The Metropolitan Transit System on Thursday announced an agreement with Uber to bring customers to and from transit stations in San Diego County over the next few weeks, with the possibility of a more permanent arrangement in the future.
Transit stations where the deal applies
UberPool passengers going to or from one of the following bus and trolley stations through July 24 will receive a one-time discount of $5 by entering the code "MTSUBER."
Rapid Transit Stations
Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, Sabre Springs, Miramar College, City Heights, Transit Plaza
Trolley Transit Centers
Iris Avenue, H Street, 8th Street, Barrio Logan, Euclid, Lemon Grove, Santee, El Cajon, Grossmont Center, 70th Street, SDSU, Mission San Diego, Mission Valley Center, Fashion Valley, Old Town
The partnership aims to improve access to MTS trolley and Rapid Transit services during the MLB All-Star Game and Comic-Con International.
Under the deal, UberPool passengers who use the service to go to one of 20 bus or trolley stations through the end of Comic-Con on July 24 will receive a one-time discount of $5. Rides from the designated stations to home will also qualify, according to the agency.
"UberPool can be used as critical first-mile service to break down one of the barriers for people to access transit," said Paul Jablonski, CEO of MTS.
"With this partnership, people can leave their car at home and get where they need to go easily and affordably," Jablonski said. "It will be a great way to enjoy all the action downtown for the next few weeks."
"Our goal in San Diego is for UberPool to serve as a complement to public transportation, connecting riders to work, school and the places they love," said Brian Hughes, Uber San Diego general manager.
"We've seen how riders are using Uber to travel the first and last mile between their homes and the nearest transit station, wherever it may be, and through this exciting partnership with MTS, we can make those connections even more seamless," Hughes said.
According to MTS, the deal specifies that the two entities will work together to develop a longer-term program.
"We want to get through the month of July," MTS' Rob Schupp told KPBS News. "We want to kind of sit down after that and learn from our experience, and then see how we can turn this into a longer-term relationship."
