The Wave van is part of Santa Barbara MTD’s on-demand microtransit service. (Courtesy photo)
Santa Barbara MTD’s on-demand microtransit service, The Wave, expanded into Carpinteria on Sept. 16 after 17 months of running in Goleta and Isla Vista first. The expansion shows what it takes to scale a pilot deliberately: prove it in one zone, connect it to the fixed-route network instead of competing with it, phase in the fare, and build accessibility in from day one.
Key Takeaways
- MTD ran The Wave in Goleta and Isla Vista for about a year and a half before expanding to a second zone, rather than launching everywhere at once.
- Free transfers between The Wave and MTD’s fixed-route buses, within 60 minutes, tie the on-demand service into the existing network instead of running it as a separate system.
- The fare rolls out in two phases: free through an introductory period, then $3 per ride starting Nov. 1, with a $1.50 rate for seniors and riders with disabilities built in from the start.
- Wheelchair ramps and accommodations for qualifying wheelchairs and scooters are part of the vehicle spec from launch, not an upgrade added after the fact.
- The service runs on a defined grant, California’s Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program, which means leaders have to plan for what sustains the service once that one-time funding runs out.
A second stop, after a year and a half of evidence
The Wave, Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District’s on-demand microtransit service, expanded into Carpinteria on Sept. 16, more than a year after it first launched in Goleta and Isla Vista in April 2025, according to Noozhawk. The Carpinteria zone covers much of the city plus nearby unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County, including Santa Claus Lane.
17 months between launch and second zone.
The Wave ran in Goleta and Isla Vista from April 2025 before MTD expanded it into Carpinteria in September 2026.
Source: Santabarbara MTD, Oct. 1, 2026
That gap matters. MTD didn’t roll out a new on-demand zone everywhere at once. It ran the service long enough in one area to learn from it, then expanded deliberately into a second, geographically distinct community. For transit leaders weighing when to scale a pilot, that sequencing, prove it, then expand it, is worth more attention than the expansion itself.
Connecting the new service to the network, not around it
The Wave is a curb-to-curb service: riders request a trip between any two points inside a defined zone for a flat fare, similar to a ride-share app, using an accessible van. Riders book through the TransLoc app or by calling MTD’s customer service center.
What stands out operationally is how MTD tied the new service back into its existing fixed-route network instead of letting it run in isolation. Riders can transfer for free between The Wave and any MTD fixed-route bus within 60 minutes, and can request that transfer directly from the driver. On-demand service that only serves its own zone creates a second, disconnected system; on-demand service that hands riders off to the fixed-route network for free extends the reach of both.
Phasing the fare instead of setting it once
The Wave’s Carpinteria fares are free during an introductory period. Starting Nov. 1, the standard one-way fare becomes $3, with a reduced $1.50 fare for riders 65 and older and people with disabilities, according to Noozhawk’s reporting. Payment is accepted by cash, card, or contactless mobile wallet.
$3 standard fare, $1.50 reduced fare, starting Nov. 1.
The Wave’s Carpinteria rides are free through an introductory period before the standard fare structure takes effect.
Source: Santabarbara MTD, Oct. 1, 2026
That phased rollout gives riders time to build the habit of using the service before price becomes a factor in the decision, and it gives MTD a window to watch ridership patterns under free access before the fare structure changes them. The reduced fare for seniors and riders with disabilities is part of the fare table from day one, not an adjustment added after launch.
Accessibility as a launch spec, not a retrofit
The Wave’s vehicles are equipped with wheelchair ramps and can accommodate qualifying wheelchairs and three-wheeled scooters. That capability is part of how the service launched in Carpinteria, not something added in a later phase. For a flexible, on-demand service built around individual trip requests, that distinction matters: a rider requesting a ride needs to know in advance that the vehicle that shows up can actually serve them.
A grant-funded pilot, and the sustainability question that comes with it
The Wave is funded by one-time grant funds from the State of California’s Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program, and MTD has described the Carpinteria expansion as the next phase of an ongoing pilot program as the agency continues to explore on-demand options for communities across the South Coast.
That framing is worth sitting with. A one-time grant is well suited to proving a concept. It is not, on its own, a funding model for a service that riders start to depend on. The leadership work that follows a successful pilot expansion like this one is figuring out what happens when the grant cycle ends, whether that’s folding the service into the regular operating budget, securing a renewed or different funding source, or scaling the service to a point where fare revenue covers more of its cost. None of that diminishes the expansion itself. It’s simply the next decision in line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): The Wave's Carpinteria Expansion
What is The Wave?
The Wave is Santa Barbara MTD’s on-demand microtransit service. It provides curb-to-curb trips between any two points within a defined service zone for a flat fare, using an accessible van, similar to how a ride-share app works.
When did The Wave expand into Carpinteria, and where did it start?
The Wave launched first in Goleta and Isla Vista in April 2025. It expanded into Carpinteria on Sept. 16, 2026, with a service zone covering much of the city plus select nearby unincorporated areas, including Santa Claus Lane.
How do riders book a trip on The Wave?
Riders book through the TransLoc app or by calling MTD’s Customer Service Center at 805-963-3366. Rides can be requested in the moment or up to a week in advance.
How do riders book a trip on The Wave?
Riders book through the TransLoc app or by calling MTD’s Customer Service Center at 805-963-3366. Rides can be requested in the moment or up to a week in advance.
Can riders transfer between The Wave and MTD's regular bus routes?
Yes. Riders can transfer for free from The Wave to any MTD fixed-route bus within 60 minutes and can request the transfer from the driver.
Is The Wave accessible for riders who use a wheelchair or mobility scooter?
Yes. The Wave’s vehicles are equipped with wheelchair ramps and can accommodate qualifying wheelchairs and three-wheeled scooters.
What hours does The Wave operate in Carpinteria?
The Carpinteria service runs 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
What hours does The Wave operate in Carpinteria?
The Carpinteria service runs 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
How is The Wave funded?
The Wave is funded by one-time grant funds from the State of California’s Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program.
