The recent Free Ride Day in San Diego turned the ordinary commute into an extraordinary influx for the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD), as the agencies reported a surge in ridership numbers. Last Wednesday, travelers in San Diego could hop on various modes of transit at no cost, with both agencies observing significant increases from the daily averages. As the Metropolitan Transit System reported, MTS saw its ridership spike by 15.4% from the previous week, with over 300,000 passenger trips marking a post-pandemic high.
NCTD was not left behind, charting a 28% rise in commuters, with the COASTER commuter rail marking its highest ridership since the days before COVID-19 struck this year. Free Ride Day also included their newly launched NCTD+ on-demand micro-transit service, which saw increased usage. However, the exact figures were not detailed in the report. The event's popularity was punctuated by an estimated 19,000 trolley trips to and from Petco Park for the Padres game against the Braves.
Local leaders celebrate the event as a sign that San Diegans want more public transit and care about the environment. "Free Ride Day is a great way to gauge interest in transit use and it is clear that San Diego residents will support, ride and embrace a great transit system," said MTS Board Chair Stephen Whitburn. NCTD Board Chair Jewel Edson noted that more public transit means cleaner air, a view shared by SANDAG Vice Chair Lesa Heebner, who encouraged ongoing sustainable choices beyond special events, as cited by Metropolitan Transit System.
With gas prices close to $5 and high parking fees in busy areas, Free Ride Day offered an affordable way to travel. The event aimed to promote public transit as a way to save money, with a report showing that people could save up to $15,000 a year. Mission Federal Credit Union sponsored the fare-free day through its "Community is Everything" initiative, highlighting its commitment to community health and a cleaner environment.
