Getting Around San Diego Public Transportation, Senior Services and Rideshare
Summary
The video explores the three trolley lines in San Diego: the Blue Line (from UTC to the US-Mexico border), the Orange Line (to El Cajon), and the Green Line (from Santee to downtown San Diego). It also covers MTS buses, MTS Rapid, and MTS Rural services, as well as the Coaster train, Sprinter light rail, and Breeze bus in North County.
Other transportation options discussed include the Old Town Trolley Tours, the free downtown ride service called FRED, the Coronado Ferry, rental bikes and scooters, and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. The host also touches on parking in downtown San Diego, the Santa Fe Depot Amtrak station, the San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal, and the Greyhound bus station.
Throughout the video, the host visits various locations in San Diego, including Petco Park for the Padres' opening day game, Seaport Village, and the Embarcadero. He tries local food and drinks, such as a cucumber michelada and a hot chicken sandwich.
In conclusion, while public transportation is available, the host recommends renting a car to fully explore San Diego County, as relying on public transit can be slow and sometimes prone to delays.
MTS and Pronto Card
Key points about MTS and the Pronto card:
- The Pronto card costs $2 and can be purchased at any trolley station ticket machine or at select transit centers.
- Riders can load money or day passes onto their Pronto card. A one-way fare is $2.50, while a day pass costs $6.
- The Pronto card can be used on all MTS buses and trolleys, as well as on North County Transit District (NCTD) services.
- Riders tap their Pronto card on the card reader when boarding a bus or trolley and must tap again when transferring to another vehicle within two hours.
- The Pronto app allows users to manage their card balance, plan trips, and access real-time transit information.
- Reduced fares are available for seniors, disabled riders, and Medicare recipients. As of May 1, 2022, riders 18 and under can ride MTS services for free with a Youth Opportunity Pass.
- On certain holidays, MTS offers a "Friends Ride Free" promotion, where a paying rider can bring a friend for free.
Pronto Details
Pronto Card:
1. The card costs $2 and can be purchased at any MTS ticket machine, online, or at select retail outlets.
2. Riders can load money or day passes onto the card. A one-way fare is $2.50, and a day pass costs $6.
3. To use the card, riders simply tap it on the card reader when boarding a bus or trolley. They must tap again when transferring to another vehicle within two hours.
4. The card automatically deducts the appropriate fare for each trip, and riders can view their balance and transaction history online or through the Pronto app.
Pronto App:
1. The Pronto app is a free mobile application available for iOS and Android devices.
2. Users can manage their Pronto card through the app, including checking their balance, adding funds, and purchasing passes.
3. The app also features a trip planner that helps riders navigate the MTS system. Users can enter their starting point and destination, and the app will provide the best route options using buses and trolleys.
4. Real-time transit information is available through the app, allowing riders to track the location of their bus or trolley and view estimated arrival times.
5. The app also includes a virtual Pronto card, which can be used to pay fares directly from a smartphone. However, riders must still have a physical Pronto card to use the tap-and-go feature on buses and trolleys.
Overall, the Pronto card and app work together to provide a seamless and user-friendly way for riders to pay fares and navigate the MTS system. The app's trip planning and real-time information features are particularly useful for visitors and infrequent riders who may not be familiar with the routes and schedules.
Trolley Lines
- Blue Line:
- Runs from the San Ysidro Transit Center at the US-Mexico border to the UTC Transit Center in University City.
- Stops at key locations such as downtown San Diego, Barrio Logan, National City, Chula Vista, and the Iris Avenue Transit Center.
- A trip from the US-Mexico border to downtown San Diego takes approximately 45 minutes.
- Orange Line:
- Operates from downtown San Diego to the El Cajon Transit Center in East County.
- Serves areas such as La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and Spring Valley.
- Primarily used by locals commuting from East County to downtown San Diego.
- 3. Green Line:
- Runs from the 12th & Imperial Transit Center in downtown San Diego to the Santee Town Center in East County.
- Stops at Old Town, Mission Valley, Fashion Valley, SDCCU Stadium, and San Diego State University.
- Popular among students and visitors traveling to tourist destinations like Old Town and Mission Valley.
- Some key points about the trolley system:
- Trolleys run every 7-30 minutes, depending on the time of day and the line.
- The trolley system operates from early morning until late at night, with limited service in the early morning hours.
- Trolleys can get crowded during peak hours and during special events, such as Padres games or Comic-Con.
- Riders must have a valid Pronto card or ticket to board the trolley and must tap their card on the card reader before boarding.
Bus Lines
1. Urban Frequent:
- Operates on major corridors with high frequency, usually every 15 minutes or better.
- Routes include 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, and 929.
2. Urban Standard:
- Runs less frequently than Urban Frequent routes, typically every 30-60 minutes.
- Serves many neighborhoods and connects to trolley stations and transit centers.
3. Rapid:
- Limited-stop, high-speed bus service that operates on major corridors.
- Uses dedicated bus lanes and transit signal priority to improve speed and reliability.
- Routes include Rapid 201/202, 204, 215, and 235.
4. Express:
- Operates during peak commute hours, connecting residential areas to major employment centers.
- Routes include 20, 50, 60, 110, and 150.
5. Rural:
- Serves rural communities in East County, such as Alpine, Ramona, and Julian.
- Routes include 838, 888, 891, 892, and 894.
Some key points about the MTS bus system:
- Buses operate on a fixed schedule, which can be found on the MTS website or through the Pronto app.
- Riders must board the bus at designated stops and pay their fare using a Pronto card or exact change.
- Some bus routes operate 24 hours a day, while others have limited service during late night and early morning hours.
- Buses are equipped with bike racks, allowing riders to combine cycling and transit for their trips.
To plan a bus trip, riders can use the MTS website's trip planner, the Pronto app, or Google Maps. These tools provide information on routes, schedules, and real-time bus arrival information.
FRED
1. Coverage Area:
- - FRED operates within the downtown San Diego area, including neighborhoods like the Gaslamp Quarter, East Village, Little Italy, and the Columbia District.
- - The service does not extend beyond downtown, so riders cannot use FRED to travel to other parts of the city, such as Balboa Park or Coronado.
- - To request a ride, users need to download the Circuit app, available for both iOS and Android devices.
- - Once the app is installed, users can request a ride by selecting their pickup and drop-off locations within the service area.
- - After the ride is requested, the app will display the estimated wait time for the vehicle to arrive.
- - FRED uses small, electric vehicles that can accommodate up to five passengers.
- - The vehicles are open-air and have a maximum speed of around 25 miles per hour.
- - The service is completely free to use, although tips are encouraged for the drivers.
5. Wait Times and Availability:
- Wait times for FRED vehicles can vary depending on demand and the number of vehicles in operation.
- During busy periods, such as weekends or special events, wait times may be longer than usual.
- The service operates daily, with hours that may vary seasonally.
Video Transcription
First things first, in order to ride MTS and NCTD, you have to purchase yourself a Pronto card. Now you can get these over at the machines at any trolley station, and there are a couple of transit shops over in downtown you can pick these up at. They're only two bucks, so if you get this plus a day trip, it's eight dollars in total. It will dispense it for you. Make sure you keep this - you can actually link the card number to your app.
We made it over to the Nobel Drive trolley station, and over here they have a huge parking structure where parking is free. Now the reason why I am not starting over at UTC, so I could show you the path all the way from UTC down to downtown, is that UTC only has free parking for two hours, so if I left my car longer than that, I'd have to pay some money. Love the beautiful view you get of the Mormon temple here in University City with the 15 right in between the trolley station and the temple itself. Here in the Nobel Drive parking structure for the trolley, MTS parking is assigned, so make sure you're looking at the parking spot. It'll tell you if it's transit parking, clean air, or retail parking. You don't want to park in the wrong spot and risk getting a ticket or something like that. Parking starts at the third floor all the way to the roof for transit parking.
