“The Wave” begins Point-to-Point Transit Service in Goleta

GOLETA, Calif. - A flexible on-demand transit has been launched in Goleta and some selected nearby locations.

It is a curb-to-curb service providing trips between any two points in a specified zone for $3.00 ($1.50 for seniors and people with disabilities.) Children 14 and over can also ride. The system takes cash or "tap to pay". For the start up period through the month of May, all rides are free.

The Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) says the riders can use a Transloc app or call MTD to schedule a pickup.

The starting area for the testing of this system is specific. The zone includes an area bounded by Patterson to the east, Cathedral Oaks to the north, Los Carneros to the west, and 101 to the South. The housing and business park areas on either side of Los Carneros south of the freeway are also included.

Additionally, specific points at the following locations are available for drop off or pickup: Goleta Amtrak Station, Santa Barbara Airport, UCSB Bus Loop, Elings Hall stop, Isla Vista Community Center and El Colegio & Embarcadero del Mar outbound stop.

The service runs Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Once the pick up is requested, for example on the app, you can see where the shuttle is, and find out when it will arrive at your location.

Tuesday morning an Isla Vista resident and UC Santa Barbara student at the Community Center, made a request and the Wave shuttle was on site in about ten minutes. The destination was Trader Joe's for some groceries. That is over Highway 101 in the Calle Real Center. A long walk and not an easy bike ride if you have more than one bag of groceries. To get there with another ride share service would have been possibly three times the cost.

"I don't have a car. My only other option is to walk or ride a bike.  I'm not walking so if I'm biking it is really inconvenient, it takes 30 minutes or something," said Alicia Banegas.

If you take it....just be ready to go. The Metropolitan Transit District (MTD)   Planning and Marketing Manager Hillary Blackerby says, "and the system will let you know where the van is when it is on its way to you.   "

Banegas said, it works for her schedule because, "If you have the time to ride the bus for 30 minutes that's one thing, but this is way quicker. "

After the shopping visit, the ride was requested again and the Wave was on site in less than a minute. It was still nearby.

The microtransit vehicle can take seven passengers at once or five if a wheelchair is on board.

Feedback on the new transit will be important as the program is rolled out in Goleta and before it goes into other areas. "We want more people to take it test it test, it stress it out see how it goes and we think it will be  benefit to the community," said Blackerby.

Grant funding has made this service possible for one year. Then it will be available in Carpinteria as the second test location. No date for the service to expand to Santa Barbara has been discussed.

For more details go to: MTD

Information from the MTD site:

Who can ride this service?

This service is open to the general public, not just seniors and people with disabilities. Children 14 and over can ride The Wave unaccompanied.  It is up to parents to determine if their teen is ready to ride alone. All passengers under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. ALL CHILDREN MUST be “properly secured…in an appropriate child passenger restraint system or safety belt meeting applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.”  Per California vehicle code 27360.5, if a child age 8 through 15 needs a booster to fit the seat belt correctly, they need one to ride The Wave. In compliance with California law, all passengers under age 8 must ride in an appropriate Child Restraint System (CRS), such as a safety seat or booster; and all passengers under age 2 must ride in an appropriate rear-facing safety seat. Caregivers must provide an appropriate safety seat and install it in the vehicle. Unfortunately, while drivers can provide information about LATCH attachment points, they cannot assist caregivers with installation.

Where does it serve?

The zone includes an area bounded by Patterson to the east, Cathedral Oaks to the north, Los Carneros to the west, and 101 to the South. The housing and business park areas on either side of Los Carneros south of the freeway are also included.

Additionally, specific points at the following locations are available for drop off or pickup: Goleta Amtrak Station, Santa Barbara Airport, UCSB Bus Loop, Elings Hall stop, Isla Vista Community Center and El Colegio & Embarcadero del Mar outbound stop.