With summer officially underway, the City of San Luis Obispo Transit is rolling out several seasonal service updates that riders should know about.
Free Summer Rides for K-12 Students
SLO Transit is once again participating in the Youth Ride Free program, offering free rides to K-12 students from June 5 through August 19. Sponsored by Rideshare, the program provides students with free access to public transit throughout the summer on both SLO Transit and the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (RTA) systems. No pass required – just hop on!
Download the Transit App for real-time arrival and departure information.
Expanded Old SLO Trolley Service
Beginning in July, the Old SLO Trolley will expand service to include Fridays and Saturdays. The trolley operates on a 30-minute loop connecting downtown SLO with the Upper Monterey business district before returning downtown. The best part? Trolley rides are free, sponsored by Rideshare’s Know How To Go! Program.
Summer Trolley Service Hours (beginning July):
- Thursdays: 5 p.m. – 9:10 p.m.
- Fridays and Saturdays: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
SLO Transit Fixed-Route Service Schedule
SLO Transit’s fixed-route system will transition to its summer bus schedule beginning July 1, with reduced service hours through August 16, 2026. Riders can continue to expect hourly service on all routes, though daily service will end earlier during the summer period with the last routes between 6:30 and 8 p.m.
The academic schedule, which includes extended service hours, will resume on August 17. Riders are encouraged to download the Transit App for real-time arrival and departure information.
“Summer is one of the busiest times to get around San Luis Obispo, and we’re excited to offer more ways for people to travel without a car,” said Alex Fuchs, Mobility Services Business Manager. “With free rides for K–12 students through the Youth Ride Free program and expanded Old SLO Trolley service on Fridays and Saturdays, it makes it easier for residents and visitors to connect with downtown, local destinations, and community events throughout the summer.”