We're going to show you exactly how to use the machines for the Pronto card. MTS stands for Metropolitan Transit System and NCTD is the North County Transit District, and they work hand in hand. You'll see later on in the video about how to ride the Coaster.
So here's the Pronto machine. Let's start with the fares. Let's load pass, since I already have this. It says "tap card below, add money." Six dollars is an all-day pass. It's $2.50 per one-way ride, but since we're going to ride this more than once, we're going to go with six dollars, and I'm going to do debit/credit.
The next thing that's very important is that you do this - you have to find the check-in tap-in area here, grab your card, boom, $2.50 one way. Now I'm ready to go hop on to the trolley next, and this is valid for two hours. You can transfer and it'll still be valid. You can transfer to the buses and all that other good stuff.
If you look at this particular stop, they do show you how long it takes for the next one to show up. So it's 12 minutes. One thing that's also a must is downloading the Pronto app, which is what they use for MTS and North County Transit. You can create a virtual card, but I also loaded my physical card that you have to buy for two dollars. So look, it says I have $3.50 left for an all-day pass. They're not going to charge you any more than six dollars, so if you load your Pronto card more than six bucks, they're not going to take more than six bucks per day on your travels within the San Diego area.
What I really like about the Pronto app is it has a trip planner. You can show exactly where you're leaving from and it'll tell you the exact directions. So from here, we're going to do Nobel Drive to Santa Fe Train Depot. The next train comes at 1:11 and gives you the exact directions, and that's really cool. They'll also tell you the price down below. So this is a really handy app. It'll also really help you with the bus routes, because the bus routes, as you can see, are very confusing around San Diego.
For MTS bus, MTS trolley, and MTS Rapid, each one-way fare is $2.50, but like I said, they won't deduct more than six dollars per day out of your account if you're riding more than two times. Now if you're living here in San Diego and you want to buy a monthly pass, it's $72 for an adult. It goes down drastically for seniors - $23 bucks - and a day pass for seniors is only three bucks.
Now on the weekends, for families, you can have up to two kids 12 and under ride with you for free anywhere on the MTS transit routes. A little update - starting on May 1st, 2022, the Youth Opportunity Free Pass program starts for MTS, and kids 18 and under can ride San Diego public transit for free. You just gotta have that Youth Opportunity Pass. So that's going to help a lot of the youth get around town, especially if they're going to high school or college, and it'll help them ride the bus and they'll be able to afford it because it's free.
There are also special holidays - I'm going to read them out. It's New Year's, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day - a friend with you can ride free with a fair-paying customer, so it's basically buy one get one free.
This is also a very accessible stop. They have elevators, and there's braille here for the visually impaired. Also for safety, you're going to want to stand behind this black line right here as the trolley pulls up.
If I were to drive from where I got onto the trolley to downtown at the Santa Fe Train Depot, it's 21 minutes. We're going to compare the car and the trolley ride, and keep in mind you have to find parking when you're in downtown.
So it looks like it's about 28 minutes from here to the Santa Fe Train Depot, and we're passing through Tecalote Canyon, the Clairemont area right now. The next stop after Nobel Drive is Balboa Avenue. From here you can hop a bus in the Kearny Mesa or hop a bus over down to PB, as PB is only a couple miles away. Also keep in mind, you could probably also hop on an Uber or a Lyft to get to these destinations if you're in a hurry.
Over here at the Old Town trolley station, you could actually hop the San Diego Flyer. It is across the parking lot towards the Sports Arena. It's a free way for you to get to the airport. So if you can somehow access the trolley from where you're at, you can get over here and take the San Diego Flyer. I'll make sure to link all this stuff down below.
So in a matter of 27 minutes versus 21 minutes, I have made it here to the Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego. Now this is the main train station for San Diego - very small spot, but this is where you hop your Coaster, your Amtrak, and there's also a trolley stop here.
Now let's talk about the Blue Line. There are only three lines in the San Diego trolley, and the Blue Line starts over in UTC and it ends at the border. The new extension added nine new stops, which gives access to University City, La Jolla, Clairemont, Mission Bay, Bay Ho, USD, all the way to Old Town and here in downtown San Diego to finish off the Blue Line. Once you hit downtown, you pass through Gaslamp, you'll get to Barrio Logan, then to National City, then to Chula Vista, then to San Ysidro, all the way down to the last US exit where you can get off the trolley and cross the border to Tijuana. From downtown, give or take, that's about 45 minutes.
Right behind me are the train tracks. You can take the Amtrak to LA Union Station. So downtown San Diego to Union Station, about two and a half plus hours, $35 - you can get it at its lowest. I'm sure prices vary depending on times and availability, so you're going to want to check out the Amtrak website, but very convenient. You can just hop on here from downtown San Diego and get to downtown LA Union Station, and from there get to wherever you need to get to in Los Angeles. And you can also go the long haul - go to Santa Barbara, go to San Francisco using this Amtrak.
Now check out how old school the Santa Fe Train Depot is - brings you back to the early 1900s. If you're looking for visitor and transportation information, they have a booth over here at the train station as well.
Let's talk about the Orange Line. The Orange Line takes you all the way to El Cajon through La Mesa, Spring Valley, and then into the courthouse, which is its last stop. I don't see tourists using it as much - more people that live in the East County of San Diego and La Mesa, El Cajon use it to get to work or get to downtown San Diego.
The third trolley line is the Green Line, and I have actually used this more in the past as I've parked in the Fashion Valley/Mission Valley area and gone into Comic-Cons. The Green Line itself starts in Santee, so if you're living in Santee, the Green Line will take you from Santee all the way to SDSU, San Diego State, which I used the trolley every now and then towards the end of my education there. It takes you into Mission Valley where the new stadium is being built, Fashion Valley Mall, Mission Valley Mall, and into Old Town and here to downtown San Diego.
Right behind me is America Plaza. This is where you'd stop to get to the courthouse, and if you're doing jury duty, you actually get a free pass for using MTS that day. In order to link you to other places that are not close to the trolley stop, you can hop on the MTS bus, and there are a ton of different routes. So I'm going to suggest that you check out the Pronto app, because it'll tell you all the bus routes that you can take to either getting to work or a certain place that is not near a trolley station.
So we'll talk a little bit more about the different types of MTS buses they have. They have Rapid, they have MTS Rural, they have Rapid Express, and just the regular MTS buses that will take you around places like downtown. And this is a bus stop that serves about four different routes: 280, 290, 923, and 992.
A tip about when you're riding an MTS bus - there is a yellow cord that you need to pull when you're about to get to your stop. Unlike the trolley, where it stops at every scheduled stop, the bus won't unless you hit that yellow cord. When you enter the bus, you're also going to want to tap in your Pronto card or Pronto app by the bus driver or somewhere around the bus.
All this public transportation is making me hungry, so I'm gonna show you a nice spot right by the trolley stop called Giovanni's to get a slice of pizza. And you know, it's a little more expensive over at Petco Park. It's almost two o'clock, so let's grab a slice before we head over towards the ballpark.
So if you're looking for a nice quick spot by the train station, check out Giovanni's for a couple slices. I usually go here if I have jury duty. And I got the buffalo chicken and the pepperoni sausage - definitely a lot cheaper than the ballpark. Nice and warm - definitely will hold me off. I'm looking to try the new hot chicken sandwich over at Petco.
