Monterey MST Bus Schedule: Routes, Times & Stops
Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) operates public buses serving Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, Marina, Seaside, Salinas, Watsonville and other Monterey County communities. To find your bus time, choose the correct MST line, direction, travel date and boarding stop on the official route schedule.
This updated guide covers major MST routes, the Monterey–Salinas Line 20 timetable, current $2 fares, $1 eligible discount fares, free college-student programs, contactless payment, live arrivals, stop maps, transfers, accessibility and the August 29, 2026 schedule changes.
Where Can You Find the Monterey MST Bus Schedule?
Visit the official MST Route List, choose your bus line and open the timetable. For example, Line 20 runs between Monterey and Salinas, while Lines 1 and 2 serve Pacific Grove by different streets. Other services connect Carmel, Marina, Watsonville, Gilroy and communities farther south.
MST’s fare page lists a $2 regular two-hour fare and a $1 eligible discount fare on fixed-route buses. Contactless payment and fare capping are available under the agency’s published conditions.
Monterey MST Bus Guide
Monterey-Salinas Transit Bus Routes and Destinations
These routes are listed by Monterey-Salinas Transit. Choose the service that actually reaches your destination, then open the operator’s schedule for the correct day. Major routes are grouped below to make the choices easier to understand.
Monterey – Pacific Grove via Asilomar
Useful for Pacific Grove and the Asilomar corridor.
Check: Pacific Grove direction and intermediate stops.Monterey – Pacific Grove via David Avenue
Serves a different approach to Pacific Grove from Line 1.
Check: David Avenue routing instead of Asilomar.Monterey – Carmel Rancho
Useful for reaching the Carmel Rancho area from Monterey.
Check: Revised Carmel Rancho timepoint.Monterey – Ryan Ranch
Serves the Ryan Ranch employment corridor.
Check: Stops affected by airport-area construction.Sand City – Marina via General Jim Moore
Connects Sand City and Marina using the General Jim Moore corridor.
Check: New Imjin Road and 8th Street stops.Sand City – Marina via Monterey Road
An alternative Sand City–Marina corridor.
Check: Route 17 versus Route 18 before boarding.Monterey – Salinas
Important regional service via Sand City and Marina.
Check: Monterey Transit Plaza and Salinas Transit Center.Crossroads Carmel – Carmel Valley
Useful for Carmel Valley trips and connections around Carmel Rancho.
Check: Transfer timing with Line 5.Salinas – CSUMB
College-oriented service between Salinas and Cal State Monterey Bay.
Check: Academic calendar and weekday operation.Watsonville via Castroville
Useful for traveling toward Watsonville using Castroville.
Check: Correct regional timetable and transfer location.Watsonville via Prunedale
Regional service connecting Salinas, Prunedale and Watsonville.
Check: Weekday exceptions and holiday notes.Salinas – Gilroy
Regional bus service toward Gilroy and connections beyond Monterey County.
Check: Salinas-area boarding changes and the correct destination.Aquarium / Sand City via Hilby
A branded local service useful around the Monterey Bay visitor corridor.
Check: The Jazz A route and direction.Aquarium / Sand City via Broadway
A different Jazz routing serving the same wider corridor.
Check: Jazz B versus Jazz A.Salinas – King City
South County regional service. MST also lists a separate 23X Express.
Check: Whether your stop is served by 23 or 23X.Other published lines include Salinas local routes 31–49, Line 61, Line 84 King City–Paso Robles, Lines 91, 94, 95 and 96, the Del Rey Oaks Shuttle and the seasonal Monterey Trolley. Not all routes operate every day.
View the complete official MST route directory and individual schedules.
How Monterey, Marina and Salinas Connect
Monterey Transit Plaza and Salinas Transit Center are two major starting points for the network. MST services branch outward to different coastal, inland and South County destinations.
This is a simplified Line 20 travel corridor, not a street-scale map or a representation of every intermediate bus stop.
