# San Diego MTS bus system

The San Diego MTS bus system is a public transport bus service serving San Diego County, California. It is part of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS). The system operates 97 bus routes in San Diego and the rest of the southern half of the county. There are 85 "MTS Bus" fixed-route services, 9 "Rapid" bus rapid transit routes, and the "MTS Access" paratransit service.
Routes are operated by private contractors and by the San Diego Transit Corporation (SDTC), a subsidiary of MTS. SDTC operates 27 routes based out of downtown San Diego (Imperial Avenue Division), Transdev operates 74 routes based out of Chula Vista (South Bay Division) and El Cajon (East County Division), and operates the "MTS Access" paratransit service that are operated with mini-buses based out of Kearny Mesa (Copley Park Division).
All buses and division facilities, even those used by contractors, are owned by MTS. MTS serves San Diego proper and the surrounding East County and South Bay regions, while the North County area is served by the North County Transit District (NCTD)'s BREEZE bus system.

## Routes
### Rapid Routes

| Type | Route | Terminals | Terminals | Via | Annual ridership (FY 2024) | Links | Notes |
| SuperLoop Rapid | 201/202 | University City UTC Transit Center | University City UTC Transit Center | La Jolla Village Dr, Nobel Dr | 2,482,109 | Schedule | Frequent serviceLoop service201 operates counterclockwise202 operates clockwise |
| SuperLoop Rapid | 204 | University City UTC Transit Center | University City UTC Transit Center | Executive Dr, Judicial Dr, Nobel Dr | 67,905 | Schedule | Weekdays onlyLoop service, operates clockwise |
| Rapid | 215 | Downtown San Diego Santa Fe Depot | College Area SDSU Transit Center | El Cajon Bl | 1,411,658 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| Rapid | 225 | Downtown San Diego Santa Fe Depot | Otay Mesa Otay Mesa Transit Center | SR 125, I-805 | 568,724 | Schedule | |
| Rapid | 227 | Imperial Beach Imperial Beach Pier | Otay Mesa Otay Mesa Transit Center | Coronado Av, SR 905 | 586,598 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| Rapid | 235 | Downtown San Diego Santa Fe Depot | Escondido Escondido Transit Center | I-15 | 1,136,605 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| Rapid | 237 | Mira Mesa Miramar College Transit Station | University City UTC Transit Center | Mira Mesa Bl | 181,097 | Schedule | Weekday peak only |
| Rapid Express | 280 | Downtown San Diego Pacific Hwy & Grape St | Escondido Escondido Transit Center | I-15, SR 163 | 50,400 | Schedule | Weekday peak only |
| Rapid Express | 290 | Downtown San Diego Pacific Hwy & Grape St | Rancho Bernardo Rancho Bernardo Transit Station | I-15, SR 163 | 55,296 | Schedule | Weekday peak only |

