Transit Options in Santa Barbara County

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Take the Bus or Train to Work

Log bus and train commutes with SmartRide to earn rewards (SmartRide app available for Android and Apple devices).

Many employers offer a fringe benefit that lets you pay up to $325/month for a bus or train commute with tax-free income. Some employers count transit time as work time! Nine transit providers serve workers in Santa Barbara County. Most operate between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Click a provider below see if transit works for your routine.

Weekday routes serve:

  • Lompoc to Goleta at 5:15 a.m., 5:45 a.m., and 6:25 a.m., returning by 5:05 p.m., 5:40 p.m., and 6:20 p.m.
  • Lompoc to Santa Barbara at 6:05 a.m. and 6:35 a.m., returning by 5:50 p.m. and 6:20 p.m.
  • Santa Maria to Goleta at 5 a.m., 5:45 a.m., and 6:15 a.m., returning by 4:55 p.m., 6:05 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
    • Buellton to Goleta at 5:30 a.m. and 6:45 a.m., returning by 4:23 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
  • Santa Maria to Santa Barbara at 5:27 a.m. and 6:27 a.m., returning by 5:55 p.m. and 6:50 p.m.
    • Buellton to Santa Barbara at 5:27 and 6:27 a.m., returning by 5:15 p.m. and 6:10 p.m.
  • Santa Barbara and Goleta to Buellton and Santa Maria at 7:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., returning by 9:20 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.

Fare: $160 / month | $54 10-ride pass | $7 cash

Use your credit card and “Tap-to-Ride” for $6. Your credit card will not be charged more than the daily or monthly pass cost. Physical passes can be purchased at the City of Lompoc (COLT) office, the Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT) office, MTD Transit Center in Santa Barbara, or via mail.

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The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) operates intercity commuter bus service connecting Camarillo, Oxnard, and Ventura residents to Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, and UCSB.

All VCTC buses are wheelchair accessible and have ample bike storage, free passenger Wi-Fi, and reclining seats. Get a reloadable card or download the UMO app to assign value and enjoy contactless payment.

Our Measure A sales tax is helping maintain and expand interregional transit between Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Learn more here.

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The Pacific Surfliner operates northbound trains connecting Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, and Ventura to Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, and Goleta. Southbound trains connect San Luis Obispo and Grover Beach to Guadalupe, Lompoc, Goleta, Santa Barbara, and Carpinteria. Commuters can purchase monthly or 10-ride tickets to save.

Our Measure A sales tax will improve passenger rail service between Ventura County and Goleta. Learn more here.

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Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District enhances the mobility of South Coast residents, connects Santa Barbara County’s South Coast. Use your credit card and “Tap2Ride.” Your credit card will not be charged more than the daily or monthly pass cost.

Our Measure A sales tax is helping maintain and expand Santa Barbara MTD service, connecting South Coast communities. Learn more here.

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Santa Maria Regional Transit service area includes the City of Santa Maria, the unincorporated communities of Orcutt, Tanglewood and regional service to New Cuyama, Lompoc, Vandenberg, Los Alamos, Buellton, Solvang, Santa Ynez and the Chumash reservation.

Download SmrtPay from Apple or Play Store to purchase and store passes.

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SLO Regional Transit Authority offers hourly service from San Luis Obispo County to Allan Hancock College, Marian Medical Center, and the Santa Maria Transit Center.

Download Token Transit from Apple or Play Store to purchase and store passes.

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City of Lompoc Transit provides transit service within Lompoc, Mission Hills, and Vandenberg Village. COLT also operates one round trip to Santa Barbara each Tuesday and Thursday. The Wine Country Express connects Lompoc, Buellton and Solvang with three round trips a day.

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Santa Ynez Valley Transit operates fixed-route services to, from, and around Solvang, Buellton, Santa Ynez, and Los Olivos.

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SMOOTH’s Guadalupe Flyer Express connects Santa Maria Town Center to Guadalupe every hour.

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  • Chumash Casino from Ventura County, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Arroyo Grande
  • Goleta Valley and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospitals from Ventura for 12-hour shift workers

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