Public transit agencies across California offered free rides and other perks on Wednesday, as the state observed California Clean Air Day.
The annual event is organized by the Coalition for Clean Air, and is meant to encourage individual action to reduce air pollution and protect public health.
Organizers say it’s the largest clean air event in the state, and more than 3,200 individual Californians pledged to take clean air action, according to the organization’s 2026 pledge tracker.
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Of those who pledged to take action in support of clean air, approximately 2,800 said they would take alternative transportation or public transit on Clean Air Day.
For those who made that pledge, there were no shortage of public transit options across the state.
In support of Clean Air Day, dozens of California transit agencies joined the cause by offering free rides to encourage the use of public transportation.
Which public transit agencies offered free rides for Clean Air Day
- Los Angeles County: LA Metro, including bus, rail, Metro Micro and Bike Share; LADOT Transit; Foothill Transit; Pasadena Transit/Dial-A-Ride; Santa Monica Big Blue Bus; BurbankBus; Culver CityBus; Montebello Bus Lines.
- Southern California regional rail: Metrolink’s entire eight-line system, including Arrow between San Bernardino and Redlands, was free with no ticket required. Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner was not included in the free fares, despite existing codeshare agreements.
- Inland Empire/High Desert: Riverside Transit Agency; Omnitrans; Victor Valley Transit Authority; Morongo Basin Transit. RTA includes local, CommuterLink and GoMicro. VVTA excludes Commuter and Subscription services.
- Orange County: OCTA/OC Bus.
- San Diego County: North County Transit District Coaster, Sprinter, Breeze, Flex and NCTD+.
- San Diego MTS is not participating; neither are NCTD LIFT or Amtrak Rail 2 Rail.
- Ventura County: VCTC Intercity; Gold Coast Transit; Thousand Oaks Transit; Simi Valley Transit; Moorpark City Transit; Camarillo Area Transit; Valley Express; Ojai Trolley; Kanan Shuttle.
- VCTC says the free-fare program applies to bus service throughout Ventura County.
- Santa Barbara County: Santa Barbara MTD; Clean Air Express; Santa Maria Regional Transit; City of Lompoc Transit; Santa Ynez Valley Transit.
- Fixed-route service is free; microtransit and paratransit are excluded.
- Santa Cruz/Marin: Santa Cruz METRO, including Highway 17 Express and ParaCruz; Marin Transit local routes.
- Sacramento/Sierra: Sacramento Regional Transit and Nevada County Connects.
- SacRT requires riders to show its “Ride Transit” flyer on bus or light rail.
- San Joaquin County: Lodi GrapeLine, with free rides on all fixed-route buses.
Historically, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) participated in Clean Air Day, but it does not appear to be the case in 2026; AC Transit in San Francisco’s East Bay promoted the event and encouraged people to take public transit, but did not offer free rides as an incentive.
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In addition to the public transportation advocacy, California Clean Air Day also hosted a full lineup of outreach, clean-up and community events.
For more information about California Clean Air Day, click here.
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