Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District

The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) is a public transit agency providing bus service in the southern portion of Santa Barbara County, California. It serves the cities of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, and Goleta as well as the unincorporated areas of Montecito, Summerland, and Isla Vista. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 4,579,600, or about 13,300 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024.

An MTD bus at UCSB in 2007.
Founded	1968
Headquarters	1020 Chapala Street Santa Barbara, California
Service area	Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Goleta, Montecito, Summerland, Isla Vista
Service type	Transit bus
Routes	37
Fleet	113 buses
Daily ridership	13,300 (weekdays, Q3 2024)[1]
Annual ridership	4,579,600 (2023)[2]
Fuel type	CNG, battery electric
Website	sbmtd.gov

History

Mule-powered street railways were implemented in 1875 and were gradually replaced by electric streetcars in 1896. The streetcars made their last run on July 1, 1929; about a month later, the Santa Barbara Transit Corporation company started providing local bus service (H.A. Spreitz, its owner, already operated another bus company that served the suburban areas of Goleta and Carpinteria.^[3][4] In the late 1950s and 60s, Santa Barbara Transit was losing revenue, and repeatedly threatened to go out of business.^[5][6] Strikes were also a problem, as the company could not afford to pay its employees.^[7][8][9]

At first, the City of Santa Barbara considered subsidizing the transit company, but since service was needed to Carpinteria and Goleta as well, a transit district was thought to be a better choice, because it would also be able to levy taxes on separately.^[10][11] Voters approved the formation of the MTD in 1966.^[12]

Over the years, service has expanded, particularly on routes serving the University of California, Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College. Bus schedules were being distributed from 1983 onwards.

In August 2012 MTD implemented peak-hour commuter service (Coastal Express Limited) between Ventura and the Santa Barbara/Goleta area.

Routes

Local routes

All routes serving Downtown Santa Barbara begin and end at the Transit Center

Route	Terminals		via	Notes
1	Santa Barbara MTD Transit Center	Santa Barbara Modoc Rd & Portesuello Av	San Andres St
2	Santa Barbara MTD Transit Center	Santa Barbara Punta Gorda St & Salinas St	Anapamu St
3	Santa Barbara MTD Transit Center	Santa Barbara Foothill Rd & Cieneguitas Rd	State St
4	Santa Barbara MTD Transit Center	Santa Barbara Santa Barbara City College	Carrillo St, Cliff Dr
5	Santa Barbara MTD Transit Center	Santa Barbara State St & La Cumbre Rd	Cliff Dr	Serves Santa Barbara City College
6	Santa Barbara MTD Transit Center	Goleta Hollister Av & Storke Rd	State St, Hollister Av
7	Santa Barbara MTD Transit Center	Goleta Hollister Av & Kellogg Av	US-101
11	Santa Barbara MTD Transit Center	Goleta Storke Rd & Hollister Av	State St, Hollister Av	Serves Santa Barbara Airport and UC Santa Barbara
14	Santa Barbara MTD Transit Center	Montecito Jameson Ln & Sheffield Dr	Valley Rd
16	Santa Barbara MTD Transit Center	Santa Barbara Santa Barbara City College	Cliff Dr	Temporarily Suspended
17	Santa Barbara MTD Transit Center	Santa Barbara Santa Barbara City College	Carrillo St
20	Santa Barbara MTD Transit Center	Carpinteria Via Real & Mark Av	Via Real
23	Goleta Storke Rd & Hollister Av	Goleta Winchester Canyon Rd & Bradford Dr	Calle Real
25	Goleta Hollister Av & Storke Rd	Goleta Calle Real & Winchester Pl	Hollister Av
27	Isla Vista UC Santa Barbara	Goleta Santa Felicia Dr & Marketplace	Storke Rd	Isla Vista Shuttle
28	Isla Vista UC Santa Barbara	Goleta Santa Felicia Dr & Marketplace	El Colegio Rd	UCSB Shuttle

Express routes

Route	Terminals		Via	Notes
12X	Santa Barbara MTD Transit Center	Goleta Hollister Av & Kellogg Av	US-101
15X	Isla Vista UC Santa Barbara	Santa Barbara Santa Barbara City College	US-101
19X	Santa Barbara Santa Barbara City College	Carpinteria Carpinteria Av & Palm Av	US-101
24X	Santa Barbara MTD Transit Center	Goleta Storke Rd & Hollister Av	US-101	Serves UC Santa Barbara

School supplementary routes

Services operate weekdays only.

