Learn How to Use MTS Day Passes on Compass Cards

MTS has completed its transition from paper Day Passes to Compass Cards.

To help riders, it has a new YouTube video showing how easy it is to purchase a 1-Day Pass on Compass Card from a Trolley ticket machine and to use it on MTS Trolleys and buses.

 “Our goal was to create a video that shows the easy step-by-step process of loading and reloading a Compass Card with a Day Pass,” said Rob Schupp, MTS Director of Marketing. “The video is designed for people unfamiliar with our system and explains where to get a Compass Card and how to use it before going down to the Trolley Station or bus to buy a pass.”

Passengers without Compass Cards can buy one along with their Pass at Trolley ticket machines. The $2 fee for the Card is added to their total purchase. Buses do not have equipment to issue Compass Cards.

Passengers who plan to start their trip on an MTS Bus can purchase an empty Compass Card for $2 at any Albertsons store or at the MTS Transit Store, located at First and Broadway in downtown San Diego. These Compass Cards can be loaded with a pass at any time in the future. (Passengers can also purchase a paper Day Pass on board buses for $7.)

Once a rider has a Compass Card, a Day Pass can be loaded on board most MTS Buses and at all Trolley ticket machines for $5. At a Trolley ticket machine there are step-by-step directions on screen. 

On the bus, a passenger should follow these three steps:

1.  TAP Card on the target on or near the Farebox 

2.  Pay $5 into Farebox ($1 and $5 bills accepted)

3.  Tap & Hold Card on the target for about 3 seconds (wait to see Day Pass added followed by Pass expiration date messages before removing).

Each Compass Card lasts about five years and can provide riders the flexibility in reloading their passes automatically, on-line, over the phone, at The Transit Store, at all Trolley ticket Machines and all Albertsons locations. Compass Cards can also be registered to protect value if lost or stolen.

Click for more information about Day Pass on Compass Card or call 511 and say “Compass.”

MTS carries about 300,000 riders a day on more than 90 bus routes and three Trolley lines.

Click here for more information on how to use public transportation and save money. 

To stay up to date on San Diego’s public transportation, like MTS on Facebook, www.facebook.com/sdmts or follow MTS on Twitter,www.twitter.com/SanDiegoMTS.

– From a news release by MTS.