Both thumbs up, and look at the view you get - the trolley stop. Also to add on about the cruise ships - we have a very small cruise ship terminal, but there are about five or six different cruise lines that port over there. I've seen a Disney cruise ship there in the past. These are cruises that go through Baja California, Mexico, and you can go to Ensenada and take nice trips down the Baja coast.
We've made it over to the Embarcadero, and this is where you would want to catch the Coronado Ferry. And they raised the prices to the Coronado Ferry. It used to be five dollars each way, ten dollar round trip, and now it's a total of fourteen dollars round trip, seven dollars each way. So they raised it. Over here you can also do dinner cruises, Patriot Jet Boat, whale watching, and they show the times and the prices, but we will do another video on water activities to do on the bay, so stay tuned for that.
If you're to hop the ferry from the Embarcadero to Coronado, this is the stop off the Broadway Pier, but they also have a smaller stop closer to the Hilton and the Convention Center, which I've used in the past with Action Kids. It's only about a 15 minute ferry ride - beautiful views, especially on a sunny day like today. You can see the helicopters and the planes flying around, all the sailboats - really awesome ride for only 14 round trip. And this right here is the Visitor Info Center, where you can get all the cruises and tours and information.
As for the Coronado Ferry, they come frequently throughout the day. They even have the schedules and you can see it when you hit the dock, so you know exactly what time they come from there and to there.
I actually just asked the bike taxi how much it cost to get from the USS Midway to Petco Park and how much it is for a family of four plus tip. He said 50 dollars in total. I can legit walk there in 25 minutes and it will be just as nice of a stroll. That's expensive!
So let's talk a little bit about parking. The parking meters that are around downtown San Diego - they operate until about 8pm, 10am to 8pm, seven days a week. This particular one is about $2.50 per hour, seven days a week, three hour time limit. I've seen other parking meters around downtown San Diego for only about a dollar twenty-five, a dollar fifty. I was parked by the Gaslamp sign and it was that cheap over there. So it does vary depending on what area you are - if you're in a touristy spot or in the business district.
This parking structure behind me is the Manchester Grand Hyatt's parking structure. Pretty expensive, I'm not gonna lie. Ace Parking is one of the main parking companies in all of San Diego, and Ace Parking has a website where you can go check out the different prices on certain dates, and you can reserve a parking permit through that website. I tried that during Comic-Con - I got parking passes for 15 bucks in Little Italy and just took a trolley into the Convention Center, and it was really convenient. So I'm gonna link that down below - it's Ace Parking, I think they call it Space Parking, and you can find all the various parking spots and parking lots here in downtown San Diego. Parking's not cheap guys, I'm telling you. It can range you up to about 50 to 75 dollars depending on where you're at. There are other parking lots that are cheaper - 12, 15 dollars - but those parking spots are a little more in the outskirts and less convenient for you.
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We made it over here to Seaport Village, and right in the middle of it, in the entrance of Embarcadero Marina Park, you have your ticket center right here where you can hop on the Old Town Trolley Tours. Now Old Town Trolley Tours - you can save yourself almost 4 dollars and 60 cents. It's forty-one dollars and forty cents for a day if you book your Old Town Trolley online. It starts around nine o'clock, ends around four or five o'clock in the afternoon, and it'll take you to all the tourist destinations you need to go to, whether it's downtown, Balboa Park, Old Town, Coronado. This is all within the loop for the Old Town Trolley Tours. And you know, if you're just a tourist here and you're only here for a couple of days, that might be the best way for you to see all the scenic, touristy parts of San Diego. Now you also have the option to buying it here physically, but you're going to pay the extra $4.60. So every dollar counts in this day and age, and if you want to save a few bucks, just book it online. And you can also get your San Diego SEAL Tours ticket here, which is the amphibious boat which goes on land and on water, which is a really cool tour as well. And if you book that online, you save some money too.
The next thing I want to talk about is getting around downtown for free. I'm talking about the Circuit app. Now these things are called FREDs - they're basically free rides around the borders of downtown San Diego. It doesn't go past like Banker's Hill. You can ride this for free. The only thing about this is you have to wait - there's no priority like Lyft orUber. Once you find a ride, like right now I just ordered a ride and it's 17 minutes away to take me to Petco Park. It's a little too long, so I'm gonna cancel that ride. Sorry about that, but the ETA was too long. I'm just going to walk over to the trolley and get there that way. But you also do want to tip - make sure you tip when you get on these rides.
This is where they shot scenes of Top Gun - the original Top Gun. And Top Gun Maverick comes out in May, which is just next month, so I'm excited to see that.
In order to tap in with your cell phone, I guess you have to link a virtual card, but I didn't do that. I just have the physical. So even though you see the balance amount of your physical card, you still got to get a virtual to tap it in with your phone. So I'm going to have to use my normal card. It's good to always have this anyways, just in case technology fails you. And when you need to scan your phone, this is the QR code that the virtual card will produce every time you check in.
Instead of the Blue Line, I'm getting on the Green Line - Seaport Village, just two stops to Gaslamp Quarter, where I'll walk in from there. Took two stops, but it's right before the baseball game, so it is packed over here. But yeah, go Padres!
Made it into the ballpark - very beautiful day for opening day baseball here in San Diego.
Next, I want to talk about the MTS buses. Now they have MTS buses with a ton of different routes all around the city. Like I said, check out the Pronto app - it'll give you the best routes to get to your destination. Now there's another thing called MTS Rapid, which goes longer distance and it's more of an express bus from like North County, East County, and it'll get you to downtown and other places of San Diego a lot faster. They actually have a bus from El Cajon to Borrego Springs, and it does a loop all around the East County area called MTS Rural. So those are the different buses and bus types they have here in San Diego.
First things first Jaycationers, we got to go to Barrio Dog and get the cucumber michelada!
"My name is Alfonso here at Barrio Dog. Today we are serving up La Fresca, the cucumber michelada for my boy JJ."
"I appreciate it man, there you go. Appreciate you, thanks for coming to see us."
Not opening day without coming here and trying out the Barrio Dog cucumber michelada. I'm gonna have this again tomorrow - this is the only beverage I'm gonna have here. Craft beer and the ballpark is super expensive. It's a nice warm day here in San Diego. I'm gonna pop this open, start that pour baby! Got your Tajín rim here with the lime, of course you gotta squeeze that lime with the Tajín in there. This is so good that like, you can drink this and you can still have some of the Estrella. You can also have Pacifico and Modelo. So cheers guys! So refreshing, so good.
Let's talk about Uber and Lyft around town. Now if you're staying in downtown and just trying to hop a quick Uber to the other side, then it'll only cost you about seven to ten dollars. But if you're trying to get to the beach area or other parts of San Diego County, it might cost you even more than that - anywhere from 15 upwards to 50 bucks depending on how far you go. So Lyft and Uber are good for short distances, but not for your entire trip here in San Diego.
Alright Jaycationers, so we're trying out San Diego's finest hot sandwich. This is the Hot Hen sandwich - it's got all different types of red peppers, spices in it, with French fries that are seasoned. Gave me some barbecue sauce with it. First ever bite of Petco Park's newest food.
It's got a sweet spice to it, really crunchy chicken, not very juicy. The bun's pretty nice. This is pretty good - $15.50. You can find us up in the 300 section, section 316. Kind of hard to find, but if you want to try the newest chicken sandwich in San Diego, head up here to...
I'll leave the game - Padres are winning seven nothing in the bottom of the seventh, so I'm happy. Opening day a success. Now let's see how it is to get onto the trolley at night. Definitely not waiting 27 minutes for this, so I'm gonna walk over to the Blue Line.