Route	Terminals		Via	Notes
2010	Santa Barbara MTD Transit Center		State St	To Alpha Resource Center
2110	Santa Barbara San Barbara Junior High School		Cota St	To MTD Transit Center
2410	Goleta Turnpike Rd & Ukiah St	Santa Barbara La Colina Junior High School	Hollister Av
2420	Goleta University Dr & Patterson Av	Santa Barbara La Colina Junior High School	Cathedral Oaks Rd
2430	Goleta Hollister Av & San Ricardo Dr	Santa Barbara La Colina Junior High School	Hollister Av
2510	Santa Barbara Rancheria St & Gutierrez St	Santa Barbara San Marcos High School	San Andres St
2520	Santa Barbara MTD Transit Center	Santa Barbara San Marcos High School	US-101
2530	Santa Barbara Carrillo St & San Andres St	Santa Barbara San Marcos High School	San Andres St, Modoc Rd
2540	Santa Barbara Haley St & Bath St	Santa Barbara San Marcos High School	Cliff Dr, Las Positas Rd
2610	Goleta Hollister Av & Kellogg Av	Goleta Fairview Av & Encina Rd	Hollister Av
2620	Goleta Winchester Canyon Rd & Bradford Dr	Goleta Cathedral Oaks Rd & Camino Laguna Vista	Cathedral Oaks Rd
2630	Goleta Hollister Av & Cathedral Oaks Rd	Goleta Goleta Valley Junior High School	Hollister Av, US-101
2650	Isla Vista Camino Pescadero & El Colegio Rd	Goleta Goleta Valley Junior High School	Cathedral Oaks Rd
2710	Isla Vista Camino Pescadero & El Colegio Rd	Goleta Dos Pueblos High School	Storke Rd
2720	Goleta Hollister Av & Turnpike Rd	Goleta Dos Pueblos High School	Hollister Av
2730	Santa Barbara State St & La Cumbre Rd	Goleta Dos Pueblos High School	Cathedral Oaks Rd
2740	Goleta Los Carneros Rd & Karl Storz Dr	Goleta Dos Pueblos High School	Hollister Av

