MTS Access Services
The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates a fixed route bus and light rail system using ramp or lift equipped vehicles in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We also operate a complementary paratransit division, MTS Access, for those riders who have been certified as unable to use fixed route service.
MTS Access provides complementary paratransit service that is comparable to the level of MTS fixed route service. This is offered within a ¾ mile radius of a nearby bus route and/or trolley station.
MTS Access service is available during the same hours and days, including on holidays, as the MTS fixed route system. If riders can take a particular trip between two points on MTS fixed route system at a specific time of day, the same trip is available on complementary paratransit. The MTS Access service area, therefore, may change by time of day and day of week when certain fixed routes are not in service.
For example, if a bus route runs from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m., MTS provides complementary paratransit service, at minimum, from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. corresponding to that route. A rider’s pick-up time for paratransit is also dictated by the fixed route hours. For example, if the earliest time a rider could depart from a particular fixed route stop is at 6:45 a.m., MTS Access trips could be provided starting at 6:45 a.m. If MTS runs fixed route service on weekends and holidays, it must provide MTS Access service on those days/hours as well. On board times for MTS Access will also be comparable to taking the same trip on fixed route.
Please note that the MTS Access service area will always complement the fixed route bus and trolley routes/times. The MTS Access service area and hours may contract or expand as service changes are made to the MTS fixed route bus and trolley operations. If schedule or route changes are made to an existing bus or trolley line, the MTS Access Service Area will be modified accordingly.
MTS offers several types of vehicles including minivans and smaller buses. MTS has also contracted with a local taxi provider to provide some trips under contract and supervised by MTS. MTS Access is a shared ride service. Other passengers may be picked-up and dropped-off during your trip.
If you reside outside the MTS ADA service area, your service is restricted to trip origins and destinations within our ADA service area. If your home address is outside the ADA service area, you may still receive paratransit service by selecting a pick-up or drop-off location within our service area. In this scenario, the passenger will be required to transport themselves to/from a location within the service area.
To use MTS Access services, a passenger must first be certified. You can call MTS Access paratransit service at (888) 517-9627 to determine if a trip is within the ADA service area. MTS suggests that all prospective passengers determine if the locations of their trip’s origin and trip destination are within the MTS service area before beginning the certification process.
Reservations
Once certified to ride, schedule your trip by either:
1. Calling 1-888-517-9627 or 1-800-921-9664 any day between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (TTY/TDD: 1-800-568-7097); or
2. MTS EZ Access - MTS EZ Access offers riders the ability to schedule, modify and cancel trips online. Riders are also able to book trips 24/7 using the app. Riders must first go to access.sdmts.com to register to use the website. Apps are available in the iOS and Android App stores under MTS EZ Access. This app allows riders to track their ride in real time.
Reservations are accepted from ten (10) days in advance until 5 p.m. the day before travel. Please be ready to provide us with the certified passenger’s name, pick-up address, when they would like to travel, the destination address, and if/when to book a return trip. On occasion, our reservation agents may not be able to immediately provide a pick-up window for your trip. However, you will be guaranteed a trip to begin no more than one (1) hour before or one (1) hour after your original requested departure time. You will receive notification by 5 p.m. the day prior to your ride with your pick-up window time. MTS Access does not provide same-day trips.
Reservations may be booked in one (1) of the following formats below:
- Pick-up time based
Your reserved pick-up time will be within one (1) hour of your requested pick-up time. For example, if you request an 8:00 am pick-up, your trip offer will be between 7:00 and 9:00 am. Your arrival time will depend on your trip pick-up time, other passenger’s pick-ups and drop offs, and the varying amount of time it may take to travel to your destination. Please calculate sufficient riding time since trip lengths are comparable to fixed route travel times. You will be provided with a 30-minute window in which your ride will arrive to pick you up. - Appointment time based
You must inform the reservationist at time of booking that you wish to make an appointment-based reservation. Your scheduled drop off time will be between 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment until your scheduled appointment time. For example, if you have a 9:00 am appointment, your drop off window will be between 8:30 and 9:00 am. You will be provided with a 30-minute window in which your ride will arrive to pick you up.
You cannot request both a set pick-up and drop-off time. Since trip prioritization is prohibited by federal law, all trips (e.g. medical appointments, school schedules, work schedules, personal appointments, etc.) have equal priority in the MTS Access reservation system.
Passengers using service animals or traveling with a respirator or portable oxygen supply are welcome on MTS Access. Please advise MTS of any of these situations at the time you make your reservation.
Service Map Area
Fares and Ticket Sales
One-Way Fare....................................................................$5.00
To make fare payment easier, you may purchase 10-pack ticket books for $50 each in advance.
- In-Person: Visit the Transit Store, 12th & Imperial Transit Center, M–F 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Cash, checks, money orders, traveler’s checks, Visa and MasterCard credit cards accepted.
- By Phone: 619-595-5636 Monday–Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., and pay with a credit or debit card.
- Online: Tickets can also be purchased online
- By Mail: Please send a check or money order for the amount of booklets you would like, payable to MTS, at:
Transit Store
MTS Access Ticket Sales
1255 Imperial Ave, Ste. 100A
San Diego, CA 92101
MTS Access prepaid tickets are only valid on the MTS Access service. MTS Access tickets cannot be used as valid fare or to transfer to MTS fixed routes.
Family Weekends: On Saturdays and Sundays up to two children (age 12 and under) may ride free with a fare-paying adult (age 18 or older) on all MTS routes.
Children five years of age or younger may ride free with a fare-paying adult. While a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) may travel without paying a fare, at least one passenger must always pay a full fare. A fare must be paid when an adult or guardian is traveling as the non-paying child’s PCA. Likewise, two passengers cannot claim each other as Personal Care Attendants to avoid fare payment.
Youth Opportunity Pass Program: All riders 18 & under will be able to ride MTS and North County Transit District (NCTD) services for FREE with a Youth PRONTO app account, or a Youth PRONTO card. The Youth Opportunity Pass is a pilot program, sponsored by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and County of San Diego, through June 30, 2026.
To be eligible for the Youth Opportunity Pass, riders 18 & under must have a Youth PRONTO app account, or a PRONTO Youth card, and travel with proof of eligibility. (Kids 5 & under ride MTS and NCTD free at all times, and don’t need a card or proof of eligibility.) Get more information about the Youth Opportunity Pass here.
Subject to change.
Transfers to NCTD LIFT
If you plan a trip into the northern area of San Diego County, the trip will need to be booked with the North County Transit District (NCTD). NCTD has its own complementary paratransit system known as NCTD LIFT; their reservation phone number is (760) 726-1111. At the direction of the passenger, you may be dropped off and left unattended at a designated transfer point before your scheduled pick up time with the other service or you may remain in the vehicle.