I left the game at the end of the seventh inning after Machado hit that home run and he went five for five. It's nine nothing now. Back on the Blue Line, back to Nobel Drive. Let's see how safe it is over here right now. So far so good - it's actually pretty quiet and it's the opening day crowd. So I beat that post-game rush. Although I hopped the Blue Line from 12th and Imperial over to America Plaza, the Blue Line this trolley I hop ends here at Nobel Drive where I parked. There's one coming in three minutes, so not to fret, and it looks like it comes every 15 minutes or so after a ball game.
And so far, I've seen a couple of homeless people on here. I mean, when I used to do night school at SDSU in my final couple semesters, I used to take the trolley from Grantville to SDSU and then SDSU back to the Grantville parking lot. And one time I vaguely remember seeing somebody wiping their face with a paper bag and asking for a penny. That was really the only weird time that I had an experience on the trolley. You just got to be vigilant and just watch your surroundings. If you're ever feeling unsafe, there is a number you can text or call to report.
If you want to follow SDMTS for updates, they have a Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Oh check it out - it actually didn't even activate the all-day pass, so I was able to save a dollar and I can use that for my next time I use the Pronto card.
So about half an hour, we're back here at Nobel Drive right next to the beautiful temple. Now let's continue on with the North County Transit District and talk about the Coaster.
This is the Coaster. The Coaster costs a little more to ride - a round trip from Oceanside all the way to downtown San Diego Santa Fe Train Station, I think it's about $13 round trip. They go by zones - there's three zones. The first zone is Oceanside down to Solana Beach, and it'll stop around Carlsbad and Encinitas as well. And then the second zone is here in Sorrento Valley. And then the third zone are the final two stops, which is Old Town and downtown San Diego at Santa Fe Train Depot. And that's how they're priced. If you're only traveling within one zone, it's only like five dollars each way. If you're traveling a second zone it goes up a little more, and then a third zone and so on. They also offer monthly passes.
Now what's really nice about that is if you just load your Pronto app with money, it'll just deduct the correct amount of money that's needed. If you're looking to ride the Coaster, you can still use the Pronto app - it just costs a little more. It goes by zones.
Two other forms of transportation that is used in North County is the Sprinter and the Breeze. Now the Sprinter is almost like the trolley - it goes from Escondido to San Marcos to Vista to Oceanside, and I think there's two different lines that you can take. $2.50 each way, just like the trolley. If you need to access the more quieter beaches and the more local beaches of San Diego of North County San Diego, you can take the bus that's called the Breeze, and it starts all the way from Oceanside and it stops all the way in La Jolla in Westfield UTC.
Tourists that would be using the Coaster would be ones that are staying at a resort or a hotel in the Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas area and want to get into downtown if they don't have a car. But usually when you're staying in North County, you're probably going to have a rental car.
Next up, let's talk about scooters. If you've been in downtown San Diego in the past, you've probably seen a couple of those Lime or Bird scooters. So basically, depending on the area you are in town, they're going to give you a fixed rate on the app that you're going to pay regardless, and then they're going to charge you cents per minute until you park your ride and stop it on the app.
Some of you might be wondering about the Greyhound bus station, and it's not really much of a station. It's just a small office building over on 12th and Imperial - they have that there. And then down in San Ysidro, the last US exit, they do have a station where the Greyhound bus stops right at the last stop of the US-Mexico border.
You hear me talk about this all the time on my channel, and I always will continue to preach this, and that's if you're visiting San Diego, rent a car. I believe that there's so much to see around San Diego County, and maybe on first few days you're staying here, you don't rent the car and then you rent it on the last few days so you can see more of just downtown San Diego and the touristy areas.
I prefer riding in luxury, and SD Cruising Rentals gives you a fleet of about 11 cars, and you get 15% off if you use the promo code JAYCATION when booking. And San Diego has a huge rental car garage over by the airport, and Hertz, Enterprise, Budget - all those rental car stations are over there. And if you book it online, you can get yourself a rental car straight at the airport.
Alright Jaycationers, so that will do it for the complete transportation guide to San Diego County. Hopefully this helps you plan your next trip or help you get around San Diego. If you have any other suggestions or comments about it, please comment down below.
Now let me give you my honest opinion. I'm born and raised here in San Diego, and maybe it's just because I'm very impatient, but I'd rather have a car. So I definitely would say rent a car when you're in San Diego, and I'm going to stick to that even after using public transportation over this last week going to the Padre games. It just was a little slow, to be honest with you, even though you still gotta park in downtown and pay all that money to park in downtown. The trolley does eventually close, so if you're out and about late at night, you're not gonna be able to ride the trolley back to North County. And it also experienced a couple delays - it was a 15 minute delay when I was going to the second Padre game of the week, and we almost missed the first pitch. We had to hustle to walk to the ballpark. You can still experience delays because the trains and some trolleys might clog up around the downtown area.
Alright Jaycationers, if you like this video, please give it a thumbs up - it really helps distribute it throughout YouTube. Please consider subscribing - I have a ton of San Diego, Las Vegas, and world content - food and travel and tip videos just like this. And if you want to join my Facebook group called "It's Always Sunny in San Diego," we have about 6,000 San Diego lovers there talking about the latest news, gives you recommendations, tips and tricks on your next trip here in San Diego or your move to San Diego. And if you want to support me in 2022, check out my Patreon, Teespring or PayPal - I have them all linked down below. And we'll see you all in the next video, and in the words of Jaycation - stay traveling San Diego!
Want to see more videos related to San Diego? Well check out my San Diego playlist down here and my "Common Tourist Mistakes" video over here. See you there Jaycationers!
Uber Vs Lyft: Side-By-Side Comparison For Riders & Drivers
Ridesharing apps are getting lots of people around these days. Two of the most popular ridesharing apps – Uber and Lyft – have exploded in growth over the last few years.
But which is best, and when should you choose one over the other? This article will provide an in-depth comparison of these two companies based on 7 different criteria:
- Pricing
- The App Features & Ease of Use
- Coverage Areas
- Vehicle Types & Service Options
- Safety of the Drivers & Vehicles
- Helpfulness of the Customer Support
- Innovation
- Brand Image
Let’s dive right in!
At a Glance: Uber Vs Lyft Side-By-Side
If you don’t want to read the entire post, we’ve put together a table to help you quickly see the similarities and differences between the two companies:
| Category | Uber | Lyft | Brett’s Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Overview | Global presence, diverse services including SUVs, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, food delivery, and more. | Primarily in the U.S. and Canada, offering a range of services from regular to luxury options. | N/A |
| Pricing | Similar pricing to Lyft; uses Surge pricing during high-demand times. | Typically cheaper in big cities; uses Prime Time pricing during high demand. | Lyft |
| App Design & Ease of Use | More features, upfront cost estimation, less user-friendly due to added features. | Simpler interface, transparency in pricing is improving. | Tie |
| Vehicle Types/Options | Broad range including UberX, Uber Pool, Uber Comfort, Uber Black, Uber Lux, etc. | Standard Lyft, Lyft XL, Lyft Lux, Shared Rides, and more. | Uber |
| Availability & Coverage | Available in 58 countries and 300 cities worldwide. | Available in about 46 U.S. states and Canada. | Uber |
| Safety | Generally safe with background checks, safety features in-app. Some incidents reported. | Similar safety protocols; notable safety incidents but perceived as safer by some. | Uber |
| Customer Support | Declining support quality, canned responses. | More helpful, better problem-solving approach. | Lyft |
| Innovation | Advanced features like tiered service options, rigorous driver rating, surge pricing, built-in tipping. | Lyft Line for shared routes, Lyft Plus for larger groups, focus on driver and rider community. | Uber |
| Brand Image | Faced scandals, lawsuits, and PR issues. | Generally positive image, less negative publicity. | Lyft |
| Overall Recommendation | Preferred for its global presence, vehicle options, and innovative features. | Chosen for better pricing, customer support, and brand image. | Depends |
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
To me, Uber and Lyft are practically the same. I use them both equally, as they provide a similar experience at a nearly identical price point.
