The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) is a public transit agency providing bus service in the southern portion of Santa Barbara County, California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

. It serves the cities of Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...

, Carpinteria

Carpinteria, California

Carpinteria is a small oceanside city located in southeastern Santa Barbara County, California, east of Santa Barbara and northwest of Ventura. The population was 13,040 at the 2010 census, down from 14,194 at the 2000 census....

, and Goleta

Goleta, California

Goleta is a city in southern Santa Barbara County, California, USA. It was incorporated as a city in 2002, after a long period as the largest unincorporated, populated area in the county. As of the 2000 census, the Census-designated place had a total population of 55,204, however, a significant...

 as well as the unincorporated areas of Montecito

Montecito, California

Montecito is an unincorporated community in Santa Barbara County, California. As a census-designated place, it had a population of 8,965 in 2010. This does not include areas such as Coast Village Road, that, while usually considered part of Montecito, are actually within the city limits of Santa...

,
Summerland

Summerland, California

Summerland is a census-designated place in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. The population was 1,448 at the 2010 census, down from 1,545 at the 2000 census.The town includes a school and a Presbyterian Church...

, and Isla Vista

Isla Vista, California

Isla Vista is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Santa Barbara County, California in the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 23,096. The majority of residents are college students at nearby University of California, Santa Barbara or at Santa...

.

Limited commuter service is provided to Buellton

Buellton, California

Buellton is a small city in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. The city of Buellton is one of the communities that make up the Santa Ynez Valley...

 and Solvang

Solvang, California

Solvang is a city in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. It is one of the communities that make up the Santa Ynez Valley. The population was 5,245 at the 2010 census, down from 5,332 at the 2000 census...

 through the Valley Express

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.
In the late 1950's and 60's, Santa Barbara Transit was losing revenue, and repeatedly threatened to go out of business.
Strikes were also a problem, as the company could not afford to pay its employees.

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.
Voters approved the formation of the MTD in 1966.

However, since the new district had no funds, bus service didn't start until 1967.

Over the years, service has expanded, particularly on routes serving the University of California, Santa Barbara

 and Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara City College is a two-year community college founded in 1909. It is located on a campus right over the beach in the city of Santa Barbara, California, USA. SBCC offers associate degrees in English, Social Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, and occupational and...

. Bus schedules were being distributed from 1983 onwards.

In March 2005 MTD implemented peak-hour commuter service (Valley Express) between Solvang/Buellton and the Santa Barbara/Goleta area.

Route 1: Westside

This route serves Carrillo and San Andres on the west side of Santa Barbara. At the transit center, most Route 1 buses become Route 2.

Route 2: Eastside

This route runs to East Santa Barbara via Anapamu and Milpas. Interlined with Route 1.

Route 3: Oak Park

Operates between the Downtown Transit Center and La Cumbre Plaza via De La Vina (outbound) or Bath (inbound), Las Positas, and State St. Also serves Cottage Hospital

Routes 4 and 5: Mesa

Route 5 operates between the Downtown Transit Center and La Cumbre Plaza via Cliff and Las Positas. Route 4 is a loop that operates between Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara City College is a two-year community college founded in 1909. It is located on a campus right over the beach in the city of Santa Barbara, California, USA. SBCC offers associate degrees in English, Social Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, and occupational and...

 and the Transit Center via Carillo and Cliff.

Serves Santa Barbara City College.

Route 6: State/Hollister/Goleta

This route serves State Street in Santa Barbara and Hollister Ave. in Goleta. Terminates at the Camino Real Marketplace near Hollister and Storke

Route 8: Calle Real

Operates between Downtown Goleta (Hollister/Pine) and La Cumbre Plaza via Calle Real. Provides service to the County Health Care Services complex. Weekday trips are extended to Downtown Santa Barbara via US-101.

Route 10: Cathedral Oaks

Provides service between Hollister/Storke and La Cumbre Plaza via Cathedral Oaks. Limited service is provided (early morning and afternoon)

Route 11: State/Hollister/UCSB

Like Route 6, starts from Downtown SB and continues via State Hollister, but then turns south on Fairview to serve the Santa Barbara Airport

Santa Barbara Airport

Santa Barbara Airport , also known as Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, is a public airport located west of downtown Santa Barbara, California, United States....

 and the University of California, Santa Barbara

University of California, Santa Barbara

The University of California, Santa Barbara, commonly known as UCSB or UC Santa Barbara, is a public research university and one of the 10 general campuses of the University of California system. The main campus is located on a site in Goleta, California, from Santa Barbara and northwest of Los...

. From UCSB, alternating trips either become Route 23 or 25.

Together with Route 6, Route 11 forms the trunk of the SBMTD system.

Route 12x: State/Hollister/UCSB Express

Uses the US-101 Freeway between Downtown Santa Barbara and Downtown Goleta, then continues on Hollister to Storke, where it interlines with Route 24.

Route 14: Montecito

Route 14 connects Downtown Santa Barbara and the Eastside (Milpas St) with Montecito, looping via Olive Mill, San Ysidro, Sheffield and North Jameson.