### Local Routes

| Route | Terminals | Terminals | Via | Annual ridership (FY 2024) | Links | Notes |
| 1 | Mission Valley Fashion Valley Transit Center | La Mesa La Mesa Boulevard station | El Cajon Bl | 811,259 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 2 | Downtown San Diego Front St & B St | North Park 30th St & Adams Av | Broadway, 30th St | 565,968 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 3 | Chollas View Euclid Avenue station | Hillcrest Front St & Arbor Dr | Ocean View Bl | 981,093 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 4 | Downtown San Diego 12th & Imperial Transit Center | Skyline Hills Paradise Valley Rd & Meadowbrook Dr | Imperial Av | 585,628 | Schedule | |
| 5 | Downtown San Diego 10th Av & Broadway | Chollas View Euclid Avenue station | Market St | 444,857 | Schedule | |
| 6 | Mission Valley Fashion Valley Transit Center | North Park 30th St & University Av | Camino De La Reina | 228,268 | Schedule | |
| 7 | Downtown San Diego Front St & B St | Redwood Village University Av & College Av | University Av | 1,878,990 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 8 | Old Town Old Town Transit Center | Clairemont Balboa Avenue Transit Center | Grand Av, Mission Bay Dr | 585,573 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 9/9A | Old Town Old Town Transit Center | Pacific Beach Jewell St & Garnet Av (Monday–Saturday) Mission Bay Park Sea World (Sunday) | Ingraham St, Sea World | 244,269 | Schedule | Route 9A does not enter Sea World |
| 10 | Old Town Old Town Transit Center | Redwood Village University Av & College Av (weekdays) City Heights City Heights Transit Center (weekends) | University Av | 946,336 | Schedule | Makes limited stops east of Albatross St |
| 11 | Downtown San Diego 1st Av & Broadway | College Area SDSU Transit Center | Adams Av, 1st Av | 476,948 | Schedule | |
| 12 | Downtown San Diego City College Transit Center | Skyline Hills Paradise Valley Rd & Meadowbrook Dr | National Av, Skyline Dr | 931,964 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 13 | National City 24th Street station | Grantville Crawford St & Zion Av (Kaiser Hospital) | Fairmount Av | 1,768,897 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 14 | Grantville Grantville station | La Mesa Baltimore Dr & Lake Murray Bl | 70th St, Camino Del Rio | 44,447 | Schedule | Weekdays only |
| 18 | Grantville Grantville station | Grantville Grantville station | Camino Del Rio | 15,178 | Schedule | Weekdays onlyLoop service, operates counterclockwise |
| 20 | Downtown San Diego 10th Av & Broadway | Rancho Bernardo Rancho Bernardo Transit Station | I-15, Fashion Valley Transit Center, SR-163 | 373,818 | Schedule | Express service |
| 25 | Mission Valley Fashion Valley Transit Center | Kearny Mesa Kearny Mesa Transit Center | Aero Dr, SR-163 | 49,386 | Schedule | Weekdays only |
| 27 | Kearny Mesa Kearny Mesa Transit Center | Pacific Beach Bayard St & Garnet Av | Garnet Av, Balboa Av | 246,489 | Schedule | |
| 28 | Old Town Old Town Transit Center | La Playa Anchorage Ln & Shelter Island Dr | Rosecrans St | 237,862 | Schedule | |
| 30 | Old Town Old Town Transit Center | University City UTC Transit Center | La Jolla Bl | 1,141,886 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 31 | University City UTC Transit Center | Mira Mesa Miramar College Transit Station | Miramar Rd | 82,332 | Schedule | Weekday peak only |
| 35 | Old Town Old Town Transit Center | Ocean Beach Cable St & Newport Av | Midway Dr, Cable St | 321,640 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 41 | Mission Valley Fashion Valley Transit Center | Torrey Pines Gilman Transit Center (UCSD) | Genesee Av | 776,659 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 43 | Kearny Mesa Kearny Mesa Transit Center | Clairemont Balboa Avenue Transit Center | Clairemont Mesa Bl | 431,740 | Schedule | |
| 44 | Old Town Old Town Transit Center | Kearny Mesa Kearny Mesa Transit Center | Linda Vista / Mesa College | 769,401 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 60 | University City UTC Transit Center | Chollas View Euclid Avenue station | I-805, I-15, SR-15 | 51,925 | Schedule | Weekday peak onlyExpress service |
| 83 | Old Town Old Town Transit Center | Downtown San Diego America Plaza station | Reynard Way / Mission Hills | 17,222 | Schedule | Weekdays only |