Lyft was initially more geared toward low-cost “friendly” rides, while Uber took a professional and elegant approach. With time, however, both companies have rolled out similar services that appeal to a wide variety of customers.
I personally use both apps, but the one I choose over the other is almost solely dependent on two things: 1) pricing at the time I need a ride, and 2) driver availability and distance of pickup.
My suggestion is this:
When you need a ride, open both apps and check the time of pickup and cross reference that with the price. You will usually find one is either much closer to pick you up, or one will be drastically cheaper than the other.
Weigh the price against the pickup time, and then make a decision from there. All other things considered, these are the two most important factors when choosing between one and the other.
Now let’s take a detailed look at each category.
The In-Depth Breakdown of Uber Vs Lyft
I’ve spent a considerable amount of time and effort using each service over the last few years, having taken hundreds of rides in the process. I’ll look at both services in detail, and then offer my personal experience for each based on my experiences with both services.
1. Uber vs. Lyft Pricing
Uber and Lyft compete heavily on pricing, attempting to lure customers away from each other by constantly undercutting on price.
However, when we take a more in-depth look, we find that for the most part, the companies charge about the same rates, although prices can vary from city to city.
Both companies charge around $1.00 to start a ride and then charge $1.50 per mile, around .25 cents per minute. When we think about the average cost per mile, it lands at about $2.00 per mile which is much more cost-effective when compared to a taxi.
Both companies use some form of price surging – meaning fare prices go up during times when rider demand is greater than normal. Uber calls it Surge, and Lyft calls it Prime Time.
Surge Pricing for Uber
Whenever the ride demand increases, Uber adds a surge rate multiplier on standard fares. The surge multiplier changes based on location, and come up to 1.3x or 2.1x to the base, time, and distance fare.
Prime Time for Lyft
Lyft, on the other hand, charges the extra fee in form of a percentage that gets added to the base ride amount. So, if a Prime Time is 50%, then a ride that would normally cost $10, would go up to $15 during Prime Time.
Surge charges increase Uber fares about 7X or 8X, while Lyft has been known to increase their prices at least 2X.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
I’ve seen Surges go absolutely insane. Even after waiting hours for it to come back down, it has still been higher than I’m willing to pay. So it makes sense that during peak times of high demand, riders oftentimes choose Lyft over Uber due to its lower prices.
While both services have similar rates on normal days, Lyft’s has done a good job of putting a system in place to reward drivers in peak hours, yet still remain a reliable and economical choice for riders.
Winner: Lyft gets my vote on this one. In the rideshare wars, pricing is everything, and sometimes Uber is just too expensive.
2. Uber App vs. Lyft App
Both apps are fairly simple to use. While they may slightly differ in their user interface and how they go about presenting their features, they do the same thing: connect riders with drivers.
That said, the Uber app is now getting packed with features and is slowly becoming less user-friendly than it used to be.
I have noticed that there’s a lot of cross-promotion to other services like Uber Eats and their delivery services, which is quite obtrusive when riders just want to request a ride.
Additionally, they are making a huge push whenever they can to get users to sign up for Uber One, their monthly subscription service.
Booking a ride is easy in both apps. They both require riders to input their destination address and current location into the app.
Since they rely on location-based data, you need to have access to the internet. Both apps calculate the fare based on distance, time, and service and show the driver’s estimated arrival time.
Uber provides you with an estimated arrival time BEFORE you book a ride; with Lyft, you have to request a ride first to get an ETA.
Lyft allows passengers to add a stop along the route. This means that they can pick a friend up on the way or drop something off at the library or the dry cleaners’.
Both Uber and Lyft store your credit card information within the app, so you don’t have to worry about paying the fare with cash. Once you arrive at your destination, the fare is automatically charged on your card; all you have to do is leave a review and a tip if you wish.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
Using Uber and Lyft is practically an identical process. If you can use one, you can use the other. Each app has slight variations and nuances, but within a few minutes you’ll likely be able to navigate either platform with ease.
I really don’t see a significant difference between the two rideshare apps, other than small aesthetic differences. When riding, I choose the service that has a closer car. When driving, I operate both apps and take whichever ride request comes up first.
A lot of the riders I talk to don’t have a preference either way. They typically choose the service that has an available ride nearest to them, with almost nobody talking about the process of actually using the app.
Winner: Tie. This category is a bit too close to call.
3. Uber vs Lyft: Availability & Coverage Areas
Uber has more investors and a much larger war chest, so it’s grown more popular throughout the nation and beyond. Uber has more drivers, riders, and is available in more cities than Lyft.
Uber has also gained traction in more countries. They’ve struck the right partnerships, expanded at the right times, and seized opportunities.
Uber is in 58 countries and 300 cities worldwide. Lyft, although aggressively expanding, is only available in roughly 46 states in the United States and in Canada.
Both companies offer rides 24/7 but passengers might have trouble requesting one at night if they live in a small town with not many drivers available.
But if you live in a bigger location like Los Angeles, San Francisco, or New York you should have no problems catching a ride any time of the day or night.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
Riders can expect quick, reliable Uber rides pretty much anywhere they go. Lyft has a large foothold in most US cities, but when traveling abroad, riders will likely be taking an Uber.
Uber offers many more positions than Lyft, in many more cities. They have a greater selection of vehicles in a greater selection of cities.
Winner: Uber. I think Uber has a much more reliable coverage area than Lyft. Lyft has done a great job of expanding in the United States to close this gap, but the divide is still very evident.
4. Vehicle Types/Options
When taking a look at the battle between Uber and Lyft, one of the biggest factors that set the two services apart is the vehicle options available to passengers.
Uber Services
Uber is a global player in not only transportation, but logistics as a whole. They offer a wide variety of services to meet the needs of pretty much whatever you can think of.
Uber offers a variety of rideshare services, catering to diverse needs:
- UberX: The standard service for up to four passengers in an everyday car.
- Uber Pool: Allows ride-sharing with others, reducing fare costs.
- Uber Comfort: Provides newer cars with extra legroom.
- UberXL: Suitable for groups of six.
- Uber Black and Uber Lux: High-end services with luxury vehicles and top-rated drivers.
- Uber SUV: Luxury service for six passengers.
- Uber Taxi: Supports local taxi services.
- Uber Green: Offers rides in electric vehicles.
- Uber WAV: Wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
- Uber Flash: Quick rides in either UberX or Uber Taxi.
- Uber Pet: Accommodates riders with pets.
- Uber Auto: Auto-rickshaw service.
While availability varies by location, you can generally find a good handful of these services in most cities, with most major cities having nearly all.
Besides rides, Uber also provides:
- Electric bike and scooter rentals in select cities.
- Uber Eats for restaurant food delivery.
- Uber Connect for package delivery between locations.
- Transit information in the app.
- Uber Freight connecting truckers with freight shippers.
- Boat transportation in some areas.
Lyft Services
Lyft, like Uber, offers a variety of services, but with its unique features and options, it caters to a slightly different user experience.
Lyft Ride Services
Lyft’s range of ride services includes:
- Lyft: The standard service for direct, private rides.
- Lyft XL: Suitable for larger groups.
