Traveling for the holidays or last minute shopping adds to the crowds on the road
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - People are in motion in many ways heading into this final holiday weekend before Christmas. Travelers are on the move to start a vacation and shoppers are getting last minute gifts.
"It's the holidays, traffic is going to be a nightmare and I am going to take the easy way out," said Santa Barbara resident KC Killoran. He was at the train station hopping on the southbound Pacific Surfliner.
Killoran chose the train to Orange County instead of driving, especially with wet weather ahead.
"And for once I don't want to do that," said Killoran.
A few people were stressed but others got some good deals and boarded without any hassle.
"I actually just decided to go about 15 minutes ago. I went online and purchased my ticket and I work at City College. I drove down and I am on my way," said Marisa Flores.
There were also some price changes that made the train quite the bargain.
"When I originally looked at it the ticket was $78, and then an hour later when I went to buy it, it dropped down 10 to 15 bucks," said Killoran.
One passenger was going to L.A. before switching to another train. He remembers a connection before that was perfect, if not a little too close.
"I had to run to get a Metrolink ticket and I was going up the ramp with my ticket and here comes the Metrolink," said Steven Crews from Paso Robles.
It's not uncommon for more cars to be added to accommodate ticket sales and passenger demand.
With Christmas falling in the middle of the week, the holiday getaway pace has already picked up. It's a combination of those on vacation and those out shopping.
At the Santa Barbara Airport, this has been a very busy year with many new flights added along with new or returning carriers. The passenger count is way up and there are many non stop choices.
For those staying close to home, there is a concern about traveling with the emergency officials warning of possible dangerous roads in areas recently hit by fires. They are prone to mud, rock and debris flows.