To find the actual streets and stops, open the official MST System Maps. Choose the regional, Monterey Peninsula, Salinas, Downtown Monterey, Marina or South County map that matches your trip.
Monterey MST Bus Times: Weekday, Saturday and Sunday
MST buses do not all start or finish at the same time. Line 20 provides regional service between Monterey and Salinas, while neighborhood, school-oriented, limited and seasonal services can have much shorter hours.
| Service | Typical schedule pattern | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Line 20 Monterey–Salinas | Daily regional service; more frequent weekday departures. | Exact first and last trip from your stop. |
| Lines 1 and 2 | Local Monterey–Pacific Grove services. | Asilomar versus David Avenue and service day. |
| Line 5 | Monterey–Carmel Rancho service. | Carmel Rancho timepoint adjustments. |
| Lines 17 and 18 | Sand City–Marina corridors. | Different routing and boarding locations. |
| Jazz A and Jazz B | Monterey Aquarium/Sand City-area services. | Hilby or Broadway branch and the last return. |
| Line 25 | Weekday service during the specified college-term period. | Academic calendar and term dates. |
| Monterey Trolley | Seasonal service; not operating in November 2026. | Memorial Day 2027 restart information. |
How to Check a Specific Departure on MST.org
- Open MST’s route list.
- Select your bus number, such as 20 or Jazz A.
- Find the schedule section.
- Select the service day and correct direction.
- Choose your boarding stop or nearest published timepoint.
- Check the times shown for your selected trip.
- Review notes for weekday-only trips, seasonal service or other restrictions.
- Open MST RealTime for an updated arrival estimate.
Printed schedules often show selected timepoints rather than every intermediate stop. MST recommends being at the stop at least five minutes ahead of the estimated departure.
MST Line 20 Bus Schedule: Monterey to Salinas
Line 20 is one of the most useful Monterey-Salinas Transit services for a regional journey. It runs between Monterey Transit Plaza and Salinas Transit Center via Sand City and Marina.
Selected Scheduled Line 20 Departures
The following examples were published in a 2026 Route 20 stop-level timetable reference dated July 29, 2026. They demonstrate complete Monterey-to-Salinas trips but should be rechecked against the currently selected MST schedule before traveling in November.
| Stop / timepoint | Trip 1 | Trip 2 | Trip 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey Transit Plaza / Gate 4 Tyler | 5:45 AM | 6:15 AM | 6:45 AM |
| Marina Transit Exchange / Gate 2 | 6:13 AM | 6:43 AM | 7:15 AM |
| Salinas Transit Center / Gate 7 | 6:33 AM | 7:03 AM | 7:35 AM |
How Long Does the Monterey to Salinas Bus Take?
These are calculated durations for three published scheduled trips, not guaranteed average travel times. Traffic through Seaside, Sand City, Marina and Salinas can affect the journey.
Returning From Salinas to Monterey
For the return, use the direction toward Monterey rather than reading the Salinas-bound timetable backward. The published Line 20 stop pattern includes Salinas Transit Center Gate 7, Marina Transit Exchange Gate 3 and Monterey Transit Plaza Gate 4.
Find your date’s last Monterey-bound trip before traveling to Salinas for an evening appointment. If the last bus is missed, an ordinary daytime connection may not remain available.
Monterey MST Bus Stops and Maps
MST buses board at designated signed stops. Transit centers and exchanges can have multiple gates, so arriving at the correct building or street is not always enough—you must find the correct route and direction.
Which Official MST Map Should You Open?
| Official map | Best use |
|---|---|
| Monterey Peninsula Map | Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Sand City and Carmel-area routes. |
| Downtown Monterey Map | Nearby downtown stops, streets and local transfers. |
| Monterey Transit Plaza Map | Correct bus loading location and gate. |
| Marina Transit Exchange Map | Route transfers in Marina. |
| Salinas Transit Center Map | Correct gates for Salinas routes. |
| Regional / South County Map | Longer journeys beyond the Monterey Peninsula. |
Open MST’s official regional, downtown and transit-center maps.