- Lyft Lux: Offers rides in large, luxury vehicles with top-rated drivers.
- Priority Pickup: An upgrade option for quicker driver response.
- Preferred Mode: Allows riders to set preferences for noise level, temperature, and provides newer vehicles and high-rated drivers.
- Shared Rides: A cost-saving option by sharing the ride with others.
- Lyft Wait & Save: Ideal for those not in a hurry, offering rides at reduced costs.
Additional Lyft Services
Lyft also extends beyond just ride services:
- Bike and Scooter Access: Users can unlock bicycles and scooters through the app.
- Transit Schedules: The app provides local public transit information.
- Rental Car Reservations: Users can book rental cars directly through the app.
- Food Delivery: Similar to Uber Eats, but less extensive.
Aside from the vehicle options, there is a noticeable difference between the rider experiences within the services themselves.
Since Uber leans towards businesspeople, the drivers are professional, concise, and do the best to simply get you from point A to point B.
Lyft drivers, on the other hand, live up to their slogan “Your Friend With a Car”. After all, they once drove around with giant mustaches on the front of their vehicles. I still have one sitting in my closet.
Lyft drivers tend to be friendly, open to conversation, and more fun than drivers on the Uber platform. Lyft riders are encouraged to sit in the front seat and interact with the driver.
Lyft drivers dress their cars up in creative days, wherein the rides are spruced up based on around themes like sports or karaoke. The whole experience is intended to inspire engagement and be fun and memorable.
If you’re looking for a quiet ride or a few minutes to focus on an upcoming presentation while riding from point A to point B, then Uber is the company for you.
The drivers through Uber is going to be dressed a bit more professionally. The driver is going to open the door for you and provide you with a more business-like ride to your destination.
In short, ride with Uber for a simple and professional drive. Ride with Lyft for something a bit more fun.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
Uber is geared more towards business riders and people who value quality and image, while Lyft is geared towards more relaxed users looking for a friendly ride.
From a convenience perspective, I use Lyft a lot, especially in times of high demand.
When there is a driver close by and I need a ride in a hurry, there are usually more Lyft rides due to Uber’s high prices – as I previously mentioned above.
However, from an optics perspective, I like the selection of vehicles that Uber offers.
If I need a cheap ride, UberPOOL has my back. If I’m on a business trip and want to impress a client, UberBLACK it is.
Winner: Lyft does a good job of being friendly, but that only gets me so far when I need a ride.
I have to go with Uber on this one because there are way more types of rides available. I also don’t usually call rides during times of high demand, so that eliminates Lyft’s edge in this category.
5. Uber vs Lyft: Safety
Uber and Lyft both have safety issues, yet they have taken many measures to improve their platforms.
Is Uber Safe?
Uber is generally safe, hiring only drivers with clean records. It allows location sharing for extra safety.
Drivers undergo background checks for a clean driving and criminal record, and must have liability insurance. Requirements vary by city, including age, car standards, and insurance. Drivers don’t receive special training, but Uber provides online safety resources.
The app displays the driver’s details, including license plate and picture. Users can see driver and rider ratings, share their location, contact emergency services through the app, and share trip details with contacts. Uber maintains user privacy and removes accounts with low ratings.
Despite safety measures, there have been serious incidents, including driver assaults and abductions, highlighted by a 2018 CNN report on 103 drivers from Uber accused of sexual assault.
Is Lyft Safe?
Lyft gained popularity as a safer rideshare option compared to Uber, but has faced safety allegations.
For driver vetting and qualifications, Lyft requires a valid driver’s license, criminal background check, clean driving record, vehicle registration, car insurance, and a four-door vehicle.
These requirements vary by city, and Lyft also mandates a safety education program for drivers. Additionally, Lyft conducts annual background checks and monitors driving records.
In terms of app safety features, Lyft provides the driver’s photo, car details, and license plate information. Riders can see driver ratings and share their location with family and friends.
The app includes an emergency services contact feature, and Lyft proactively reaches out if unusual ride activity is detected. The company avoids matching riders with poorly rated drivers and removes users who fall below a certain rating.
However, Lyft has had notable safety incidents. These include a driver behaving inappropriately while watching a rider, an incident where a previously fired driver for assault was later seen driving with a Lyft sign, and delays in responding to assault allegations, sometimes taking months or years.
A 2018 CNN investigation also highlighted safety concerns within ride-sharing services, including Lyft.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
I’ve personally only felt unsafe a very few times while using rideshare services. When I reported the issues to Uber and Lyft, they acted swiftly and effectively.
I have noticed that Uber and Lyft have done a good job of responding to and learning from their safety issues that have arisen over the years.
For instance, just look around both of the apps and you’ll notice the many safety features that have recently appeared. It’s clear both apps are taking rider safety incredibly seriously.
For more on this topic, check out our blog post, “Is Uber or Lyft Safer for Riders?“
Winner: While both companies’ safety regulations are about the same, Uber does pull ahead just a bit. While they were once the black sheep with a scarred reputation, their new CEO has done a great job of turning things around – ESPECIALLY in the area of rider and driver safety.
5. Uber vs. Lyft Customer Support
When Uber and Lyft first started out, customer service seemed to be the last thing on their minds. Now, however, as they have evened out in market share, they appear to be prioritizing customer experience as a way to retain customers.
Once they get customers using the platform, they want to keep them there. One way of doing this is building a customer service infrastructure that eliminates customer friction while riding.
Riders and drivers can get in touch through:
- in-app support
- website support
- critical response lines
After digging around the forums and comment sections of various websites, it appears that Lyft is a bit more helpful in solving problems than Uber.
Uber gives a bunch of canned responses readily available on their Help center, while Lyft actually takes time to answer questions.From my experience, Lyft reps seem to care and go out of their way to try to solve your problems.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
If you have a generic question about Uber or Lyft, take a look at their help sections before you ask, otherwise, you will waste a lot of time. Both companies will likely give you a canned response, but Lyft provides more detail.
For more critical matters, both companies have a critical response line that provides near-instant support to resolve issues like accidents, bad behavior from drivers, etc.
Lyft representatives are friendly, while Uber reps seem to be constantly overwhelmed. This leads to an abundance of canned responses readily available on their Help center, while Lyft actually takes time to answer questions.
Winner: I’m recommending Lyft as the winner here. Uber support offers canned responses, and Lyft support typically dives a little deeper into the issue.
6. Uber vs. Lyft Innovation
As Uber and Lyft expand, both companies are striking new partnerships to break into new areas.
Both companies are fierce competitors, competing heavily on price, but also scrambling to create the latest automotive innovations. These types of innovations help cut operation costs and ride fares, leading to greater passenger demand and higher profits and valuations.
Uber offers the following key innovations:
- (1) A tiered approach meaning that if the consumer wants a ride beyond the average, he/she can request “semi-luxury” or even “luxury”.
- (2) a rigorous driver rating system.
- (3) a surge pricing system that always encourages drivers to be available during high-demand.
- (4) a built-in tipping feature.
Lyft offers its consumers the ability to participate in what the company calls, “Lyft Line.” This means that consumers who are riding along the same routes can ride together and split the cost.
Additionally, Lyft offers what they call, “Lyft Plus” meaning groups of six passengers or more riding together. Lyft also offers the ability for the consumer to tip the driver.
Both companies are trying to implement self-driving cars but these aren’t ready, especially since the deadly crash involving a self-driving Uber SUV in Arizona that killed a pedestrian.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
Both companies are making incredibly large investments in new technologies. I think Uber’s acquisition of Otto puts them one step ahead of Lyft. If they can move on past the lawsuit with Waymo, they’ll advance their technology enough to be even more of a powerhouse.
