MTS and NCTD Will Offer Free Rides to Vaccination Appointments
Free rides will be available to all vaccination sites in the county on all MTS and NCTD routes
Download B-roll of Petco Park Super Station and Trolleys
San Diego – Beginning today, The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) will offer free transit rides for people who need to get to their COVID-19 vaccine appointment location. This includes all vaccination sites in the county including Super Vaccination stations, hospitals, and other community immunization locations. MTS and the County are committed to equity and ensuring that residents can get to their vaccination appointments. The sooner residents get vaccinated the sooner everyone can resume normalcy.
“As the county continues to ramp up vaccination efforts we want to ensure San Diego residents have every opportunity to get to their appointment,” said Nathan Fletcher, MTS Board Chair and Chair, San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “Our goal is to make sure our region is able to overcome this crisis and do all we can for the health and safety of residents. Offering free rides on transit is a crucial component in that effort, and ensuring equity of access to the County vaccination centers.”
“NCTD is excited to partner with MTS to allow free rides for the community as they travel to and from their vaccination appointment,” said Tony Kranz, NCTD Board Chair and Encinitas Deputy Mayor. “The COVID-19 vaccinations are so important for our region to move forward from this pandemic. If NCTD and MTS can help by getting more people to their vaccination center, then that’s a win for the entire county and another step toward recovery.”
MTS has created a transit trip planner with vaccine sites to help residents get to their appointments. Rides will be free to and from vaccination sites on MTS buses and Trolleys throughout each service day, seven days per week. MTS Access Paratransit subscription passengers must book ahead of time to/from trips in the normal way.
Riders will only need to show a confirmation email of their vaccine appointment that day. This can be a printout or on a smartphone. MTS requires passengers to wear a mask and please don’t take transit if you are sick.
Vaccination Centers:
The County of San Diego is operating several immunization centers, and opened two Super Vaccination sites with one more opening on Jan. 31. At each of the County of San Diego vaccination centers there is a line for individuals not in a car who have an appointment.
UC San Diego Health - Petco Park Super Station is located Downtown across from the 12TH and Imperial MTS Transit Center, and is accessible by all Trolley lines and many bus routes.
Sharp Healthcare - South Bay Super Station is located at the Sears in Chula Vista. This vaccination center is easily accessible by the UC San Diego Blue Line, with a short five-minute bus ride to the location.
Cal State University San Marcos Super Station (opens Jan. 31) is easily accessible by the SPRINTER
To find other vaccination centers, eligibility, and appointments, visit the County of San Diego website. For those who wish to be notified when they become eligible for the vaccine and schedule their appointment, may sign up on the state’s website My Turn.
About MTS
For more details about cleaning protocols for MTS, visit the Clean Ride webpage. MTS continues to operate about 95 bus routes and three Trolley lines. Frequencies and spans have been restored to near-pre-COVID-19 levels. Updated schedules can be accessed on the MTS website. MTS asks that that people wear face coverings at all times and practice physical distancing when possible.
About NCTD
The North County Transit District is a public transportation agency providing over 10 million passenger trips in Fiscal Year 2019 throughout North San Diego County and into downtown San Diego. NCTD’s system includes BREEZE buses (with FLEX service), COASTER commuter trains, SPRINTER hybrid rail trains, and LIFT paratransit service. NCTD’s mission is to deliver safe, convenient, reliable, and user-friendly public transportation services. For more information visit: GoNCTD.com.
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