| 84 | Point Loma Cabrillo National Monument | Point Loma Sub Base Gate | Rosencrans St (Sub Base) or Catalina Bl (Cabrillo Monument) | 13,989 | Schedule | Weekdays only |
| 88 | Old Town Old Town Transit Center | Mission Valley Fashion Valley Transit Center | Hotel Circle | 80,323 | Schedule | Monday–Saturday only |
| 105 | Old Town Old Town Transit Center | University City UTC Transit Center (weekdays) Clairemont Clairemont Square (weekday evenings and weekends) | Morena Bl, Clairemont Dr | 192,843 | Schedule | |
| 110 | Downtown San Diego Front St & B St | Mira Mesa Camino Santa Fe & Flanders Dr | I-15, SR-163 | 19,782 | Schedule | Weekday peak onlyExpress service |
| 115 | College Area SDSU Transit Center | El Cajon El Cajon Transit Center | Jackson Dr, Fletcher Pkwy | 196,753 | Schedule | |
| 120 | Downtown San Diego 4th Av & C St | Kearny Mesa Kearny Mesa Transit Center (weekdays) Serra Mesa Sharp Memorial Hospital (weekends) | Fashion Valley Rd, Linda Vista Rd | 486,418 | Schedule | Frequent serviceMakes limited stops south of Fashion Valley Transit Center |
| 701 | Chula Vista H Street station | Chula Vista Palomar Street station | Main St, Hilltop Dr, F St | 326,354 | Schedule | |
| 704 | Chula Vista E Street station | Chula Vista Palomar Street station | Naples St, Orange Av | 342,715 | Schedule | |
| 705 | Chula Vista E Street station | Chula Vista Southwestern College | E St, Otay Lakes Rd | 166,061 | Schedule | Monday–Saturday only |
| 707 | Chula Vista Eastlake Pkwy & Olympic Pkwy | Chula Vista Southwestern College | Eastlake Pkwy | 93,672 | Schedule | Weekdays only |
| 709 | Chula Vista H Street station | Chula Vista Olympic Pkwy & Eastlake Pkwy | H St | 629,790 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 712 | Chula Vista Palomar Street station | Chula Vista Southwestern College | Palomar St | 504,488 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 815 | El Cajon El Cajon Transit Center | El Cajon Main St & Oakdale Av | Main St | 281,414 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 816 | El Cajon El Cajon Transit Center | Rancho San Diego Cuyamaca College | Washington Av, Jamacha Rd | 93,793 | Schedule | Weekdays only |
| 832 | Santee Santee station | Santee Santee station | Cuyamaca St, Woodglen Vista Dr, Magnolia Ave | 35,867 | Schedule | Loop service, operates clockwise |
| 833 | Santee Santee station | El Cajon El Cajon Transit Center | Graves Av | 71,732 | Schedule | |
| 834 | Santee Santee station | Santee Santee station | Mission Gorge Rd | 21,874 | Schedule | Weekdays onlyLoop service, operates clockwise |
| 838 | Granite Hills East County Square | Alpine Viejas Casino | Alpine Bl | 101,651 | Schedule | |
| 848 | El Cajon El Cajon Transit Center | Lakeside Mapleview St & Ashwood St | Winter Gardens Bl | 243,578 | Schedule | |
| 851 | La Mesa Spring Street Station | La Presa Spring Valley Shopping Center | Bancroft Dr, Sweetwater Rd | 55,503 | Schedule | Weekdays only |
| 852 | San Diego Orange Av & 54th St | La Presa Grossmont Transit Center | University Av | 226,043 | Schedule | |
| 854 | La Presa Grossmont Transit Center | El Cajon Grossmont College | Lake Murray Bl | 52,285 | Schedule | Weekdays only |
| 854X | La Presa Grossmont Transit Center | El Cajon Grossmont College | SR-125 | 52,285 | Schedule | Express service. Operates when Grossmont College is in session for Fall and Spring semesters |
| 855 | La Mesa Spring Street station | Rancho San Diego Jamacha Bl & Folex Way | Campo Rd | 184,966 | Schedule | |
| 856 | College Area SDSU Transit Center | Rancho San Diego Cuyamaca College | College Av, Jamacha Bl | 413,132 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 864 | El Cajon El Cajon Transit Center | Granite Hills East County Square | Madison Av | 252,895 | Schedule | |
| 872 | El Cajon El Cajon Transit Center | El Cajon El Cajon Transit Center | Chase Av, Magnolia Av | 34,989 | Schedule | Weekdays onlyLoop service, operates counterclockwise |
| 874/875 | El Cajon El Cajon Transit Center | El Cajon El Cajon Transit Center | Washington Av, Parkway Plaza, Broadway | 244,239 | Schedule | Loop service874 operates clockwise875 operates counterclockwise |
| 901 | Downtown San Diego 3rd Av & B St | Otay Mesa West Iris Avenue Transit Center | Silver Strand Bl | 548,400 | Schedule | |
