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 MTS proposed changes and take the MTS fare survey.

Currently, NCTD is working with SANDAG to model possible fare change scenarios with SANDAG. Please check back later in February for additional details.

At this time, riders are also encouraged to review upcoming events for opportunities to attend an in-person workshop, or transit center pop-up.

For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or view the timeline below.

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Upcoming Workshops

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Community Workshop (MTS): East County

RSVP to join the community workshop in El Cajon.

Thursday, March 05, 2026 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Community Workshop (MTS): Southeastern San Diego

RSVP to join the community workshop in Southeastern San Diego

  • MTS Proposed Changes

    View two proposed fare package changes from MTS, and take the survey.

    Riders are encouraged to review the MTS Funding FAQs prior to taking the survey.

    View Proposed Changes 

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Learn more about why this is happening, and what this means for riders.

    Learn More 

Fare Change Study Timeline

Phase One

  • 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.

  • Timeline item 2 - active

    November - January 2025: Developing Possible Fare Changes

    SANDAG and transit agencies research how different fare changes could affect service (revenues, ridership, etc.)

    (NCTD proposals are pending as of February 2026, but expect proposals to be available soon for public comment. MTS is actively accepting public comment on their fare proposals.)

  • 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.

Phase Two

If MTS and NCTD’s Boards of Directors decide they want to move forward with a fare change:

  • Timeline item 1 - incomplete

    March - May 2026: Public Hearings

    Public hearings and a vote to determine if and/or which fare changes will happen.

  • 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.

  • 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.