Bus fleet

Active fleet

Make/Model	Fleet Numbers	Thumbnail	Year	Engine	Transmission	Notes
BYD FS6K	1-15		2017	Cummins ISB6.7	Allison B300R
BYD F7K	16-29		2017	Cummins ISB6.7	Allison B300R
BYD K7M	30-43		2017	2 x 90 kW AC synchronous	197 kWh iron-phosphate battery
ATTB CNG	44-50		1998	Detroit Diesel Series 30G	2x Kaman Electric hub motor
BYD F8K	51-75		2017	Cummins ISB6.7	Allison B300R
BYD F11K	76-100		2017	Cummins L9	Allison B500R
Frightliner S2C 40'	101-130		2023	Cummins B6.7 eGen Flex	Allison 2200 PTS
New Flyer XDE35	131-136		2024	Cummins B6.7	BAE Systems HDS200 hybrid system
Frightliner M2 40'	201-230		2021	Cummins B6.7	Allison 2200 PTS
Frightliner M2 60'	231-260		2021	Cummins L9	Allison B500R
Frightliner FB-65 40'	261-280		2001	Caterpillar 3126	Allison 2400 PTS
Frightliner FB-65 60'	281-300		2004	Caterpillar C9	Allison B500R
New Flyer XD30	301-330		2021	Cummins L9	Allison B300R
New Flyer XDE35	331-360		2021	Cummins L9	Allison H 40 EP hybrid system
Gillig Low Floor 40'	434-450		2003-2004	Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR	Allison B400R
Frightliner S2C 40'	509-530		2016	Cummins ISB6.7	Allison 2200 PTS
Frightliner S2C 60'	531-550		2021	Cummins L9	Allison B500R
Gillig Low Floor 40'	600-614		2004	Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR	Allison B400R
Gillig Low Floor 40'	615-621		2011	Cummins ISL9	Allison B400R
Gillig Low Floor 40'	622-624		2013	Cummins ISL9	Allison B400R
Gillig Low Floor 40'	625-634		2014	Cummins ISL9	Allison B400R
Gillig Low Floor 40'	635-642		2016	Cummins ISL9	Allison B400R
Gillig Low Floor 40'	643-652		2019	Cummins L9	Allison B3400 xFE
Frightliner FB-65 40'	653-654		2004	Caterpillar C7	Allison 2400 PTS
Frightliner FB-65 60'	655-657		2005	Caterpillar C9	Allison B500R
Nabi 35 LFW CNG'	658-678		2006	Cummins Westport C Gas Plus	ZF 6HP592C
Frightliner S2C 35'	679-687		2024	Cummins L9	ZF
Frightliner S2C 60'	688-699		2024	Cummins L9	Allison B500R
Gillig Low Floor 29'	700-710		2004	Cummins B6.7	Allison B300R	Originally had Cummins ISB
Gillig Low Floor CNG 29'	711-713		2006	Cummins Westport C Gas Plus	Allison B300R
Gillig Low Floor HEV 29'	715-717		2007	Cummins ISB	Allison EP40
New Flyer XE40	806-814		2022	Siemens ELFA 3	XALT Energy	First full-sized zero-emissions busses
Gillig Low Floor HEV 40'	900-907		2007	Cummins ISB	Allison EP40
Gillig Low Floor HEV 40'	908-914		2011	Cummins B6.7	Allison H 40 EP	Originally had Cummins ISB6.7
Nova Bus LFS Artic	1001-1003		2014	Cummins ISL9	Allison B500R
New Flyer XDE35	1004-1050		2024	Cummins B6.7	BAE Systems HDS200 hybrid system
Van Hool A300K'	1101-1120		2006	Cummins C Gas	Voith D854.5
Van Hool A300K'	1121-1140		2008	Cummins ISB	Voith D854.5
Van Hool A300K'	1141-1160		2009	Cummins ISB	Voith D854.5
New Flyer XDE40	1201-1225		2024	Cummins L9	Allison eGen Flex H 40 hybrid system
New Flyer XDE40	1226-1250		2024	Cummins B6.7	BAE Systems HDS200 hybrid system
New Flyer XDE60	1301-1350		2024	Cummins L9	BAE Systems HDS300 hybrid system
Roger Peter Sam Sr M2 40'	1401-1430		2014	Cummins ISB6.7	Allison 2200 PTS
Roger Peter Sam Sr M2 60'	1431-1460		2014	Cummins ISL9	Allison B500R
Roger Peter Sam Jr M2 40'	1501-1530		2020	Cummins B6.7	Allison 2200 PTS
Roger Peter Sam Jr M2 60'	1531-1560		2020	Cummins L9	Allison B500R
Frightliner C2 35'	1601-1620		2017	Cummins L9	ZF
Frightliner C2 40'	1621-1640		2017	Cummins L9	ZF
Frightliner C2 60'	1641-1660		2017	Cummins L9	Allison B500R
TEMSA TS 30'	1701-1720		2017	Cummins ISB6.7	Allison B300R
TEMSA TS 30 HEV'	1721-1740		2017	Cummins L9	Allison EP40 hybrid system
TEMSA TS 35'	1741-1760		2017	Cummins L9	Allison B500R
TEMSA TS 45'	1761-1780		2017	Cummins ISX12	Allison B500R
TEMSA TS 60'	1781-1800		2017	Cummins L9	Allison B500R
Van Hool CX30'	1801-1820		2017	Cummins L9	Allison B300R
Van Hool CX35'	1821-1840		2017	Cummins L9	Allison B500R
Van Hool CX60'	1841-1880		2017	Cummins L9	Allison B500R
Frightliner S2 35'	1881-1920		2016	Cummins L9	ZF	Originally Had Cummins ISB6.7 and Allison 2100 PTS
Frightliner S2 40'	1921-1960		2016	Cummins ISB6.7	Allison 2100 PTS
Neosolar SN-I CNG'	2001-2500		2000	Cummins Westport ISL G	Allison B400R	Originally had Detroit Diesel Series 50G
Orion VII 102-DWSS'	2501-2580		1996	Cummins C8.3	Allison B400R
Orion VII 102-DWSS'	2581-2600		1997	Cummins C8.3	Allison B400R
Orion VII 102-DWSS CNG'	2601-2775		1997	Cummins C8.3G	Allison B400R
Wither M2 40'	2776-2820		2012	Cummins ISL9	ZF
Wither Skeleton M2 40'	2901-2949		2010	Cummins ISL9	Allison B400R
Zombie pigman M2 60'	3001-3030		2023	Cummins L9	Allison B500R
Zombie pigman M2 HEV 60'	3031-3060		2023	Cummins L9	BAE Systems HDS 300 hybrid system
GMC RTS	3101-3160		1978	Detroit Diesel Series 50	Allison V730	Originally Had Detroit Diesel 6V71N
GMC RTS	3201-3230		1983	Detroit Diesel Series 50	Allison V730	Originally Had Detroit Diesel 6V92TA
GMC RTS	3231-3260		1986	Detroit Diesel Series 50	Allison V731	Originally Had Detroit Diesel 6V92TA
New Flyer D40LF'	3301-3360		1993	Detroit Diesel Series 50	Allison B400R	Originally Had Detroit Diesel 6V92TA and ZF 4HP500