| 904 | Coronado Glorietta Bl & 2nd Av | Coronado Silver Strand Bl & Av de las Arenas | Orange Av | 43,871 | Schedule | During summer: frequent service, fare-free |
| 905 | Otay Mesa West Iris Avenue Transit Center | Otay Mesa Otay Mesa Transit Center | SR 905, Otay Mesa Rd | 286,779 | Schedule | |
| 906/907 | Otay Mesa West Iris Avenue Transit Center | San Ysidro San Ysidro Transit Center | Beyer Bl, San Ysidro Bl, Calle Primera | 1,034,266 | Schedule | Frequent serviceLoop service906 operates clockwise907 operates counterclockwise |
| 909 | Otay Mesa Otay Mesa Transit Center | Otay Mesa Southwestern College Otay Mesa | Otay Mesa Rd, Britannia Bl | 38,606 | Schedule | Weekdays only |
| 910 | Downtown San Diego Santa Fe Depot | San Ysidro San Ysidro Transit Center | I-5 | | Schedule | Night owl express service only while the Blue Line Trolley are not operated on night owl service. |
| 916/917 | Chollas View Euclid Avenue station | Chollas View Euclid Avenue station | Streamview Dr, Massachusetts Av | 118,051 | Schedule | Loop service916 operates clockwise917 operates counterclockwise |
| 921 | San Diego UTC Transit Center | Mira Mesa Miramar College Transit Station | Mira Mesa Bl, Barnes Canyon Rd | 205,005 | Schedule | Weekdays only |
| 921A | Torrey Pines Gilman Transit Center (UCSD) | Mira Mesa Miramar College Transit Station | Mira Mesa Bl, Mesa Verde Park | 205,005 | Schedule | Weekends only |
| 923 | Ocean Beach Point Loma Av & Sunset Cliffs Bl | Downtown San Diego 9th Av & C St | Voltaire St, Harbor Dr | 132,019 | Schedule | Weekdays only |
| 928 | Kearny Mesa Kearny Mesa Transit Center | Mission Valley Fashion Valley Transit Center | Ruffin Rd | 139,873 | Schedule | |
| 929 | Otay Mesa West Iris Avenue Transit Center | Downtown San Diego 1st Av & Broadway | Highland Av, 3rd Av | 1,367,791 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 932 | National City 8th Street station | Otay Mesa West Iris Avenue Transit Center | National City Bl, Broadway | 690,942 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 933/934 | Otay Mesa West Iris Avenue Transit Center | Otay Mesa West Iris Avenue Transit Center | Imperial Beach Bl / Palm Av | 1,208,025 | Schedule | Frequent serviceLoop service933 operates counterclockwise934 operates clockwise |
| 936 | College Area SDSU Transit Center | Spring Valley Orville St & Brucker Av | College Grove / Skyline Drive | 321,655 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 944 | Sabre Springs Sabre Springs Transit Station | Poway Hilleary Pl / Hilleary Park Dr | Poway Rd | 42,692 | Schedule | Monday–Saturday only |
| 945/945A | Rancho Bernardo Rancho Bernardo Transit Station | Poway Temple St / Midland Rd | Pomerado Rd, Poway Rd | 93,021 | Schedule | Monday–Saturday only945A operates weekday peak-only via Espola Rd to serve Poway High School |
| 955 | National City 8th Street station | College Area SDSU Transit Center | 43rd St / Euclid Avenue station / 54th St | 922,412 | Schedule | |
| 961 | National City 24th Street station | Encanto Encanto/62nd Street station | 30th St / Plaza Bonita / Woodman St | 445,541 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 962 | National City 8th Street station | Spring Valley Orville St & Brucker Av | Plaza Bl / Paradise Valley Rd | 409,622 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 963 | National City 8th Street station | Paradise Hills Saipan Dr & Potomac St | Plaza Bl / Reo Drive | 117,463 | Schedule | Frequent service |
| 964 | Mira Mesa Camino Ruiz & Capricorn Way | Scripps Ranch Alliant International University | Miramar College Transit Station | 97,178 | Schedule | Weekdays only |
| 965 | City Heights City Heights Transit Plaza | City Heights City Heights Transit Plaza | University Av / Azalea Park / Home Av | 42,313 | Schedule | Monday–Saturday onlyLoop service, operates counterclockwise |
| 967 | National City 8th Street station | Alta Vista Division St & Ava St | D Av / Division St | 30,922 | Schedule | Weekdays only |
| 968 | National City 8th Street station | National City Westfield Plaza Bonita | 4th St / Euclid Av | 46,478 | Schedule | Weekdays only |
| 985 | University City UC San Diego Central Campus station | Torrey Pines Torreyana Rd & Science Park Rd | N Torrey Pines Rd | 28,471 | Schedule | Weekday peak only |
| 992 | East Village City College station | San Diego San Diego International Airport | Broadway / Harbor Dr | 315,341 | Schedule | Frequent service |

