Earlier this year, NCTD placed new COASTER cab and coach cars into service, improving the rider experience and enhancing the safety of its commuter rail service.
Photo: North County Transit District
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Fifty years ago, on September 20, 1975, the North County Transit Development Board was established by California Senate Bill No. 802 to plan, construct, and operate public transit in North San Diego County.
According to an agency release, the new transit agency's jurisdiction would include Oceanside, Carlsbad, San Marcos, Vista, Escondido, Fallbrook, Pauma, Valley Center, San Dieguito, and Ramona. The board would serve as the operator of bus service within the North County area, absorbing the municipal bus systems of Escondido and Oceanside.
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Since then, the North County Transit Development Board evolved into the North County Transit District, adopting the acronym NCTD, and is now operating as North County Transit – San Diego Railroad.
NCTD expanded its service to include the COASTER commuter rail in 1995, the SPRINTER hybrid rail in 2008, FLEX deviated fixed-route service, LIFT paratransit service, and NCTD+ on-demand service. Together, these services intertwine to provide a robust transit network for North County communities and into downtown San Diego.
On September 20, 1975, the North County Transit Development Board was established by California Senate Bill No. 802 to plan, construct, and operate public transit in North San Diego County.
Source: North County Transit District
Golden Anniversary Brings New Rail Cars, Logo, and Events
NCTD has achieved significant milestones over the course of 50 years. Earlier this year, NCTD placed new COASTER cab and coach cars into service, improving the rider experience and enhancing the safety of its commuter rail service.
This year, NCTD also unveiled a new logo. NCTD will redesign its SPRINTER vehicles, the first of which will be launched as part of the 50th Anniversary.
To celebrate its golden anniversary, NCTD will host pop-up events at stations with limited-edition giveaways (while supplies last) for passengers this week, from Tuesday, September 23, through Thursday, September 25.
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NCTD will also host a press conference and public anniversary celebration on Saturday, September 27, at 10 a.m.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