Micro-Steps for Finding the Correct Stop
- Open the relevant MST map.
- Find your starting point and destination.
- Identify the route number serving both locations.
- Zoom in or open the route-specific stop list.
- Find the stop or transit-center gate for your direction.
- Check the route headsign before boarding.
- Read any temporary stop-relocation notice on the physical sign.
If you also need walking directions between a hotel, attraction, transit plaza or bus stop, our Google Maps public-transit stop and departure guide explains how to compare route choices, view walking connections and distinguish scheduled times from live predictions. The official MST stop map should remain your final check for temporary boarding changes.
Monterey MST Bus Fares and Pass Prices
MST’s current fare page lists $2 regular fixed-route travel for a two-hour window and $1 discounted travel for eligible passengers. Passes and contactless fare caps are available for frequent riders.
MST Regular and Discount Fare Table
| Fare product | Regular | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Two-hour ride | $2.00 | $1.00 |
| Daily fare / pass | $6.00 | $3.00 |
| Seven-day pass / weekly cap | $20.00 | $10.00 |
| 31-day pass / monthly cap | $70.00 | $35.00 |
Who Can Receive the $1 Discount Fare?
MST lists reduced-fare eligibility for passengers aged 18 and under, adults aged 65 and older, qualifying individuals with disabilities, Medicare card holders, veterans and certain additional eligible groups.
The operator may request appropriate proof, such as photo identification, an MST Courtesy Card or a Medicare card, depending on the rider category.
Check MST’s official fare table, eligibility rules and pass-purchase options.
How MST Contactless Fare Capping Works
MST accepts supported contactless bank cards and mobile wallets on fixed-route buses. When riders use the same payment method consistently, qualifying charges are limited by the published fare-capping rules.
Bar lengths compare the dollar amounts, using $70 as the full scale. They are not journey frequency or live fare calculations.
Avoid Losing Your Fare Cap
- Use one accepted contactless payment method for the same rider.
- Tap on each MST bus you board.
- Keep using the same physical card or the same mobile-wallet credential as appropriate.
- Do not assume that switching between a physical card and phone combines fare caps.
- Register for discounted contactless eligibility if you qualify and want the discounted rates applied.
- Review the official instructions for fare caps, transfers and tap-off procedures.
Read MST’s official contactless payment and fare-capping instructions.
How to Pay and Board an MST Bus
Cash or GoPass
- Check the required regular or discount fare.
- Have your payment or pass ready before the bus arrives.
- Board at the designated stop.
- Pay through the farebox or validate your pass as instructed.
- Request the two-hour transfer pass where applicable.
Contactless Card or Phone
- Prepare your supported payment card or mobile wallet.
- Tap the contactless reader when boarding.
- Check for the accepted-payment indication.
- Tap again on a connecting MST bus within the transfer window.
- Follow MST’s tap-off instruction when leaving the bus.
GoCard Stored Value
MST’s GoCard is a reloadable stored-value card. The operator describes an additional 10% value when reloading under its published terms.
Check the minimum purchase amount and permitted reload locations before buying.
Discount Fare
Eligible passengers should prepare the required proof before boarding. A discounted contactless fare may require prior registration so that the payment method is recognized correctly.
How to Signal Your Stop
MST instructs passengers to signal the operator when the bus approaches the designated stop. When nearing your destination, pull the stop-request cord in time for the next stop and exit through the rear door when appropriate.
Move safely to a seat or handrail after paying. Priority seats near the operator should remain available for passengers who need them.
Read MST’s official boarding, payment, stop-request and exit instructions.
How to Track Monterey MST Buses in Real Time
MST provides bus arrival information through text messages, telephone, the Transit app and map-based tools. The official system distinguishes scheduled times from short-range GPS-based predictions.
Open the official MST RealTime guide.
Option 1: Text Your Stop Number to 25370
Find the four-digit MST stop number posted on the stop sign or sticker. Then text Next, a space and the stop number to 25370.
