MTS pumps up trolley service for key games ahead at Petco Park

The Padres are gearing up for a big week-long home stand against divisional rivals, opening Monday, attracting sellout crowds for all seven games – and MTS is on the case.

To move more than 280,000 fans visiting Petco Park over the seven-game stretch – four with the Giants and three with the Dodgers – the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System is providing extra trolley service before and after each game, helping fans avoid gridlock and serious parking fees.

Pre-game service, for all seven games – all evening starts, except for Thursday and Sunday matinees – includes trolleys serving all stations every 15 minutes or better, MTS said in a news release. Extra service will be added to the Green Line closer to game time.

Post-game for the night games:

• UC San Diego Blue Line – Trolleys will depart downtown every 15 minutes to San Ysidro and to UTC.
• Green Line – Trolleys will depart downtown every 15 minutes, with extra trips as needed from the Gaslamp Quarter Station until crowds diminish.
• Orange Line – Trolleys will depart downtown every 15 minutes after the game ends until crowds diminish.

And in post-game service for the Thursday and Sunday day games:

• UC San Diego Blue Line – Trolleys will depart downtown every 7.5 minutes to San Ysidro and 15 minutes to UTC after Thursday’s game and every 15 minutes (both directions) after the Sunday game.
• Green Line – Trolleys will depart downtown every 15 minutes, with extra trips as needed from Gaslamp Quarter Station until crowds diminish.
• Orange Line – Trolleys will depart 12th & Imperial every 15 minutes after the game ends.

Fans can park at one of MTS’ free Park & Ride lots throughout the trolley system. Five convenient locations are:

• Old Town Transit Center (Green Line and UC San Diego Blue Line North – 400 free parking spots)
  • Overflow parking option across the street at Caltrans District 11 – After 5 p.m. weekdays & all weekend only (4050 Taylor St. with 300 free parking spots)
• Grossmont Transit Center (Green Line and Orange Line – 220 free parking spots)
• H Street (UC San Diego Blue Line South – 300 free parking spots)
• E Street (UC San Diego Blue Line South – 265 free parking spots)
• Tecolote Station (UC San Diego Blue Line North – 275 free parking spots)

There are a number of ways to pay MTS fares – and freebies too.

• Contactless – Tap a credit card or other contactless payment options, such as a smartphone or smartwatch, on a station validator to pay for a one-way ride ($2.50, valid for two hours). This allows fans to bypass the ticket machine and speed up boarding.
• Kids ride free – During weekends, two children 12 and under ride for free with every paying adult. Youth ages 18 and under with a registered Youth PRONTO card or app account can ride free with the Youth Opportunity Pass.
• PRONTO – Fans can download the app in advance and load at least $5, which covers a round-trip fare for adult riders. All riders must tap or scan on platform validators to activate their pass prior to boarding. 

One caveat: Every person needs their own payment option. Riders cannot buy fares for multiple people on the same account, card or payment method.