In fall 2018, MTS and the North County Transit District (NCTD) proposed the first fare changes in a decade. Fare revisions were proposed to address the following issues:

Operational costs over the past 10 years have increased, while fare revenue has declined and fares have not increased

Increased fare revenue will assist in maintaining high levels of service

These changes will simplify the fare structure across the region

After conducting outreach at transit centers and community events around the region, as well as collecting nearly 800 online surveys, the MTS Board of Directors approved a recommendation for the following fare change proposal. The SANDAG Board of Directors will consider the changes at public hearings in January 2019.

Proposed Changes

Please note, the following outlines changes to MTS service fares. Visit the NCTD webpage for additional NCTD-specific changes.

Single discounted monthly pass for Senior, Disabled, Medicare (SDM) and Youth riders at $23

Addition of a new, discounted SDM and Youth Day Pass at $3

Increase the cost of a Regional Adult Day Pass from $5 to $6

Single one-way fare Adult price of $2.50 for MTS Trolley and buses

Single one-way SDM price of $1.25 for MTS Trolley and buses

MTS Rural Route one-way fare of $8 for Adults, $4 for SDM

Replace RegionPlus Pass ($12) with the Premium Regional Pass ($12, includes all MTS services, including Rapid Express, plus NCTD SPRINTER and BREEZE) and the COASTER Regional Pass ($15, includes all MTS fixed-route services, all NCTD fixed-routes services, including all COASTER zones)

Increasing the minimum age for senior discounts from 60 to 65 (seniors 60 years or older prior to the effective date will remain eligible for discounts)

Public Meetings

The next public hearing is scheduled to be held at the SANDAG Board of Directors Meeting at 9 a.m. on January 25, 2019, at the SANDAG offices, with a final vote at the SANDAG Board of Directors Meeting, on February 8, 2019 at 9 a.m.