COASTER - How to Ride


this page contains:
Ticket Vending Machines | Bikes & Wheelchairs | Rules & Tips | For Your Safety | GRH Program


The COASTER is priced by station zones. All tickets and monthly passes are available by mail, phone order and at COASTER station Ticket Vending Machines. No tickets are sold on the train.

Plan to arrive at your station at least 20 minutes before your train departs to find parking and purchase your tickets (especially for Padres trains). COASTER trains only stop for about 30 seconds at each station to drop off and pick up passengers.


Ticket Vending Machines

   
The old COASTER TVMs were replaced with new, state-of-the-art machines in spring, 2007. The new TVMs self-validate a ticket, so passengers no longer need to separately validate their tickets in the orange validation machines.

TVMs accept cash, credit cards (Visa and Mastercard only) and debit cards. With cash purchases, TVMs give a maximum of $10 in change. To purchase single tickets, please use bills smaller than $10.

New TVMs do not dispense discounted 10-trip tickets for future travel. Only one way, round trip and monthly passes are sold from the new TVMs. Click here to learn more about tickets and passes.

Tickets and passes are non-refundable and non-replaceable. COASTER ticket vending machines do not sell Metrolink or Amtrak tickets.

 


Bikes & Wheelchairs

There are bike areas on the COASTER. Enter the train car through doors marked with a bicycle emblem and store your bike in one of the spaces provided in the lower level of each train. Simply secure your bike's front and back wheels using the black Velcro straps. Bikes must not exceed six feet in horizontal length, must not have any protrusions and must not block seats, aisles, doorways or exits. Unsecured bicycles are subject to removal from the train. Bicycle lockers are available at COASTER stations. Call RideLink at 511 and say "ride link" when prompted to obtain a locker.

All trains, stations and platforms are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Special access ramps are located at the south end of each station platform (look for the raised platform with yellow railing). When the train arrives, the conductor will lay down a ramp from the platform to the train door for use by passengers in mobility devices. Each rail car features an accessible restroom, boarding ramp and two wheelchair spaces. Passengers in mobility devices do not need to strap in.

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Rules & Tips - Passenger Code of Conduct


Cell Phones
When using a cell phone on board the train, please be considerate of others and avoid speaking loudly. COASTER staff and your fellow passengers will appreciate your cell phone etiquette.

Consideration
Do not engage in loud or profane speech, or act in a manner that is disruptive or threatening to others.

Children
Children must be supervised for their safety and in consideration of other passengers. Children must not be allowed to stand on seats.

For Your Safety and the Safety of All Passengers
Exercise caution and use hand holds and railings when standing, walking on-board the train, or descending the stairwells, especially as the train comes to a stop. Do not block aisles, exits or doorways.

Hazardous Materials
With the exception of oxygen for personal medical use, materials considered as hazardous by the U.S. Department of Transportation are not permitted on trains.

Littering
Please keep the trains clean for your fellow passengers. Use the trash receptacles provided or take trash with you when you leave.

Luggage, Surfboards and Other Belongings
Passengers' belongings, including surfboards, must not exceed 6 feet in length, and must not block seats, aisles, doorways or exits. Surfboards and open strollers are permitted only on the lower-level of cars. Surfboards and skateboards must be carried in a manner that does not pose a hazard to others.

No Smoking
State law prohibits smoking on COASTER trains.

No Soliciting

Pets
Small pets may be carried only if in proper containers or carriers that do not block the aisles.

Radios
The playing of sound equipment is allowed only with the use of headphones that do not disturb other passengers.

Seating
If you enter a car that appears to be full, make your way forward or back to another car where seating is available. Riders can also find seating in the upper deck of the cars. Designated seats near the COASTER doors are reserved for elderly, disabled or passengers with limited mobility. Please take only one seat for both you and your belongings. Please do not place your feet or stand on the seats.

Service Animals
Service animals for passengers with disabilities are permitted. Service animals are not permitted to occupy passenger seats and must not be disruptive or threatening to other passengers. Passengers are responsible for the conduct of their animals on-board the train.

Shirts / Shoes
Shirts, shoes and appropriate clothing must be worn at all times.

Tickets
All passengers must present a valid ticket or monthly pass to the conductor, ticket inspector, police or sheriff upon request.

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For Your Safety:

Cross the tracks only at designated crossings. Look both ways before crossing tracks, as some trains do not stop at stations and may be traveling at high speeds. Never cross tracks when red lights are flashing or bells are ringing, or when instructed not to cross by the station security officer.

While on the station platform, stand well behind the yellow line.

Use caution when moving between train cars.

Do not lean on or hold the train car doors open.

Use hand holds and exercise caution when standing, walking on-board the train, or descending the stairwells, especially as the train comes to a stop.

In case of emergency, notify the crew immediately. An emergency intercom is located on the lower level of each COASTER car near the restroom.

Station stops are brief, therefore, you should be ready to board the train as soon as it pulls into the station. Make sure to purchase your ticket prior to the train arriving at the station.

When disembarking the train, proceed to the exit doors before the train reaches intended station.

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Guaranteed Ride Home


Whether it is working unscheduled overtime or responding to a family emergency, RideLink's Guaranteed Ride Home Program (GRH) gives you the comfort of knowing a ride home is available in an emergency when the COASTER is not immediately available.

The GRH service is available to COASTER commuters who purchase monthly passes and are enrolled in RideLink's Regional GRH Program, sponsored by SANDAG. Call 511 or visit Transit.511sd.com.

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