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Welcome
Aboard!
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Monterey Salinas Transit (MST). Our goal is to provide Monterey County
residents and visitors with high-quality transit service. This Rider’s
Guide is designed to help you take full advantage of our services. If you
have any questions or would like help planning your trip, please
contact us. |
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HOW YOUR TRANSIT SYSTEM WORKS
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Monterey-Salinas Transit provides bus service to the
greater Monterey and Salinas areas, as far south as King City and Big Sur and as far north as
Watsonville and San Jose. Service originates from two primary locations-the
Monterey Transit Plaza, in central Monterey, and the Salinas Transit Center,
in downtown Salinas (see maps below). From these two locations, the bus
lines branch out like spokes on a wheel. Service also originates from the
Marina Transit Exchange and the Edgewater Transit Exchange in Sand City. On
most lines, the bus travels out to its terminal, the end of the “spoke”
then returns to its point of origin.
The Watsonville lines connect with Santa Cruz
Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) at the Watsonville Transit Center in downtown
Watsonville.
Line 55 Monterey - San Jose Express connects with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) in downtown San Jose and the Gilroy, Morgan Hill and Diridon Caltrain Stations. |
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Click the above picture to
view enlarged maps.
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EMERGENCY GUARANTEED RIDE HOME (EGRH) |
Commute Alternatives, a program of the Association for Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG), provides a guaranteed ride home in an emergency to registered users who use alternative transportation to get to work. The EGRH program is available to commuters who live or work in Monterey County and who ride the bus, car pool, vanpool, ride a bicycle or walk to work at least one day a week. In order to participate, you must first register with Commute Alternatives by calling (831) 422-POOL (7665). This service will reimberse you up to $60 for a ride in a taxi or a rental car in case of an emergency, such as personal illness or a sick family member, a serious problem at a child's school or day care, or if you have to unexpectedly work late at the request of your supervisor. To download an EGRH application form (PDF), click on the icon below.
 Click Here To Get Adobe Reader
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How to
Ride the Bus
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The following steps will answer some common questions and help make your trip a pleasant one.
If you have questions about bus stop locations or route planning, please feel free to contact us.
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1. WHERE
DO I CATCH THE BUS?
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Bus stops are
identified with an MST sign. Check the sign for which bus lines stop
there.
Signal the coach operator to stop by standing-up at a bench or shelter
when the bus approaches. Please be at the stop to signal that you want to
board.
Arrive at your stop a few minutes early so you can be in place to signal
the bus. Have your fare, pass or ticket ready when boarding.
For your safety, buses stop only at designated MST bus stops.
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2. WHICH BUS DO I TAKE?
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Find your route in the pop up menu to determine which
bus lines will take you to your destination. You may need to transfer from
one line to another to reach that destination. Click here for transit center boarding locations.
Identify your bus by looking for the bus line number and direction in the
sign above the windshield. Buses headed toward a transit center or transit
exchange will say Salinas, Monterey, Marina or Edgewater. Buses headed
toward other destinations will state the furthermost stop in that
direction. See the following examples.
Before boarding, check the sign to make sure it is the
bus you want to take. If you are not sure, ask the coach operator to help
you.
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3. WHEN WILL THE BUS
ARRIVE?
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The schedules for each bus
line are on this Web Site. They are listed by line number.
See the listing under “Routes & Schedules”.
Each line has a map and departure schedule with timepoints for several
stops along its route. The buses travel through the schedule from the left
to the right. The timepoints in the schedule correspond with the timepoints
shown on the map. To know when to be at a stop that is between two
timepoints, use the timepoint before your stop.
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4. HOW DO I PAY?
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You can use cash, tickets, or passes on all MST buses. Cash must be the
exact fare as coach operators do not carry change. Have your payment ready
when you board. Cash and tickets go in the farebox. Show your pass to the
driver.
If you are using a
discounted fare (65 or older, 18 or under, disabled), the coach operator may
ask to see your ID. Click here for pass
details.
If you will need to change buses to reach your destination, request a
transfer when you board and pay your fare.
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5. WHAT IS A TRANSFER?
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A transfer allows
you to complete your trip or travel anywhere within a single zone.
Transfers are 25¢ / 10¢ for discount customers. Ask the coach operator for a transfer when
you first board and pay your fare.
Present the transfer to
the coach operator of the bus that will take you to your next destination.
Please note:
Unfortunately, transfer connections can not be guaranteed due to traffic
delays or other circumstances beyond MST's control.
Transfer Rules:
MST issued transfers are valid for travel on MST buses to any location and direction until time of expiration within zone(s) paid.
Transfers are valid only on date of issue and when used by passenger to whom issued and are issued only at time fare is paid.
Sale, exchange, or willful misuse of any MST issued transfer shall constitute fraud.
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6. WHERE DO
I SIT?
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After paying your
fare, quickly move to a vacant seat. Please be aware that seniors and
disabled persons have priority to the seats directly behind the coach
operator.
If all seats are taken, hold on to the grab rails.
Please offer your seat to someone who may have difficulty standing on a
moving bus if you are able to stand comfortably.
For more Safe Riding Tips click here.
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7. LEAVING THE BUS
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Watch for your destination
or ask the coach operator to call it out as the bus approaches that stop.
Signal the coach operator that you wish to get off at the next stop by
pulling the cord above or between the windows.
When the bus stops, get up and exit through the rear doors when possible.
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