Since March 9, the Sprinter began running its 22-mile-track course through the towns of Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido. On opening day, 13,000 passengers stepped onboard, and, since this time, the Sprinter has been gaining popular speed.
“We have been averaging about 7,000 daily passengers since March 9,” said Sarah Benson, spokesperson for North County Transit District. “We are pleased with the early ridership figures.”
The ridership goal, said Benson, is to reach 11,000 passengers per day. By the early surge of high numbers, their goal looks rather promising.
It’s believed that what has made the Sprinter ridership so welcoming is its link with the Breeze bus systems. “It’s a good system for transferring from the train to the bus,” said Benson. “We think our connections [bus lines] have been scheduled pretty well at all of the 15 Sprinter Stations.”
With the rise in gas prices, the Sprinter is playing a valuable role in people’s pocket books, and, at the same time, being eco-friendly. The cost for a Sprinter and Breeze day pass is a mere $4.50. “That price is less than a gallon of gas right now,” said Benson, “and this day pass will get you everywhere on the Sprinter and Breeze buses for the whole day.”
These interchangeable fairs make riding the Sprinter and Breeze a cost-effective solution. Compared to May and June of 2007, Coaster ridership has leaped 8 percent, and Benson contends this may have something to do with soaring gas prices.
The Sprinter offers a variety of transit plans, taking riders to the Coaster, Metrolink or Amtrak station in Oceanside or to Escondido, where buses will travel around and into San Diego.
“We have an integrative system that can get people all over the county, and not just North County,” she said. This summer, the Sprinter joined forces with the Wave Water Park in Vista. You can receive a $2 discount on the price of admission when you show your Sprinter ticket.”
The Sprinter is providing convenient connections to MiraCosta College, Palomar College and Cal State University San Marcos. Students attending these colleges will have the opportunity to purchase discounted monthly passes.
Benson confirmed that bicycles are welcomed, and riders should bring a bungee cord along. “There is a limited capacity for bikes on the Sprinter, so it is first come first served.”
Benson says the Sprinter ticket machine is much like an ATM. “It can take a little bit of getting used to if you are a first timer,” she said. “Get to the station early so you have plenty of time to purchase a ticket.” All of the ticket machines are user-friendly, and are ADA (The Americans With Disabilities Act) compliant.
The Sprinter ensures its riders have a nice experience. “Our Sprinter trains are air conditioned, comfortable, spacious, and offer plenty of room for sitting and standing.”
For more information on Sprinter tickets, schedules, discount passes and upcoming events near the Sprinter Stations, log onto www.gonctd.com or call 1-760-966-6500.
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