### Rural Routes

| Route | Terminals | Terminals | Via | Annual ridership (FY 2023) | Links | Notes |
| 888 | El Cajon Parkway Plaza | Jacumba Hot Springs Campo St & Old Hwy 80 | Alpine / Guatay / Pine Valley / Campo | 788 | Schedule | Monday and Friday peak onlyOperates flag stop service and off-route by appointment |
| 891 | El Cajon El Cajon Transit Center | Borrego Springs Christmas Cir & Palm Canyon Dr | Shelter Valley / Ramona | 246 | Schedule | Friday peak onlyOperates flag stop service and off-route by appointment |
| 892 | El Cajon El Cajon Transit Center | Borrego Springs Christmas Cir & Palm Canyon Dr | Ranchita / Ramona | 232 | Schedule | Thursday peak onlyOperates flag stop service and off-route by appointment |
| 894 | El Cajon Parkway Plaza | Tecate Tecate Rd & Thing Rd Campo Hwy 94 & Buckman Springs Rd (Cameron Corners) Lake Morena Lake Morena Dr & Gladiola Dr (Oak Shores Malt Shop) | Tecate / Campo / Morena Village | 42,321 | Schedule | Weekdays onlyOperates flag stop service and off-route by appointment |

## Bus fleet
### Active fleet

| Make/Model | Fleet Numbers | Year | Divisions | Notes |
| ElDorado National AeroElite | 3001–3006 | 2014 | Copley Park | These are the cutaway buses. |
| ElDorado National AeroElite | 3101–3131 | 2016 | Copley Park | These are the cutaway buses. |
| Gillig Low Floor CNG 40 | 201–223 | 2015 | Kearny Mesa | |
| Gillig Low Floor CNG 40 | 801–826 | 2013 | Imperial Avenue | |
| Gillig Low Floor CNG 40 | 901–912 | 2014 | Kearny Mesa | |
| Gillig Low Floor CNG 40 | 1401–1410 | 2017 | Kearny Mesa | These buses were repainted into the MTS Rapid livery in 2023, replacing the 300-series New Flyer C40LF buses. |
| Gillig Low Floor CNG 40 | 1701–1738 | 2020–2021 | Kearny Mesa, Imperial Avenue | 1701–1722 are the 2020 models, 1723–1738 are the 2021 models. |
| Gillig Low Floor CNG 40 | 2001–2014 | 2015 | South Bay | |
| Gillig Low Floor CNG 40 | 2101–2136 | 2017 | South Bay | |
| Gillig Low Floor CNG 40 | 2201–2238 | 2022 | South Bay | These are the final Gillig buses delivered to MTS. |
| Gillig Low Floor CNG 40 | 2301–2324 | 2013 | East County, South Bay | 2301-2306 transferred to the East County division in 2023. |
| Gillig Low Floor CNG 40 | 2401–2438 | 2014-2015 | South Bay | 2401-2418 are the 2014 models, 2419-2438 are the 2015 models. |
| Gillig Low Floor CNG 40 | 2601–2632 | 2021 | South Bay | |
| Gillig Low Floor CNG 40 | 2781–2787 | 2018 | South Bay | These buses are exclusively used on route 992. All buses are equipped with luggage racks. |
| Gillig Low Floor CNG 40 | 2791–2795 | 2021 | South Bay | |
| Gillig Low Floor CNG 40 | 8201–8213 | 2015 | East County | |
| Gillig Low Floor CNG 40 | 8301–8338 | 2016 | East County | |
