San Diego transit agencies unveiled a new reduced-fare program Thursday just ahead of the general fare increase that kicks in Oct. 1.
The program, called Pronto Life, “essentially freezes” current fare prices for tens of thousands of people enrolled in state assistance programs – CalFresh, MediCal or CalWORK.
“Eligible riders will pay just $2.50 for a one-way trip, with a $6 daily pass and a $72 monthly pass,” said San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, also an MTS board member, during a press conference rolling out Pronto Life. “It will essentially freeze the past prices of today for riders who need our help the most.”
Starting in three weeks, the Metropolitan Transit System and North County Transit – San Diego Railroad will increase one-way passes from $2.50 to $3, daily passes from $6 to $7, and monthly passes from $72 to $85.
Next October, fares will increase again to $3.25 daily and $95 for a monthly pass.
To avoid that fare increase, eligible riders can apply online or in person for a Pronto Life pass with documents that verify their state program enrollment.
The transit agencies estimate there are approximately 34,000 current transit pass holders who will qualify for Pronto Life, but many more countywide who could qualify.
One young rider praised Pronto Life for helping young people maintain access to school, appointments and the library.
“I am very thankful to have this opportunity to save money, especially since I’m currently in a shelter,” said a youth identified only as Ollie M.A.C.. “Having access to transportation is a key to getting out of homelessness.”
In total, about 365,000 San Diegans are enrolled in CalFresh and will qualify for the passes. However, that is a decrease from previous years, after the passage of H.R. 1 in 2025. Known as “The Big Beautiful Bill,” the act cut federal food assistance programs, including for nearly all legal immigrants, while also adding work requirements this summer.
“When fares are increasing, we want to do everything we can to lessen that burden,” Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, who chairs the MTS board, said.
Existing reduced fare programs, like the Youth Opportunity Pass for those under age 18 to ride free, remain in place. Dual enrollment in multiple reduced-fare programs is not allowed.
One MTS program, known as SDM, for seniors, people with disabilities and those enrolled in Medicare, also includes a fare increase in October, but will still cost less than Pronto Life.
SDM riders’ fares change from $1.25 to $1.50 per one-way ride, from $3 to $3.50 for a day pass, and from $23 to $28 for a monthly pass. Most of those fares will remain flat in 2027, except for the monthly pass which will rise a second time to $30.
Transit teams will check Pronto Life applications to make sure applicants do not qualify for a lower fare program, MTS spokesperson Hector Zermeno said.
Neither MTS nor North County Transit have had a fare increase since 2009. In the interim, the agencies faced funding hits from ridership dropping during the pandemic and lower-than-expected diesel tax revenue. Local sales tax revenue, another funding mechanism, also has stayed flat while bus and rail operator wages have risen 40% since 2019.
MTS is headed towards a financial cliff that the fare increases are meant to stave off until the legislature passes new funding options. Fare box recovery on its own will not be enough – in 2023, fares and fees accounted for less than 10% of transit systems’ funding in California.
“Keeping our transit system strong does require resources,” said San Diego County Supervisor and MTS board member Monica Montgomery-Steppe. “But when fares rise, we also have a responsibility to protect people who can least afford to absorb the increase.”
