Anyone taken advantage of "free transit day" October 2 (San Diego: sales, real estate)

[citizensadvocate]

Took Coaster and MTS Trolleys for a spin though it was only slightly more crowded than normal, with some more out of town travelers than normal same with Rail to Rail. With exception of trains headed to and from the Mexican border which are crowded to standing room only with lot of families. I guess this day means a lot for families from TJ or south of the border who make day trips here than people who live in San Diego. As there transit is only a fraction of the price here and this also saves them time and gas money driving up here. A region Plus day pass costs $12 a person which would mean up to $48 for a family of four which makes a great difference for someone from Mexico.

The conductor on Coaster was being exceptionally talkative and comical though, reminds me of some Amtrak conductors.

[Jenkay]

I've done it in past years, since we have the Rapid bus that can get me from El Cajon Blvd to Escondido. I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday, though, so it was untenable for me this year.

And not everyone from Mexico is poor.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Didn't know about this but cool. I'd really rather just ride my bike across town than use public transit. I try and put in 30 miles a day anyway so it would give me a reason to go somewhere.

[citizensadvocate]

Originally Posted by Jenkay

I've done it in past years, since we have the Rapid bus that can get me from El Cajon Blvd to Escondido. I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday, though, so it was untenable for me this year.

And not everyone from Mexico is poor.

Wow I thought this is the first free transit day in their history.

Your statement is true, also I heard alot of San Diegans also have been moving to Tijuana do to its affordability. I bet at the expense of those living south as this will drive up rents and real estate costs. Though transit does cost much less down there in comparison, about a fraction. I did notice a large amount of families who look of Mexican descent on or transfering to and from trolleys to the border. I believe SDMTS should plan more free transit days on days Mexican families are most likely to make day trips north to help stimulate economy north of the border. The fare revenue should be offset by increased sales tax revenue by increased spending north of the border.

[moved]

Originally Posted by Jenkay

I've done it in past years, since we have the Rapid bus that can get me from El Cajon Blvd to Escondido. I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday, though, so it was untenable for me this year.

And not everyone from Mexico is poor.

This is correct, not all Mexicans are poor. Where did you get that idea from?

I rode for free, even though I have a bus pass. The drivers had MTS Ride for Free signs tapes over the front of the slot where the money goes in.

[Jenkay]

Originally Posted by citizensadvocate

Wow I thought this is the first free transit day in their history.

Your statement is true, also I heard alot of San Diegans also have been moving to Tijuana do to its affordability. I bet at the expense of those living south as this will drive up rents and real estate costs. Though transit does cost much less down there in comparison, about a fraction. I did notice a large amount of families who look of Mexican descent on or transfering to and from trolleys to the border. I believe SDMTS should plan more free transit days on days Mexican families are most likely to make day trips north to help stimulate economy north of the border. The fare revenue should be offset by increased sales tax revenue by increased spending north of the border.

Maybe I'm thinking of "ride to work day" where I rode my bike to the bus, then took the bus to RB, then rode the 10 miles from RB to work in Escondido (it's too far to ride the whole way). I've taken the bus all the way up a few times, as well.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

The fastest local transit https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...ncept/p/22054/

[citizensadvocate]

It appears Lime is offering deep discount on e scooters that day as well. Don't know if its due to this free transit day or due to the planned crackdown San Diego is planning on e scooters.

This day also helps people realize the flaws of the system particularly the light rail system and poor attitude of its staff. The trolleys often has the problem of not making enough annoucements or not loud enough announcements of its intentions. I.e sometimes when the orange line end of its run it ends at courthouse unlike the blue line that ends one stop further at America's plaza farther down it just stops and sits there no announcement at all. And another time Once I remember during Comic Con the trolley was delayed for more than ten minutes due to a door not closing properly not a single announcement was made to let the passengers know of the delay, eventually as other trains were lined up behind the operator instead of going on the PA to apologize for the delay and unexpected cancellation of the run. just went car to car abruptly shouting at people to get off OUT OF SERVICE, no apologies no nothing. If people knew earlier they would had taken another train or bus which departed a few minutes earlier.

There are also times when the train just all of a sudden lock its doors. Doors on Trolleys do not open automatically, and depart when there are clearly people trying to get on.

Also I really hope that the Rail 2 Rail program would include additional coaster trains or buses on rail to rail blackout dates as NTCD already pays about the cost to operate a bus for the same distance to subsidize Coaster passengers to ride Amtrak Pacific Surfliner on those trains which costs $16 one way per rider as opposed to $6, interesting fact is that Compass cards are not charged when riding rail to rail surfliner trains. So those with Compass Cards who took advantage of free ride days were able to ride Amtrak R 2 R without a fee as well even though R 2 R was not technically included. Though another advantage is that if they actually run a coaster train or NTCD bus on a blackout date they could collect fares they normally charge if they desire. Amtrak rail to rail blackout dates are always times of high demand when there is comic con or holidays when Amtrak trains are completely booked there will be of course alot of passengers who are traveling within San Diego County who would benefit from such a train or bus and such run would be revenue generating.
I heard the purpose of Rail 2 Rail is to let lightly occupied Amtrak trains benefit by having NTCD Coaster passengers occupy empty seats and possibly generate cafe car sales. NTCD pays to let these passengers with any Coaster eligible fare media including compass cards ride. Which costs much less than running a Coaster train for just 40 or less passengers.