Fare Change Study FAQ's

Learn more about why this is happening, and what this means for riders. If you have additional questions about the project, please email fares@sandag.org.

The fare change study is reviewing current transit fare pricing and structure. It will look at things like how much riders are paying, how easy the fares are to understand, and how fare changes will impact ridership. The goal of the study will be to determine if the current cost to ride transit balances fair prices for riders and the costs of providing reliable transit service.

The cost of providing transit services in San Diego has gone up significantly in recent years, while funding (from sources like sales tax and rider fares) has stayed the same or gone down.

In the near future, there will be 20-25% less money for the transit systems to operate more than 100 bus, train, and Trolley lines frequently throughout the day (including early and late hours). Funding is also used for fixing and cleaning vehicles and stations, security, and more.

The study is being done by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) on behalf of the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit – San Diego Railroad (NCTD).

This hasn't been decided yet, but the agencies are currently researching options by:

  1. Collecting feedback from transit riders, and
  2. Studying how different fare increase amounts could affect how often people ride transit and the funds collected from fares.

Changes could include:

  • A higher price for single rides, day passes, or monthly passes
  • Making prices simpler by removing zone-based or distance-based fares
  • Changing who qualifies for free or reduced-cost transit

The last study was conducted in 2018-2019, when the new fare collection system, called PRONTO, was implemented

Dates

What’s happening

October-November 2025

- MTS and NCTD survey riders to understand their priorities and how changing fares might affect them

- Research potential fare changes to see how much ridership and revenue would be impacted

January-February 2026

- Staff propose options for changing fares and get feedback from MTS and NCTD’s Boards of Directors

- Gather more feedback from riders on fare change options at transit centers and public workshops

Spring 2026

- Staff propose final fare change to Boards (community opportunity to make formal public comments)

- Community members will have an opportunity to make formal public comments

- MTS and NCTD’s Boards of Directors, then SANDAG’s Transportation Committee, vote on whether to recommend/approve proposed changes

Summer/Fall 2026

If approved, fare changes go into effect
  • Make a formal comment at one of the public hearings.
    • Send a letter to SANDAG PIO, Attn: Tim Garrett, 1011 Union Street, Suite 400, San Diego, CA 92101.
    • Email fares@sandag.org
    • Leave a message at 619-699-0641
    • Leave a comment through this webform

    You can email fares@sandag.org, or leave a voicemail at 619-699-0641.

    For people with hearing or speech impairments, please call 711.