Face Coverings Optional
Face coverings on board MTS vehicles will be optional. Public health officials still strongly recommend riders use face coverings in public transportation settings, but face masks are no longer required.
Keeping Our Riders Safe
Things may be a little different at MTS these days, but we’re committed to keeping our riders and employees safe while providing essential service to San Diego.
How to Stay Safe On-Board
- Face Coverings – Face coverings on board MTS vehicles will be optional. Public health officials still strongly recommend riders use face coverings in public transportation settings, but face masks are no longer required. Remember – when wearing a facial covering, it should cover your nose and mouth for the entire trip! (Riders should still practice covering their mouth when they sneeze or cough as well, even with a face mask on.)
- Social Distancing – While on board or at a stop/station, be sure to keep 6 feet away from others, whenever possible. Pick a seat that leaves as much distance between you and other passengers. We've increased our service levels to help keep adequate space for social distancing.
- Germ Barriers – We’ve installed germ barriers to protect our bus operators. These barriers allow us to resume front door boarding and open up the front of vehicles to give passengers more space to spread out while on board.
- No-Contact Fares – Use the PRONTO app to get your one-way fares, day passes and month passes.
- Hand Sanitizer – If you’re able, we recommend using hand sanitizer before and after touching any shared surface. Hand washing stations are available at all Trolley stops for passenger use as well.
MTS Cleaning Procedures
MTS' dedicated team of facilities personnel work daily help keep our vehicles and stations clean for passenger use. Learn about MTS' efforts to help keep the system, riders and employees safe through daily and weekly cleaning practices, and how you can report a sanitary concern.
Station and Vehicle Cleaning
Beginning in 2017, MTS started using a more powerful cleaning solutions for its entire Trolley fleet, which continues to this day. In 2020, those stronger disinfectants also began being used on buses.
- All MTS vehicles are cleaned daily, with additional deep cleanings using bleach to disinfect, and other solutions recommended by CDC.
- Disinfectant is used to wipe down exposed surfaces nightly to help eliminate germs. This includes commonly touched areas like hand rails, seats and more.
- Maintenance teams sweep, dust & spot mop nightly. Trolleys are often wiped down mid-day as well.
- Each Trolley Station is cleaned twice a day by our facilities teams, wiping down high-touch areas like ticket machines, emptying trash and more. Deep cleanings are also scheduled for each station on a weekly basis. This includes power washing floors, canopies, railing, benches, kiosk signs, disinfecting trash cans and more. (Check out the video below.)
- MTS, its contractors and community partners are also responsible for the maintenance of 4,300 bus stops throughout our service area. All bus stops are cleaned at least once per week, with our higher frequented stops cleaned twice per week.
- If you ever see a bus stop, Trolley station or Trolley vehicle that needs immediate attention (e.g. graffiti, broken glass, sanitary issues), please note the stop ID or vehicle number and a description of the maintenance issue and contact Customer Service (weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) For urgent maintenance requests during evening and weekend hours, contact Security Dispatch for Trolley issues (619-595-4960), or notify the bus operator (who will notify a road supervisor).
- For overflow of trash issues at MTS bus stops, please contact Waste Management or the appropriate city directly.
Rider Safety and Guidelines
In an effort to help protect riders, hand washing units have been placed at all 53 Trolley stations, plus the UTC Transit Center. Public health notices are posted on vehicles and at Trolley stations, reminding passengers of best hygiene practices. Riders who prefer to use contactless fares can access one-way fares, Day Passes and Month Passes on the PRONTO app.
As always, MTS passengers also rely on each other to Respect the Ride and practice best etiquette on board. When riding MTS, be sure to practice common sense hygiene. If you are showing signs of illness, do not ride.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Let us know!
If a route is consistently too crowded for adequate social distancing, let us know! You can also let us know if you see something that needs cleaning beyond our usual scope, or urgent attention.