As innovation advances, so do the economies of scale. In the future, riders can expect prices to drop and rides to get cheaper.
Uber and Lyft have assured drivers that with the rise of autonomous cars, their jobs will still be safe. But these are likely empty promises.
Winner: Uber
7. Uber and Lyft Brand Image
Winner: Lyft
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
Uber has been involved in countless scandals, harassment claims, lawsuits, and bad PR. It seems like they just can’t catch a break.
On the contrary, you rarely hear bad PR about Lyft, and when you do, they own their mistakes and move forward.
As Uber scandals pile on, many riders are deactivating their accounts and switching to Lyft. Riders will see more incentives and positive marketing campaigns from Uber to lure those ex-passengers back, so riders should be on a lookout for these cool incentives as time goes on.
Lyft drivers are seeing a strong flow of riders coming from Uber- thereby increasing the demand and inflating prices. Lyft drivers should enjoy this increase while it lasts because I think it’s only temporary.
Winner: Lyft. Lyft trumps Uber in this one, as they’ve been able to fly under the radar and for the most part stay out of the negative spotlight. Uber clearly has a brand image problem which they need to work through.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pays more LYFT or Uber?
Lyft generally takes a smaller cut than Uber. But Uber’s signup bonus is often bigger. In general, drivers report making more money per hour driving for Lyft due to increased tips, better Prime Time pricing, and the smaller cut compared to Uber.
Can you do Lyft and Uber at the same time?
Yes, drivers can work for both apps at the same time. Drivers cannot pick-up multiple passengers at the same time, but they can switch between Uber and Lyft. Drivers who work for both apps can make more money by locating the closest pick-up locations and by capitalizing on Surge and Prime Time pricing.
Do you tip a Rideshare Driver?
Tipping is optional for Uber and Lyft. When Uber was first introduced, it did not have an in-app tipping function, this has since changed to align more with Lyft.
Passengers should absolutely tip their driver while using Uber if the service was acceptable. Many drivers depend on tips to make a living. Tips can be given either in cash or through the app. Drivers receive 100% of tips received through the app.
Can you pay cash for Lyft or Uber
No. Uber and Lyft are not designed with cash in mind. Before a rider books a trip with Uber or Lyft, they must input a payment method (debit or credit card). When a trip is completed, passengers are automatically charged using the selected payment method. Drivers are allowed to accept cash tips from passengers.
Uber vs Lyft: Who Wins?
Uber beats Lyft on vehicle options, coverage areas, and innovation. On the other hand, Lyft wins on pricing, customer support, and brand image.
At the end of the day, the battle boils down to who you are, what features you’re looking for, and your value system. I use Uber for some things, but Lyft for others.
San Diego Transportation for Older Adults
Accessible transportation is important for older adults to be independent. We can connect older adults to available transportation services in the San Diego region.
- Senior Transportation
- Discount Transit Passes
- Senior Center Bus Services
- Ride-Sharing Programs
- Escort Programs
- Paratransit Programs
- Mature Driver Training
- MTS - San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
- Uber Vs Lyft: Side-By-Side Comparison For Riders & Drivers
On the Go - Jewish Family Services SD
“My love and appreciation for what On the Go does for me is endless. My whole life has changed. To get to my doctors’ appointments on time, to get out and see people, to see the trees and the city. Just riding in the car— it is like a breath of fresh air.”
FLEXIBLE OPTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS
For Adults 60+
Rides & Smiles
Individual rides to medical and personal appointments, social activities, errands, or wherever you need to go. Riders receive up to 8 rides a month—exceptions for non-emergency medical rides may be available. Rides & Smiles is the largest volunteer transportation program in San Diego. Rides must be reserved at least 7 days in advance.
Eligible Zip Codes
Rides & Smiles® transportation services are available to older adults age 60+ who reside in the following areas:
91941, 91942, 91945, 91977, 92007, 92014, 92019, 92020, 92021, 92024,
92025*, 92026, 92029, 92037, 92040, 92064, 92067, 92071, 92075, 92091,
92102, 92103, 92104, 92105, 92106, 92107, 92108, 92109, 92110, 92111,
92114, 92115, 92116, 92117, 92119, 92120, 92121, 92122, 92123, 92124,
92126, 92127, 92128, 92129, 92130, 92131, 92139
*West of San Pasqual/Highland Valley Road
Navigator
On-demand transportation anywhere in San Diego County using car-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. We monitor the ride in real time, making sure everything goes smoothly from pickup to drop-off. Perfect when you need a ride, but don’t have the 7-day advance notice needed for Rides & Smiles. We can schedule a ride with as little as 30 minutes’ notice!
- 8:00am – 4:00pm, Monday – Friday
- Riders must be 60 or older and be registered with On the Go
- Pricing includes the cost of the ride, plus a $6.00 service fee
- Credit card required
- 30-minute minimum advance notice required
Shuttle Service & Group Shuttles
Shuttles to JFS’s Social & Wellness Centers, as well as shopping, cultural events, and religious services including to areas synagogues during the High Holidays. Customized group transportation is available to organizations that serve older adults age 60+.
Eligible Zip Codes
If you’re an organization serving older adults ages 60+, Community
Partner Shuttles is here to provide your group of 10 or more with
transportation to and from your next adventure. Enjoy the ease of
friendly, affordable, dependable transportation. Ready to go? Contact us at (858) 637-7320. Create your own group adventure.
Choose a meeting point. Choose a destination. On the Go will get you there and back.
- Available 7:00am – 7:00pm, Monday – Friday
- Limited to destination 25 miles away; 4-hour trip maximum
- 10 person minimum
- Limited availability
Start your trip from anywhere within these zip codes.
91941, 91942, 91945, 91977, 92007, 92014, 92019, 92020, 92021, 92024,
92025*, 92026, 92029, 92037, 92040, 92064, 92067, 92071, 92075, 92091,
92102, 92103, 92104, 92105, 92106, 92107, 92108, 92109, 92110, 92111,
92114, 92115, 92116, 92117, 92119, 92120, 92121, 92122, 92123, 92124,
92126, 92127, 92128, 92129, 92130, 92131, 92139
*West of San Pasqual/Highland Valley Road
Where to Find Affordable Senior Transportation | FACT SD
Caregivers and seniors often feel helpless when transportation services are limited, especially when it comes to keeping medical appointments. But seniors don’t have to have to feel stuck. Affordable senior transportation is available in many areas around the country, including San Diego County, through agencies like FACT.
We act as a one-stop-shop that seniors and their caregivers can use to access timely, safe, efficient transportation throughout San Diego County, including all 18 cities. Let’s take a look at some of the options.
Senior Transportation Predicament
As more and more Americans are aging, they have a greater need for specialized transportation services. Demographic projections show dramatic increases in older adults needing social services and care. With this rise, there is concern over where so many aging adults will get their needs met, including transportation, which is also key to meeting all their other needs.
Mobility Management
If you haven’t heard of mobility management services, you’re not alone. These services help communities by offering options for getting around town. Rather than provide one type of transportation service, mobility management compiles information about a wide variety of service options so that people can make empowered decisions about their transportation.
This is especially important for seniors, as many do not know the options available. Often, if seniors don’t drive, they can feel isolated. Even if they have someone to take them places, if they have a spontaneous or more urgent need, that person may not always be available to help.
Mobility management services are often provided by nonprofit groups that work to support their communities by educating the public, establishing partnerships with various transportation providers, and promoting easy access to transportation options.