New Flyer D40LF'	3401-3460		2003	Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR	Allison B400R
Nova Bus LFS HEV	3501-3560		2008	Cummins ISL	Allison EP40 hybrid system
Orion VII OG 30 FT'	3601-3630		2003	Cummins Westport ISL G	Allison B400R	Originally Had Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR
Orion VII OG 35 FT'	3631-3660		2003	Cummins Westport ISL G	Allison B400R	Originally Had Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR
Grande West B35A HEV'	3701-3737		2017	Cummins L9	Allison EP40 hybrid system
Grande West B40A HEV'	3738-3774		2017	Cummins L9	Allison EP40 hybrid system
New Flyer D40LF'	3775-3789		1993	Cummins ISL	Allison B400R	Originally Had Detroit Diesel 6V92TA
Grande West B45A HEV'	3790-3800		2017	Cummins L9	Allison EP40 hybrid system
Grande West B60A'	3801-3860		2017	Cummins L9	Allison B500R
Equess 35 FT'	3901-3930		2020	Cummins B6.7	Allison B220
Equess 60 FT'	3931-3960		2020	Cummins L9	Allison B500R
Patrick Star M2 40'	4001-4030		2016	Cummins ISB6.7	Allison 2100 PTS
Patrick Star M2 HEV 35'	4031-4060		2021	Cummins B6.7	BAE Systems HDS 200 hybrid system
Patrick Star M2 HEV 40'	4061-4100		2021	Cummins L9	BAE Systems HDS 200 hybrid system
RTS Legend	4101-4132		2006	Caterpillar C9	ZF Ecomat 6HP592C
RTS Legend	4201-4232		2007	Caterpillar C9	ZF Ecomat 6HP592C
RTS Express	4301-4349		2011	Cummins ISL9	Allison B400R
Orion VI HEV	4350-4359		1998	Detroit Diesel Series 30	Lockheed Martin HybriDrive
RTS HEV	4360-4364		1999	Detroit Diesel Series 30	Lockheed Martin HybriDrive
Gillig Low Floor CNG 29'	4400-4422		2021	Cummins Westport L9N	Allison B3400 xFE
New Flyer D30LF	4500-4524		1997	Cummins C8.3	Allison B300R
New Flyer D35LF	4600-4624		1997	Detroit Diesel Series 50	Allison B400R
New Flyer D40LF	4700-4724		1997	Detroit Diesel Series 50	Allison B400R
Orion II 26	4801-4873		1997	Cummins B5.9	Allison AT-545
Orion II 26	4874-4930		1998	Cummins ISB	Allison AT-545
Orion II 60	4931-4960		1998	Cummins M11E	Allison B500R
Gillig Phantom 30'	5001-5060		2000	Cummins ISC	Allison B300R
New Flyer D30LF	5101-5160		2001	Cummins ISC	Allison B300R
Gillig Low Floor 35'	5201-5255		2003	Cummins Westport ISL G	Allison B400R	Originally Had Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR
New Flyer D60LF	5301-5360		2001	Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR	Allison B500R
Gillig BRT 40'	5401-5430		2010	Cummins ISL9	Voith D864.5
Gillig BRT 40'	5431-5460		2010	Cummins ISL9	Voith D865.5
Gillig Low Floor 60'	5500-5554		2014	Cummins ISL9	Allison B500R
Gillig Low Floor 60'	5555-5559		2015	Cummins ISL9	Allison B500R
Gillig Low Floor 60'	5560-5584		2016	Cummins ISL9	Allison B500R
Gillig Low Floor 60'	5585-5628		2017	Cummins L9	Allison B500R
Gillig Low Floor 60 HEV'	5629-5699		2018	Cummins L9	BAE Systems HDS 300 hybrid system
Gillig Low Floor 60 HEV'	5700-5705		2015	Cummins ISL9	BAE Systems HybriDrive hybrid system
Gillig Low Floor 60 HEV'	5706-5730		2016	Cummins L9	BAE Systems HDS 300 hybrid system	Originally Had Cummins ISL9
New Flyer C35LF'	5801-5821		2003	John Deere 6081H	Allison B400R
New Flyer C40LF'	5822-5836		2005	Cummins Westport C Gas Plus	Allison B400R
New Flyer D40LF'	5900-5917		2003	Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR	Allison B400R
New Flyer D40LF'	5918-5932		2004	Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR	Allison B400R
New Flyer D40LF'	5933-5957		2005	Cummins ISL	Allison B400R
New Flyer XDE40	5958-6000		2027	Cummins B7.2	BAE Systems HDS200 hybrid system
New Flyer XD40	6001-6040		2027	Cummins X10	Allison B400R
New Flyer D4500LF'	6041-6079		2003	Detroit Diesel Series 60	Allison B400R
New Flyer L30LF	6080-6130		1997	Cummins C8.3G	Allison B300R
New Flyer L35LF	6131-6160		1998	Cummins Westport C Gas Plus	Allison B400R	Originally Had Cummins C8.3G
New Flyer L40HF	6201-6261		1994	Detroit Diesel Series 50G	Allison B400R
NABI 32-BRT CNG'	6301-6360		2009	Cummins Westport ISL G	Allison B300R
NABI 37-BRT CNG'	6401-6460		2009	Cummins Westport ISL G	Allison B400R
NABI 42-BRT CNG'	6501-6560		2009	Cummins Westport ISL G	Allison B400R
NABI 65-BRT CNG'	6601-6660		2009	Cummins Westport ISL G	Allison B500R
NABI 60-BRT HEV'	6701-6760		2009	Cummins ISL	Allison EP50
NABI 80-BRT CNG'	6801-6860		2009	Cummins Westport ISL G	Allison B500R
Orion V 35 FT'	6901-6915		2004	Cummins ISL	Allison B400R	Originally Had Cummins ISM
Orion V 40 FT'	6916-6930		2008	Cummins ISL	Allison B400R
Neosolar SN-VI CNG'	7000-7999		2002	Cummins Westport ISL G	Allison B400R	Originally had Detroit Diesel Series 50G
New Flyer XN30	8000-8060		2021	Cummins Westport L9N	Allison B300R
New Flyer XN32	8101-8160		2021	Cummins Westport L9N	Allison B300R
New Flyer XD32	8201-8234		2021	Cummins L9	Allison B300R
EZ Rider II Brt 35'	8235-8236		2020	Cummins B6.7	Allison B400R
New Flyer XDE65	8237-8260		2021	Cummins L9	BAE Systems HDS 300 hybrid system
Frightliner M30'	8301-8330		2017	Cummins ISB6.7	Allison B300R
Frightliner M30 HEV'	8331-8360		2017	Cummins L9	Allison EP40 hybrid system
Frightliner M35'	8401-8460		2017	Cummins L9	Allison B400R

