Free rides Wednesday, Oct 7. NCTD's Clean Air Day: COASTER, SPRINTER and BREEZE are free all day on the normal weekday schedule, no PRONTO card or fare needed. NCTD+ is free 6am to 8pm with promo code FREERIDE. LIFT, MTS and Amtrak Rail 2 Rail are not included. Text PJ your trip.
Official: NCTD service alert: FREE Ride Day, Wed. Oct. 7; also reported by 10News · The Coast News. Checked Oct 5, 2026.
NCTD fares went up October 1, 2026. The COASTER is now $6.50 one way ($3.25 for seniors 65+, riders with disabilities and Medicare cardholders); SPRINTER and BREEZE are $3.00. Another step comes October 1, 2027.
Wednesday, October 7 is Free Ride Day: COASTER, SPRINTER, BREEZE, FLEX and NCTD+ are free all day.
Pass or pay per ride?
A weekday round trip, 20 workdays, is 40 one-way rides.
The new fares
| Fare | Adult | Senior, disabled, Medicare |
|---|---|---|
| COASTER one way | $6.50 | $3.25 |
| SPRINTER one way | $3.00 | $3.00 |
| BREEZE one way | $3.00 | $1.50 |
| FLEX one way | $6.00 | $3.00 |
| Regional day pass | $7.00 | $3.50 |
| COASTER Regional day pass | $15.00 | $7.50 |
| COASTER Regional monthly | $185.00 | $60.00 |
| SPRINTER/BREEZE monthly | $65.00 | $20.00 |
| Regional monthly | $85.00 | $28.00 |
From October 1, 2027: COASTER $7.00 adult, $3.50 reduced; the COASTER Regional monthly $190 adult, $70 reduced. Regional covers BREEZE, SPRINTER, MTS bus, Trolley and Rapid; COASTER Regional adds the COASTER and FLEX.
The rules that save money
- PRONTO caps BREEZE, SPRINTER and FLEX at the day and monthly pass amounts: ride all day and you never pay more than a day pass.
- Fare capping does not apply to the COASTER. Commuters should buy the COASTER Regional monthly pass before the month starts.
- Tapping a credit card or phone charges an adult one-way fare good for two hours, with no daily or monthly caps. Use PRONTO if you ride a lot.
- Reduced fare: get a reduced-fare PRONTO card with your photo at the Oceanside or Escondido Transit Center; a current Medicare card with photo ID qualifies. PRONTO support: (619) 595-5636.
Plan the trip: Coaster times today · by train from Solana Beach · help for seniors. PRONTO app giving you trouble? Text PJ.
Source: NCTD, Fares. Checked October 5, 2026.
Need a human?
This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
Local help, free to read: make your fix plan · senior benefits checkup · lower your SDG&E bill · Medicare Extra Help · the next 90 days. Plans start as low as $25.
Questions people ask
How much is the Coaster now?
$6.50 one way for adults and $3.25 for seniors 65+, riders with disabilities and Medicare cardholders, from October 1, 2026 (NCTD). It rises to $7.00 and $3.50 on October 1, 2027.
Is the Coaster monthly pass worth it?
The COASTER Regional monthly is $185 for adults; at $6.50 a ride it pays off at 29 one-way rides a month. Fare capping doesn't apply to the COASTER, so buy it before you ride.
Does PRONTO cap fares on the Sprinter?
Yes. On a PRONTO card or app, BREEZE, SPRINTER and FLEX fares are capped at the day and monthly pass amounts. Tapping a credit card directly has no caps.
How much is the Sprinter?
$3.00 one way from October 1, 2026, for adults and reduced-fare riders alike.
Know someone who needs this?
Something changed here? Text PJ and we'll update this page.
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