| Gillig Low Floor CNG 40 | 8351–8356 | 2019 | East County | |
| Gillig Low Floor Plus EV 40' | 1601–1602 | 2020 | Imperial Avenue | |
| Gillig Low Floor Plus EV 40' | 1603–1607 | 2021 | Imperial Avenue | These buses are painted red instead of green. |
| MCI D4500CT CNG | 8531–8554 | 2020 | East County | These buses are painted in the MTS Rapid Express livery, and are exclusively used on Rapid routes 280 & 290. |
| New Flyer C40LFR | 601–621 | 2011 | Imperial Avenue | 622-626 transferred to the South Bay division in 2022, and were re-numbered to 2923-2927. |
| New Flyer C40LFR | 701–731 | 2012 | Imperial Avenue | |
| New Flyer C40LFR | 2901–2927 | 2011-2012 | South Bay | 2923-2927 are the 2011 models, and were originally numbered 622–626. 2901-2922 are the 2012 models. |
| New Flyer XE40 | 1501–1506 | 2019 | East County, Kearny Mesa, South Bay | |
| New Flyer XE60 | 7551–7562 | 2023 | South Bay | These buses are exclusively used for Rapid route 227. |
| New Flyer XN60 | 1101–1129 | 2013 | Kearny Mesa | These are the first MTS Rapid buses in the MTS fleet, and are primarily used for Rapid route 235. These buses are currently being retired. 10 buses were sold to Santa Cruz METRO from 2023-2024. |
| New Flyer XN60 | 1201–1218 | 2013 | Kearny Mesa, Imperial Avenue | These MTS Rapid buses are primarily used for Rapid route 215. |
| New Flyer XN60 | 1301–1313 | 2015 | Kearny Mesa | These buses are painted in the standard MTS livery, but are regularly assigned to Rapid routes. |
| New Flyer XN60 | 1801–1826 | 2021 | Imperial Avenue | These buses are painted in the standard MTS livery. They're primarily used on routes 7, 10 & 13. These buses replaced the 1000-series NABI BRT-CNG buses in 2021. |
| New Flyer XN60 | 1901–1929 | 2023 | Kearny Mesa | These MTS Rapid buses are primarily used for Rapid routes 201, 202 & 235. These buses are currently replacing the 1100-series New Flyer XN60 buses. |
| New Flyer XN60 | 7401–7410 | 2017 | South Bay | These buses are painted in the standard MTS livery, and are primarily used on route 929. |
| New Flyer XN60 | 7501–7517 | 2017–2018 | South Bay | These MTS Rapid buses are primarily used for Rapid route 225, but they're occasionally seen on Rapid route 227. |

### On Order

| Make/Model | Fleet Numbers | Year | Notes |
| New Flyer XN40 | (138) | 2024–2027 | New 5 year contract with New Flyer to supply CNG & Battery Electric Buses. These will likely replace the 600-, 700-, and 2900-series C40LFR buses and the 800- and 2300-series Gillig buses. |
| New Flyer XE40 | (91) | 2024–2027 | New 5 year contract with New Flyer to supply CNG & Battery Electric Buses. |
| New Flyer XE60 | (34) | 2024–2027 | New 5 year contract with New Flyer to supply CNG & Battery Electric Buses. |