MTS Proposed Changes
View two proposed fare package changes from MTS, or review the MTS Funding FAQs. At this time, the MTS survey has closed.
San Diego’s transit agencies are facing budget shortages in the next few years, which could affect service (how often bus and rail service runs, how many routes are available, cleaning, and more). As part of their research for long-term funding sources, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit – San Diego Railroad (NCTD) asked SANDAG to conduct a fare study to determine if fares should change in order to keep service levels as high as possible.
MTS and NCTD collected high level feedback in fall 2025 to inform each agency’s research for possible fare changes. Please see the document library for reports on those surveys that were presented to the agencies' Boards of Directors.
View the NCTD Fare Change webpage. Click here to take the NCTD fare change proposal survey. (Please see additional opportunities for in-person engagement in the events sections.)
The MTS survey has closed. Please stay tuned for more information, and see upcoming events for important Board dates.
For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or view the timeline below.
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Important Dates
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
NCTD Virtual Workshop
NCTD will host a virtual workshop to provide background on the fare change proposals, answer rider questions and provide other important information. RSVP at the Zoom link.
Thursday, March 19, 2026 9:00 am
MTS Board Meeting
The MTS Board of Directors will receive an interim update on the fare change study and public outreach through mid-late February. This is an informational item only. See the Board agenda and meeting information here.
Thursday, March 26, 2026 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
NCTD Virtual Workshop
NCTD will host a virtual workshop to provide background on the fare change proposals, answer rider questions and provide other important information. RSVP at the Zoom link.
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NCTD Proposed Changes
View two proposed fare package changes from NCTD, and take the survey.
Additional in-person and virtual workshops are also available throughout March.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about why this is happening, and what this means for riders.
Fare Change Study Timeline
Phase One
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Timeline item 1 - complete
October - Early November 2025: Rider Surveys
In person and online, transit agencies gather rider input on fare changes and their possible impacts.
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Timeline item 2 - complete
November - January 2025: Developing Possible Fare Changes
SANDAG and transit agencies research how different fare changes could affect service (revenues, ridership, etc.)
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Timeline item 3 - active
February-March 2026: Fare Change Proposal Feedback
Transit agencies will bring proposed fare change packages to the public for community feedback, in advance of additional feedback to agency Boards of Directors.
As of early March, the MTS survey has closed for public feedback. The NCTD survey will be open through March.
Phase Two
If MTS and NCTD’s Boards of Directors decide they want to move forward with a fare change:
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Timeline item 1 - incomplete
March - May 2026: Public Hearings
Public hearings and a vote to determine if and/or which fare changes will happen.
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Timeline item 2 - incomplete
June 2026: Final SANDAG Public Hearing (Tentative)
Two formal public readings at SANDAG’s Transportation Committee meetings, followed by a vote to accept or reject the proposed changes.
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Timeline item 3 - incomplete
July - September 2026: Fare Changes Implemented
If fare changes are approved into the Regional Fare Ordinance, riders can expect these to happen no earlier than July 1, 2026.
