Santa Barbara MTD is announcing the return of the all-electric Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle service to Santa Barbara’s Downtown and Waterfront areas once again for summer 2026. The service returned two summers ago to once again provide accessible, zero-emission access to important Downtown and Waterfront destinations.
This year the Shuttle returns with a renewed partnership between MTD and the City of Santa Barbara, with the City allocating operating funding this year.
The return of this service will once again provide transit connections among the Harbor and Waterfront, Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara Train Depot, the historic County Courthouse, countless hotels, and Downtown shopping and dining destinations, just to name a few.
Service will operate on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. between May 29, 2026 and September 7, 2026, with a final day of service on Labor Day Monday.
The Shuttle will operate as a circulator route with 20-minute headways, offering frequent service for residents and visitors to enjoy the iconic beauty of Santa Barbara’s Waterfront and Downtown. Riders can catch the shuttle at any MTD stop along the route.
In addition to partnering with the City of Santa Barbara, MTD and the Santa Barbara Zoo have teamed up to encourage Zoo visitors to reach the Zoo via the Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle. When riders show the bus driver their valid Santa Barbara Zoo membership or Zoo ticket this summer, they will board the Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle for free.
| Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle Fares | |||
| Standard One-Way Fare | $0.50 | ||
| Seniors 65+ and People with Disabilities | $0.25 | ||
| Day Pass | $1.00 | ||
| Valid SB Zoo Membership or Ticket Holder | Free | ||
| Valid Amtrak Ticket Holder | Free | ||
For other riders, fares will be $0.50 (standard one-way) and $0.25 for seniors 65 and over and people with disabilities. The popular $1 day pass will also be available and provides for unlimited rides on the Shuttle in one calendar day. Additionally, riders with a valid Amtrak ticket ride free on the Shuttle or any MTD bus service by showing their train ticket for that day. Tap2Ride contactless payment is also available on board all MTD vehicles.
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Apparently no one goes downtown because all the shops are all empty and cars don’t go there so they need a shuttle. Thanks local MAGACANS for the constant lies and hating on everything ever done to improve State Street. You make life amusing watching you wallow.
If it keeps liars and bigots off our streets, I’ll always support whatever “it” is.
In this case, I think the shuttles are great for tourists and locals alike with limited mobility.
Agreed 100% great local resource. The crybabies that complain here no longer go downtown anyway,but just use the articles to parrot political agenda.
So glad to see the electric shuttle returned! I just wish it operated daily so that vacationers staying for more than a weekend, local workers, and residents with mobility challenges could put it to use mid-week as well.
Agreed. Why only on the weekends?
I used to walk from my house to Sola & State Sts., catch the Shuttle down to Cabrillo Blvd and then walk The Breakwater. (Dog averse persons please stop reading now.) I always had my tiny little dog with me, in my daypack, while riding the Shuttle. Or MTD. The Shuttle Bus was a wonderful service provided and people really made good use of it —- all week long.