The City of Vista and North County Transit District (NCTD) are ushering in a new era of public transportation with the launch of the on-demand service NCTD+. According to a recent announcement on the NCTD website, the new service started running in Vista on May 19. It was inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting event at the Vista Transit Center last Sunday. NCTD CEO Shawn M. Donaghy, Vista Council Member Corinna Contreras, and Assemblymember Laurie Davies were among the officials present to celebrate the introduction of NCTD+.
"Today is an exciting opportunity for Vista residents with the launch of NCTD+. This completes the transportation cycle with safe and inexpensive rides for students, seniors, and families," Assemblymember Laurie Davies said, as reported by NCTD. Covering a 7-square-mile area, NCTD+ will offer rides to key destinations within Vista, including access to three SPRINTER rail stations and 79 BREEZE bus stops. Despite its broad reach, the cost is kept accessible, with a one-way ride to and from SPRINTER stations at $1.50, and trips to other destinations within the zone costing $3.00. Additional riders joining the same booking can come along for a mere $1.50 per person. Following the successful launch, youths 18 and under will enjoy the benefits of free rides.
As per NCTD, CEO Shawn M. Donaghy highlighted the convenience of NCTD+, calling it "perfect for short trips around Vista" and a way to easily connect to the SPRINTER rail service. NCTD+ vehicles are designed for comfort and inclusivity, seating up to eight passengers and ensuring ADA accessibility. With the service operation times set from 6 AM to 8 PM Monday to Friday, and 8 AM to 8 PM on weekends, residents have a flexible schedule to plan their travel. For those interested, non-smartphone users can book via a dedicated mobile app or phone service.
