Local transit fares rise Thursday on Metropolitan Transit System buses and trolleys and the North County Transit San Diego Railroad.
Starting Thursday, single MTS fares rise to $3 a ride. Monthly MTS and NCTD passes will increase from $72 to $85 for adults and from $23 to $28 for senior, disabled and Medicare (SDM) recipient riders.
COASTER passes will change from a zone model to a flat fare model. COASTER one-way fares will reflect the current Zone 3 price of $6.50 for adults and $3.25 for SDM riders.
Monthly COASTER passes will increase to $185 for adults and $60 for SDM riders.
The approved fare changes will not affect the Youth Opportunity Pass, which allows anyone 18 and under to ride transit for free with a Youth PRONTO app account or card.
The San Diego Association of Governments approved the fare hikes to “help keep transit service levels as high as possible as the agencies face budget challenges in the coming years,” according to a statement from the regional agency.
Aria Grossman, policy manager at Circulate Planning & Policy, a nonprofit focused on offering San Diegans more options to get around, said the move by SANDAG was a tough, but needed one.
“Making it more expensive to ride transit is never ideal, but this fare increase is necessary to maintain the levels of transit service that San Diego residents rely on,” she said.
For the second approved increase in fall 2027, single rides will cost $3.25 and monthly MTS and NCTD passes will increase to $95 for adults and $30 for SDM riders.
Some low-income riders can apply to get a break.
Those enrolled in CalFresh, Medi-Cal or CalWORKs who are not already participating in another reduced-fare transit program with MTS or NCTD can use the new PRONTO Low-Income Fare Eligible Program.
MTS and NCTD estimate that there are around 34,000 eligible transit pass holders who may qualify for the program. Applications are now open.
Those eligible riders who enroll in PRONTO LIFE will receive reduced fares through their approved PRONTO card or mobile app, including $2.50 one-way fare, $6 day pass and $72 monthly pass. These discounts will apply to MTS buses and Trolley services, as well as NCTD regional bus services, the transit agencies said.