Route 15x: SBCC/UCSB Express

This route does double duty, serving Isla Vista commuters to Santa Barbara City College, then looping via the Mesa area (Cliff/Meigs) for passengers going to UCSB. No service is provided when either school is not in session.

Route 16: City College Shuttle

Provides a quick trip between Downtown and the City College. Not in operation when SBCC is not in session.

Route 19: School Boosters

Several short routes serving area schools. These typically provide one round trip per schoolday. These routes are open to the general public.

Route 20: Carpinteria

Local service between Downtown Santa Barbara and Carpinteria via Eastside Santa Barbara, US-101 and Via Real. Also serves Coast Village Road and southern Montecito

Montecito, California

Montecito is an unincorporated community in Santa Barbara County, California. As a census-designated place, it had a population of 8,965 in 2010. This does not include areas such as Coast Village Road, that, while usually considered part of Montecito, are actually within the city limits of Santa...

. It is the only bus that runs through Summerland

Summerland, California

Summerland is a census-designated place in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. The population was 1,448 at the 2010 census, down from 1,545 at the 2000 census.The town includes a school and a Presbyterian Church...

.

Route 21x: Carpinteria Express

Like Route 20 above, but runs nonstop on US-101 between Downtown Santa Barbara and Carpinteria (no service to Montecito or Summerland). Peak hour weekday service, and some limited weekend service as well.

Route 22: Old Mission

Serves the Santa Barbara Mission from Downtown, via Anapamu and Garden. On weekends, serves the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a 26 ha garden, containing over 1,000 species of rare and indigenous plants. It is located in Mission Canyon, Santa Barbara, California, USA....

 on request (a callbox is available for passengers wanting bus service from the Garden)

Route 23: Winchester Canyon

From UCSB, travels through Isla Vista, then via Storke to the Winchester Canyon residential area north of US-101. Alternating Route 11 trips become Route 23 at UCSB; Route 23 trips change to Route 25 trips at Hollister/Sandpiper and return to UCSB via Hollister and Storke.

Route 24x: UCSB Express

Nonstop service between Downtown Santa Barbara and UCSB, then via Isla Vista and Storke to Hollister, where it interlines with Route 12x. Additional service is provided when UCSB is in session.

Route 25: Ellwood

From UCSB, travels through Isla Vista, then via Storke to Hollister. Alternating Route 11 trips become Route 25 at UCSB; Route 25 trips change to Route 23 trips at Hollister/Sandpiper and return to UCSB via the Winchester Canyon residential area north of US-101, and Storke.

Route 27: UCSB Shuttle

Provides additional service between UCSB and Hollister/Storke when UCSB is in session.

Seaside Shuttle

Loops around Carpinteria, with service provided to the northern areas of the city, as well as to the beach. Connects with Route 20 and 21x.

Downtown Waterfront Shuttle

This is actually two routes. The Downtown route runs along State Street between Stearns Wharf

Stearns Wharf

Stearns Wharf is a pier in the harbor at Santa Barbara, California, USA. When completed In 1872, it became the longest deep-water pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Named for its builder, local lumberman John P...

 and Sola St, near the Arlington Theater

Arlington Theater

The Arlington Theater is the largest movie theater and principal performing arts venue in Santa Barbara, California, USA. In addition to regular screenings and artists, it is home to many events associated with the annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival.- History :Located at 1317 State...

. The Waterfront route operates along Cabrillo between Santa Barbara Harbor and the Santa Barbara Zoo

Santa Barbara Zoo

The Santa Barbara Zoo is located on near the ocean in Santa Barbara, California. It was formerly known as the Child's Estate Zoo. The zoo has been ranked numerous times as one of the nation's best small zoos. It has 600 animals in numerous exhibits, including capybara and Californian Condors, and...

.

This route is partially subsidized by the City of Santa Barbara, and a reduced fare is charged.

Crosstown Shuttle

The Crosstown Shuttle operates between the Westside and Eastside via Micheltorena, Chapala (eastbound) or Anacapa (westbound) and Cota. The City of Santa Barbara sponsors this service.

Calle Real/Old Town Shuttle

Provides shuttle service between Old Town Goleta (Hollister) and the shopping areas on Calle Real, just north of the US-101 Freeway.

Valley Express

A commuter bus system linking Solvang and Buellton with Goleta, Santa Barbara and UCSB. There are currently four round trips provided; going to Santa Barbara in the morning and coming back to Buellton and Solvang in the evening. These routes use comfortable over-the-road coaches.

Fares

Type	Price
Regular One-way	$1.75
Senior/Disabled	$0.85
Blind/Young Children	Free
Transfers	Free, one hour, one way
Special Routes/Lines
Seaside/Downtown Shuttle	$0.25
Valley Express	$5.00
Bus Passes
Adult/Regular (10-ride)	$11.50
Student/Youth	$8.25
Seniors/Disabled (10-ride)	$5.50
Valley Express (10-ride)	$50.00

UCSB and SBCC students with current registration card stickers ride for free during school terms.