North County Transit District will run an extra northbound COASTER train after San Diego Padres home playoff games, giving Encinitas-area fans a late-night ride home from Petco Park.
The transit agency announced on X on Sunday, Oct. 4 that the additional train will depart 60 minutes after the end of each game or fireworks show, with an absolute departure of midnight. The service covers the Encinitas station at 25 East "D" St., where free parking is available.
Jim O'Hara of Encinitas serves on the NCTD board, which oversees the commuter rail line.
The first home playoff game is Tuesday, Oct. 6, when the Padres host the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. If necessary, Game 4 follows Wednesday, Oct. 7. Milwaukee leads the series 2-0 after a walk-off win Sunday, Oct. 4, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The Padres clinched a franchise-record third straight postseason berth on Sept. 25, KPBS reported.
NCTD ran similar extra trains for the final two regular-season home games on Tuesday, Sept. 29, and Wednesday, Sept. 30. The agency's announcement did not specify whether the playoff service would continue beyond the division series if the Padres advance.
What riders need to know
Other North County stations served by the late train include Solana Beach, Carlsbad Poinsettia, Carlsbad Village and Oceanside Transit Center. Free parking is available at most stops.
A one-way adult COASTER fare is $6.50 under the flat-fare structure NCTD adopted Oct. 1. Seniors, disabled riders and Medicare recipients pay $3.25. A Regional Day Pass, which covers the round-trip COASTER fare and MTS Trolley transfers to and from Petco Park, costs $15 for adults and $7.50 for seniors, disabled riders and Medicare recipients. As we reported Sept. 30, the new flat fare replaced the old zone-based pricing.
Riders 18 and under ride free with a Youth Opportunity Pass PRONTO account or Youth PRONTO card. Children 5 and under ride free with an adult at all times.
NCTD recommends loading fares on the PRONTO app or PRONTO card before game day. Open containers and alcohol consumption are prohibited at stations and aboard trains.
The full gameday schedule and trip-planning details are available at gonctd.com/Padres.
