By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–Following extensive public outreach through various workshops and community meetings, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Transportation Committee approved the transit fare changes proposed by the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and the North County Transit District (NCTD) on July 17. It is the first significant fare increase since 2009.
The approved fare increases will help keep transit service levels as high as possible as the agencies face budget challenges in the coming years. The increases will be implemented over two years with the goal of lessening the initial impact on transit riders. The first increase will take effect on October 1. The second increase will begin on October 1, 2027.
This fall, monthly MTS and NCTD passes will increase from $72 to $85 for adults and from $23 to $28 for senior, disabled, and Medicare recipient riders. Coaster passes will transition from a zone model to a flat fare model. The train’s one-way fares will reflect the current Zone 3 price of $6.50 for adults and $3.25 for senior, disabled, and Medicare recipient riders. Monthly Coaster passes will increase to $185 for adults and $60 for SDM riders.
The second increase in fall 2027 will increase monthly MTS and NCTD passes to $95 for adults and $30 for SDM riders.
The approved fare changes will not affect the Youth Opportunity Pass, which will continue to allow anyone ages 18 and under to ride transit for free with a Youth PRONTO app account or card. In addition, MTS and NCTD are moving forward with the new PRONTO LIFE (Low-Income Fare Eligible) Program, which is scheduled to launch October 1, 2026. The program will freeze current adult regional fares for eligible riders enrolled in CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and CalWORKs, ensuring that thousands of lower-income residents continue to have access to affordable public transportation even as regional fares increase.
Under state law and related agreements, SANDAG is responsible for the Comprehensive Fare Ordinance. The Board of Directors ratified the vote at their board meeting on July 24.
SANDAG is the regional agency that connects people, places, and innovative ideas by implementing solutions with our unique and diverse communities. We are committed to creating a San Diego region where every person who visits, works, and lives can thrive.
The Metropolitan Transit System operates 93 bus routes and four Trolley lines in 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego. MTS is a leader in advancing initiatives to create a greener, cleaner, and better-connected transit system in San Diego. Each weekday, more than 250,000 passenger trips are taken throughout the MTS system, taking people to work, school, health appointments, and other essential trips. In Fiscal Year 2025, the transit system served more than 81 million riders.