At a stop serving several routes, MST permits a route filter separated by a hyphen. The official example uses Next 9103-022. Special route abbreviations include JZA for Jazz A and JZB for Jazz B.
Option 2: Call MST RealTime
- Call 1-888-678-2871.
- Select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish.
- Select the RealTime option.
- Choose current arrivals or later schedule information.
- Enter the four-digit stop number when prompted.
- If the stop number is unknown, use the menu option for finding it.
Option 3: Transit App
The agency endorses the Transit app for nearby departures, route planning, vehicle location information and alerts. Choose the actual MST route and the correct boarding stop before trusting the countdown.
MST recommends arriving at least five minutes before the expected bus. If the route is infrequent or a transfer is critical, allow a larger buffer.
Monterey MST Bus Schedule Changes for 2026
MST published a service-change summary effective August 29, 2026. Several adjustments matter because an older PDF, Google search snippet or saved map may not include them.
| Line | Published 2026 change | What riders should do |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Minor changes at the Carmel Rancho timepoint. | Recheck transfer times with Line 24. |
| 17 | New stops on Imjin Road and 8th Street. | Use the updated stop map in Marina. |
| 24 | Changes to improve Carmel Rancho connections with Line 5. | Verify both connecting departures. |
| 29 | Minor weekday afternoon peak-trip change. | Confirm the selected Watsonville departure. |
| 31 / 33 | Minor routing or timepoint adjustments. | Check current South County schedules. |
| 41 / 42 | Timepoint changed to Garner & Sanborn; no schedule change listed. | Use the new timepoint name. |
| 59 | Minor adjustment to southbound trips between Salinas Transit Center and Salinas Intermodal Transit Center. | Recheck the Salinas boarding time. |
| 25 | Resumed August 24, operating weekdays during the specified college term. | Check the school calendar and new Imjin-area stops. |
| Monterey Trolley | 2026 seasonal service ended September 8. | Do not expect regular trolley service in November. |
Read MST’s official August 2026 service-change summary and current notices.
These published changes are not a continuously updated list of active delays. For same-day road closures, cancellations or temporary stop moves, check the separate MST Service Alerts page.
Which MST Bus Should You Take for Common Destinations?
Visitors often search for “the Monterey bus” without knowing the local route number. The most useful approach is to start with the destination, then identify which service reaches the right neighborhood or transfer center.
Traveling Beyond Gilroy Toward San Jose?
MST Line 59 connects Salinas with Gilroy. For a journey continuing into Santa Clara County, check the local interchange and separately operated VTA bus services. Our VTA bus schedules guide for Gilroy, San Jose and Santa Clara County explains the connecting network, including VTA Line 68 and other South County services.
Do not assume an MST ticket is automatically valid on VTA or that the operators’ schedules guarantee a connection. Check both timetables, the actual transfer location and each agency’s fare rules.
Monterey Airport and Late-Night Travel
Routes serving Ryan Ranch or nearby Monterey streets do not necessarily provide a direct stop at the airport terminal entrance. For an airport trip, enter the exact terminal address into MST’s trip planner and inspect the walking portion. Allow extra time for luggage, flight deadlines and any required transfer.
Late-night service also varies by line. Check the final bus from the precise stop rather than assuming a seasonal trolley, college route or daytime service continues into the evening.
Can Monterey College Students Ride MST for Free?
MST lists free fixed-route travel for eligible students at Hartnell College, Monterey Peninsula College and California State University, Monterey Bay during the specified fall and spring semesters.
Students should confirm current eligibility, semester dates and whether their selected service operates on the desired day. A free fare program does not make a weekday-only route run on weekends or school breaks.
Are Monterey MST Buses Wheelchair Accessible?
MST states that its regular fixed-route buses are accessible and equipped for wheelchair boarding. However, actual usability also depends on the boarding stop, sidewalk, curb, pedestrian crossing, temporary closure and the rider’s individual needs.
