The boards of both the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and the North County Transit – San Diego Railroad (NCTD) recommended the first significant fare increase since 2009.

The agencies, which share a fare system (PRONTO), proposed the changes to help address their respective financial sustainability strategies.

The final proposals from MTS and NCTD are expected to be brought to a vote by the San Diego Association of Governments’ (SANDAG) Transportation Committee, with final fare ordinance adoption anticipated in May and June.

If approved by SANDAG, fare increases are expected to take effect this fall in a phased approach over two years, lessening the initial impact on transit riders, officials said, with the second increase to be implemented in the fall of 2027.

The fare increases are part of a wider set of strategies to push past a fiscal cliff and identify sustainable, long-term funding solutions that preserve vital transit service for San Diego.

What Does the Fare Increase Look Like?

In the recommendation, MTS and NCTD monthly passes would increase from $72 to $85 for adults and from $23 to $28 for seniors, disabled, and Medicare recipients (SDM) riders later this year.

During phase two in the fall of 2027, monthly passes would increase to $95 for adults and $30 for SDM. NCTD COASTER passes will change from a zone model to a flat-fare model this fall. COASTER one-way fares would reflect the current Zone 3 price of $6.50 for adults and $3.25 for SDM riders, while monthly COASTER passes would increase to $185 for adults and $60 for SDM riders.

Additional changes to a variety of other MTS and NCTD services would also apply.

Officials said several factors have contributed to the current financial challenges facing MTS and NCTD, many of which mirror trends impacting transit agencies nationwide. These factors include rising workforce costs, higher operating expenses, flat sales tax revenues, and limited local funding.