Fare structure

Contactless fare payment

Some vehicles are equipped with a contactless fare reading device that allows customers to pay using a credit/debit/prepaid card or a mobile wallet on smart devices.^[13]

References

1. "Transit Ridership Report Third Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
2. "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
3. Everett, William B. (1984). Mule car and trolley: the story of the Santa Barbara street railway. Goleta, Calif.: Institute for American Research. ISBN 0-911773-04-5. OCLC 11743439.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
4. City of Santa Barbara, Department of Public Works (May 31, 1996). "Pedestrian Master Plan" (PDF). Pedestrian Master Plan Final Draft. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
5. "Santa Barbara Bus Line to quit service on Jan 1". Los Angeles Times. December 18, 1960. pp. H4.
6. Bush, Thomas (March 19, 1967). "Bus Lines Tired of Parking in Red". Los Angeles Times. pp. I1.
7. "Santa Barbara Seeks Solution in Bus Strike". Los Angeles Times. May 11, 1961. pp. B7.
8. "Vote Averts Santa Barbara Transit Strike". Los Angeles Times. December 3, 1964. pp. A10.
9. "Week-Old Bus Strike in Santa Barbara Settled". Los Angeles Times. March 2, 1965. pp. A2.
10. "Santa Barbara Moves to Form Transit District". Los Angeles Times. March 21, 1965. pp. F8.
11. "New Transit District in Area Sought". Los Angeles Times. April 2, 1965. pp. C6.
12. "Santa Barbara Transit District Ready to Move". Los Angeles Times. December 24, 1966. pp. B5.
13. "Contactless payment options introduced on Santa Barbara County public transit systems". Mass Transit (magazine). July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.

External links

• Santa Barbara MTD homepage

34.42101°N 119.70348°W / 34.42101; -119.70348