MST RIDES Eligibility and Reservations
MST RIDES serves eligible passengers within the applicable paratransit corridor, generally extending three-quarters of a mile from fixed-route service. Both the origin and destination must meet the service-area requirements.
According to MST, reservation requests may be made up to seven days in advance and until 5 PM for the next day’s service, subject to the program’s booking conditions and trip availability.
Read official MST RIDES eligibility, service area and reservation instructions.
Accessible Trip Micro-Steps
- Find the route serving your origin and destination.
- Check the exact boarding stop and direction.
- Inspect accessible sidewalks, curbs and crossing points.
- Check the correct transit-center bay.
- Verify boarding equipment and mobility assistance if needed.
- Check reduced-fare eligibility and identification.
- Contact MST if a particular boarding stop or transfer remains uncertain.
MST also offers travel training designed to help interested riders learn how to use fixed-route transit safely and independently. Check the MST Mobility Services directory for travel training, RIDES, reasonable modifications and other available assistance.
How to Read an MST Bus Schedule Without Missing Your Bus
Choose the operator’s actual route number or name, including branches such as Jazz A versus Jazz B.
Look for weekday, Saturday, Sunday, holiday or seasonal notes.
The return trip may have different streets, stops and gates. Check the bus headsign.
Printed maps identify major timepoints. An ordinary stop between them may not have its own column.
Do not combine the departure from one scheduled bus with the arrival of another bus.
Find your four-digit stop ID and check the updated arrival before leaving.
MST says that when a stop lies between published timepoints, riders should use the preceding timepoint as a planning reference, then check current arrival information for the actual stop.
For additional guidance on interpreting route numbers, directions, stop IDs, headways and scheduled-versus-live information, see our practical transit bus timetable reading guide. This is especially helpful when transferring between MST services with very different schedules.
What to Do When the MST Bus Schedule Does Not Match Your Trip
Check whether the tracker is showing only scheduled information, and look for route alerts. Missing GPS data does not always mean the trip is canceled.
Find the major timepoint before your stop, then use the four-digit stop ID or route map for a more specific arrival.
Recheck the walking connection and consider an earlier bus. A timetable may show a connection that leaves little margin for traffic delays.
Check its seasonal calendar. Service ended September 8, 2026 and is expected to return during Memorial Day weekend 2027.
Check whether you used the same payment credential and whether a discount was registered. Review MST’s payment troubleshooting page for help.
Check the full route number and street variation. This is especially important for Jazz A/B, Lines 1/2 and Sand City–Marina Lines 17/18.
Monterey MST vs Santa Barbara MTD: Are They the Same?
No. MST is Monterey-Salinas Transit in Monterey County. MTD can refer to other transit operators, including Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District. Their networks, route numbers, fares and passes should not be treated as interchangeable.
If you are planning a longer California coastal itinerary that also includes Santa Barbara, our MTD bus schedule guide covering Santa Barbara transit explains that city’s separate routes, fares and trip-planning tools. Use MST information for Monterey and MTD information for Santa Barbara.
Monterey-Salinas Transit Phone Number and Service Locations
Route planning, fare questions, stop information and passenger assistance.
201 Pearl Street
Monterey, California 93940.
Customer service and fare-related assistance.
110 Salinas Street
Salinas, California.
Regional route connections and customer-service resources.
280 Reservation Road
Marina, California.
Bus connections and listed fare-service location.
MST publishes free language assistance, including Spanish and Tagalog support. If you require an interpreter, explain your language preference when contacting the agency.
Before visiting a service counter, confirm its current hours, accepted payment methods and whether the specific service you need is offered there.
Monterey MST Bus Boarding Checklist
- Confirm the exact MST route number or Jazz branch.
- Select the correct weekday, weekend or holiday timetable.
- Check whether the route is seasonal or school-term only.
- Find the correct boarding stop or transit-center gate.
- Check the bus destination sign.
- Confirm the regular or discount fare.
- Prepare cash, GoPass, GoCard or contactless payment.
