 minutes or better pre- and post-game and drop fans off just a short walk from Petco Park.
Last season, an average of 7,000 fans took the Trolley to Padres games on sellout gamedays.
Getting to Padres Opening Day/Weekend
Pre-event Service – Thursday, March 28, to Wednesday, April 3
- All Three Trolley Lines: Regular service to the 12th & Imperial Transit Center prior to the game, with Trolleys picking up fans at all stations every 15 minutes or better and dropping fans off steps away from Petco Park.
Post-event Service – Thursday, March 28, and Wednesday, April 3, 1:10 p.m. game
- Green Line and Orange Line: Trolleys will depart every 15 minutes or better until 45 minutes after the game ends, with additional trips as needed.
- UC San Diego Blue Line: Trolleys will depart every 7.5 minutes to San Ysidro and every 15 minutes to UTC until 45 minutes after the game ends.
Post-event Service – Friday, March 29, Monday, April 1, and Tuesday, April 2, 6:40 p.m. game
- Green Line and Orange Line: Trolleys will depart every 15 minutes until 30-45 minutes after the game ends, with additional trips as needed.
- UC San Diego Blue Line: Trolleys will depart every 15 minutes until 45 minutes after the game ends.
Post Event Service – Saturday, March 30, 4:15 p.m. game
- Green Line and Orange Line: Trolleys will depart every 15 minutes until 30-45 minutes after the game ends, with additional trips as needed.
- UC San Diego Blue Line: Trolleys will depart every 15 minutes until 11:37 p.m., with additional trips as needed.
Post Event Service – Sunday, March 31, 1:10 p.m. game
- UC San Diego Blue Line and Orange Line: Trolleys will depart every 15 minutes until 30-45 minutes after the game ends.
- Green Line: Trolleys will provide regular service, with additional trips as needed.
To help expedite the boarding process, fans should download the PRONTO app in advance. Load at least $5 on your virtual card, which covers a round-trip fare for adult riders. Every person needs their own PRONTO app or card, you cannot buy fares for multiple people on the same device. Tap or scan on the station validators to activate your pass prior to boarding. If you have a PRONTO card, you can load your card in advance online at ridepronto.com.
Kids ride free! Families going to weekend games can save big by taking MTS. During weekends, two children 12 and under ride for free, no pass required, with every paying adult. Youth ages 18 and under with a registered Youth PRONTO card or app account can ride free with the Youth Opportunity Pass.
Free Park & Ride Lots
Fans are encouraged to use MTS’ free Park & Ride lots throughout the Trolley system. View the full list of Park & Ride lots on the MTS website. The most convenient locations are:
- Old Town Transit Center (400+ free parking spots)
- Grossmont Transit Center (220 free parking spots)
- El Cajon Transit Center (400+ free parking spots)
- Amaya Drive (236 free parking spots)
- H Street (295 free parking spots)
- Balboa Avenue Transit Center (227 free parking spots)
- Tecolote Station (279 free parking spots)
About MTS
The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates 97 bus routes and three Trolley lines in 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego. MTS is a leader in advancing initiatives to create a greener, cleaner and better-connected transit system in San Diego. Each weekday more than 250,000 passenger trips are taken throughout the MTS system taking people to work, school, health appointments and other essential trips. In FY 2023, MTS served more than 68 million riders. For service schedule updates, news, alerts and more information on how you can use public transportation, go to www.sdmts.com.
