RTA and SLO Transit
RTA is the Regional/County Bus
The San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (RTA) provides intercommunity public transportation. RTA's service area includes all of San Luis Obispo county and extends into Santa Barbara county to the south. Many of the routes include stops at Cal Poly and at the transit hub in downtown San Luis Obispo to accommodate any transfers you may need.
NEW!!! Cal Poly Free Regional 1-Day RTA Pass
Log one alternative trip to receive a free RTA pass!
Details: Three times a year you can claim a free regional transit pass! In order to qualify you must log one alternative trip.
Pass Claim Periods:
- 1 Pass can be claimed between 9/1-12/31 [you must log 1 alternative trip during this period of time to qualify]
- 1 Pass can be claimed between 1/1-6/31 [you must log 1 alternative trip during this period of time to qualify]
- 1 Pass can be claimed between 7/1-8/31 [you must log 1 alternative trip during this period of time to qualify]
The Regional RTA pass can be used on any transit operator in the County, including RTA, South County Transit, and Santa Maria Transit-on route 210 ONLY.
Create an account at Rideshare.org to join the Commuter Club, be sure to use your calpoly.edu email address, and start logging!
Academic Year 2025-26
TAPS offers subsidized RTA bus passes to commuting students and Cal Poly Employees! Sign up to get started, here’s how:
- Create an iRideshare.org account using your Cal Poly email address.
- 2. Log 16 commute trips (8 round trips) by any alternative. That’s only 2 round trips, per week, for 4 weeks. Commute trips must either arrive or depart from Cal Poly.
- After logging 16 trips, claim the bus pass in iRideshare under “my rewards” and follow the provided instructions on how to purchase pass from the Token Transit app.
- Repeat monthly.
- Questions? Email info@rideshare.org for help
This program uses the Token Transit app to send riders passes directly to a smart phone. Just show your ticket to the driver using your phone. Download the Token Transit app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
SLO Transit is the City Bus
SLO Transit 6X Farmers Market Tripper Returns for 2025/2026!
Beginning in September SLO Transit will move to its academic schedule offering later evening services, and adding the 6 Express service on Thursday evenings, providing a direct route from Cal Poly campus to the Downtown SLO Farmers' Market.
AnnouncementSLO Transit connects the city of San Luis Obispo and the campus directly. Find the bus route you need by checking out the SLO Transit Schedule. SLO Transit bus service is free to Cal Poly students, faculty, and staff with a valid Cal Poly ID.
Use the Bus Tracker App to find where the bus is, locate the closest stop to your present location, and get Rider Alert information. Get it on your computer, from Apple App Store or Google Play.
TAPS subsidizes SLO Transit so active students, faculty and staff can ride for free by swiping their Cal Poly ID. Since 1985, Cal Poly has financially subsidized the city bus system, allowing our students, staff and faculty to ride the bus at no cost to the rider. Funding comes from parking citation revenue, not from state general funds, nor from student tuition or fees.
If you have specific questions, please contact Commuter Services at 805-756-6680 or email commute@calpoly.edu