There are a number of options that mobility management services offer for seniors. Here are some of the most well-known:
Private Driving Services
Many people are turning to driving services that provide more individualized experiences, allowing seniors to run errands on their own time, rather than being subject to bus timetables. This can also be helpful for seniors that have special needs that are more difficult to accommodate public transportation.
An example would be the services offered at Care.com, that allow you to choose from a variety of private drivers in your area, including name, experience, rates, and reviews.
While these services are more personalized and cost-effective for occasional outings, there may be options more suitable for regular activities.
Bus and Paratransit Services
We’re all familiar with local bus and rail that provide affordable transportation, which can still be a great option for older adults who can navigate the public transportation system.
For those that may need more specialized assistance, there is ADA paratransit: reasonably priced, curb-to-curb transportation service that allows people to travel to the same areas that other public transportation goes.
Contracted Transportation Services
For seniors that are a part of a senior living community or specialized senior support groups, there may be transportation services already a part of an agency’s offerings. This is worth looking into, as they often offer lower rates than private transportation services and can suit a wider variety of unique senior transportation needs.
With so many options, it may be hard to know the best route to take, literally and figuratively. FACT is here to help. Contact us with questions about booking a ride or finding the right affordable senior transportation for you or your loved one.
RideFACT
RideFACT is operated by FACT for individuals who are not able to use the transportation options listed above. When it is not possible to connect a senior to any other mobility option in the County, FACT will offer transportation via its own service named RideFACT.
This is a curb-to-curb, affordable, and convenient transportation service that covers all San Diego County. It is available between 7 am and 8 pm on weekdays. The fare begins at $2.50 for shorter rides and companions can ride for free.
FACT is a nonprofit based in Oceanside and designated by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) as the Consolidated Transportation Service Agency (CTSA) for San Diego County. We strive to ensure that reliable transportation is accessible to all San Diego County residents. Contact us to learn more about finding your next ride!
Transportation
CALL CENTER: 800-339-4661
Note, this information is subject to change. Be sure to check back regularly.
Facilitating Access to Coordinated Transportation (FACT)
www.factsd.org | (888) 924-3228
Description:
- FACT offers rides in San Diego County for seniors aged 60+, persons with disabilities, students, veterans, and other residents who need assistance to make essential trips for medical needs or grocery needs
- To arrange for a ride, call between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm, Monday – Friday
- Please have the name(s) of the rider(s) to be transported, the pick-up address and time, and specify if any rider uses a mobility device such as a wheelchair or scooter
- Rides are available on a first-come, first-served basis
- Call at least one day ahead, if possible, to arrange for a ride
Senior Transportation in San Diego, CA
Comfort Keepers Senior Transportation Services for Convenient and Safe Mobility
At Comfort Keepers, we understand that transportation is vital in maintaining seniors' independence and active lifestyle needing home care in San Diego. Our senior transportation services are designed to ensure that older adults can easily access essential appointments, run errands, and participate in social activities, all while enjoying the comfort and security of their homes. With a focus on providing reliable and convenient transportation options, our dedicated caregivers are committed to helping seniors stay connected with their community and loved ones.
Getting to and from Appointments with Ease
We recognize the importance of regular medical appointments for seniors in San Diego. Our transportation services cater to the specific needs of older adults, offering reliable and comfortable transportation to and from doctor visits, follow-up appointments, and medical facilities. Our compassionate caregivers ensure seniors arrive on time and safely, providing peace of mind for the individual and their family.
Convenient Grocery Shopping and Errand Assistance
Running errands and grocery shopping can become challenging for seniors, especially if they face mobility limitations or difficulty navigating public transportation. Our senior transportation services include assistance with grocery shopping and running errands. Our caregivers support selecting groceries, carrying bags, and ensuring seniors have everything they need for a well-stocked pantry. With our help, older adults can maintain their independence and enjoy nutritious meals and household essentials without the stress of transportation concerns.
Social Events and Meeting New People
Isolation and loneliness can have a significant impact on the overall well-being of seniors. Our senior transportation services are not limited to essential appointments and errands; we also aim to enrich the social lives of older adults in San Diego. Our caregivers provide transportation to social events, community gatherings, and local senior centers, allowing seniors to stay connected with others, engage in activities, and form new friendships. We understand the importance of maintaining a vibrant social network for mental and emotional well-being, and our transportation services support seniors in leading fulfilling and socially active lives.
Visiting Distant Relatives
Spending quality time with distant relatives is a cherished experience for many seniors. However, long-distance travel can be daunting and physically demanding. At Comfort Keepers, we offer senior transportation services that extend beyond San Diego, allowing older adults to visit their loved ones who may reside in other cities or towns. Our caregivers ensure a comfortable and safe journey, accompanying seniors throughout the trip and providing assistance and support as needed. By facilitating visits to distant relatives, we enable seniors to maintain strong family bonds and create lasting memories.
San Diego Public Transportation
There's a whole new way to get everywhere you need to go around the San Diego region: The PRONTO card and app. PRONTO (which replaces the old Compass Card system) lets you get a move on faster and easier anytime you want to ride the San Diego Trolley, a bus or the Coaster train. The cloud-based system allows users to add funds instantly, and then buy a ticket when needed with a simple tap of the card or phone at a station kiosk. One-way fares are valid for unlimited transfers within two hours of activation, and PRONTO also lets you earn as you go toward a day or month pass on the Trolley or buses. Download the PRONTO app at the Apple or Google Play stores, or pick up a card at retail outlets, the MTS Transit Store (at 12th and Imperial avenues), NCTD customer service centers or ticket vending machines. And learn everything else you need to know about PRONTO right here!
An economical way to navigate through San Diego is by bus. There are plenty of routes that offer service throughout the county. Be sure to check schedules and plan your routes in advance.
For bus schedules and information, visit SDMTS.
For bus schedules and information for San Diego's North County, visit BREEZE.
If you're staying in and around downtown San Diego, the iconic bright red trolley will take you in and around the city. The San Diego Trolley provides convenient services from key locations downtown, including the Santa Fe Depot and the San Diego Convention Center, crisscrossing through downtown and out to various locations like Old Town, Mission Valley, El Cajon, Santee and San Ysidro, which is on the Mexican border. The new UC San Diego Blue Line trolley extension also expands service northward to Clairemont, the UCSD/La Jolla area and the Westfield UTC shopping center.
For trolley schedules and information, visit SDMTS.
The North County Transit District's COASTER trains connect downtown San Diego and Old Town with coastal communities throughout the county including Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside. These trains offer visitors car-free access to some of the most charming beach communities in the region, as well as a relaxing ride with breathtaking coastal scenery. There are more than 20 trains that run on weekdays with additional service on weekends. The entire COASTER route from Oceanside to the Santa Fe Depot downtown takes about an hour. An adult round-trip fare from downtown San Diego to Oceanside is inexpensive and children aged 5 and under ride for free.
For COASTER schedules and information, visit COASTER.
The east-west SPRINTER light rail train system that connects Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido. The 22-mile long rail system runs along the Highway 78 corridor, serving 15 stations, and running every 30 minutes. Adult one-way fares are inexpensive and children aged 5 and under ride free. A regional day pass, valid on the SPRINTER, Trolley and buses throughout the county, is also available.
For SPRINTER schedules and information, visit SPRINTER.
The Pacific Surfliner is a relaxing and convenient way to travel along the San Diego coastline and to San Diego from destinations like Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and the northern Pacific Coast.
For train schedules and information, visit Pacific Surfliner.
Pedicabs are popular forms of transportation along downtown's waterfront and in the Gaslamp Quarter. There are tours available as well, providing a unique way to explore San Diego's downtown communities.
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