- Check the four-digit stop number in MST RealTime.
- Arrive at least five minutes before the expected bus.
- Check the final return trip and any active detours.
Monterey MST Official Bus Schedule and Rider Resources
These agency-operated resources provide the final timetable, map, fare, accessibility and service information. The links below are organized by what riders need to accomplish after opening them.
Review the current route network and the August 29, 2026 service-change summary.
Open MST RoutesSelect an individual line to access its timetable, stop map and printable schedule.
Open Route ListCheck Monterey–Marina–Salinas departures, stop information and the current route PDF.
Open Line 20 ScheduleFind the regional map, Monterey Peninsula map and transit-center loading diagrams.
Open MST MapsRegular and discount fares, pass prices, GoCard, GoPass and approved student programs.
Open Fare InformationRead fare-capping rules, registration, tap requirements and troubleshooting.
Open Contactless Payment GuideText-message arrivals, phone instructions, Transit app and map-based tracking.
Open RealTime InstructionsReview current detours, stop relocations and temporary service disruptions.
Open Service AlertsLearn boarding, fare validation, timepoint reading, stop signals and exiting procedures.
Read Rider InstructionsEligibility, service area, reservation windows and disability-related transportation support.
Open RIDES InformationIndependent-site notice: BusSchedule.us is not Monterey-Salinas Transit. This guide does not operate MST buses, issue official tickets, control vehicle tracking, determine eligibility or guarantee arrival times.
Monterey MST Bus Schedule FAQs
1. Where can I find the Monterey MST bus schedule?
Open MST’s official route list at mst.org/route-list/, select your line, choose the travel day and direction, and check the departure time for your actual stop. MST RealTime can provide more recent arrival information where available.
2. What routes does Monterey-Salinas Transit operate?
MST operates routes serving Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, Seaside, Sand City, Marina, Salinas, Watsonville and other communities. Important services include Lines 1, 2, 5, 17, 18, 20, 24, 25, 28, 29, 59, Jazz A and Jazz B. Additional local and regional routes are listed in the official directory.
3. How much is the MST bus fare in 2026?
MST lists a regular fixed-route fare of $2 for a two-hour period and a $1 discount fare for eligible riders. Regular daily, weekly and monthly amounts are $6, $20 and $70 respectively, under the published pass and fare-capping rules.
4. Does MST accept contactless debit and credit cards?
Yes. MST accepts supported contactless bank cards and mobile wallets. Riders should follow the agency’s tap-on, transfer and tap-off instructions. Fare capping requires consistent use of the appropriate payment credential.
5. Which MST bus goes from Monterey to Salinas?
MST Line 20 connects Monterey Transit Plaza and Salinas Transit Center through Sand City and Marina. Select the correct direction and service date on MST’s official Line 20 page.
6. How do I track an MST bus in real time?
Use MST RealTime through text, telephone, the Transit app or map-based tools. You can text Next followed by a four-digit stop number to 25370. MST explains that arrival information more than about 15 minutes away may be scheduled rather than GPS-predicted.
7. Is the Monterey Trolley running in November 2026?
No regular seasonal trolley service is scheduled for November 2026. MST announced that the 2026 Monterey Trolley season ended September 8 and is expected to resume during Memorial Day weekend 2027.
8. Do college students ride MST buses for free?
Eligible Hartnell College, Monterey Peninsula College and CSUMB students can ride free under MST’s published fall and spring semester programs with the required student identification or approved registration method. Route operating days and academic schedules still apply.
9. Are Monterey MST buses wheelchair accessible?
MST states that its fixed-route buses are accessible and equipped for wheelchair boarding. Individual stop conditions should still be checked. The agency also offers MST RIDES ADA paratransit for eligible passengers whose disabilities prevent them from using regular fixed-route service.
10. How early should I arrive at an MST bus stop?
MST recommends arriving at least five minutes before the expected bus. Allow more time for an unfamiliar transit center, a transfer, mobility assistance, luggage, seasonal service or a trip with limited departures.