Project Priorities
What three service improvements or future projects are most important to you, regardless of cost?
MTS is coming to a crossroads.
Public transportation in San Diego is seeing a lot of momentum.
However, that current growth is threatened by a projected budget shortage over $100 million in just a few years.
MTS has developed a short-term financial sustainability strategy to help bridge the funding gap through Fiscal Year 2030, in an effort to allow MTS the chance to get a new, long-term funding source in place (for example, new local or state funding).
MTS OnTrack will create two plans to help guide the future of MTS service. One plan that outlines service improvements if MTS gets more funding, and another plan outlining service cuts should MTS receive no additional funding. (You can learn more in the timeline below, or on our FAQ page.)
You can help shape the future of MTS by participating in MTS OnTrack activities:
- As MTS considers the possibility of a new transit funding measure on the local ballot in 2028, we're asking riders, "What projects would you want to see funded as part of any MTS ballot measure?"
- Get involved by completing the MTS Transit Shop and/or Project Priorities activities.
You can also learn more about MTS OnTrack, ridership, funding levels and more below.
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MTS Transit Shop
Pick which projects you would prioritize for any new MTS funding, but you only have $100 to spend!
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#2
Fastest growing ridership in the country since 2020
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80+ Million
Passenger trips taken on MTS buses and Trolleys
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71%
More youth trips since launch of free youth pass
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67%
Riders using MTS to get to work or school
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49%
Increase in riders reporting their primary trip purpose is for special event and leisure ridership
OnTrack Timeline
Phase 1: Plan for Better Service + Delaying the Budget Gap
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Timeline item 1 - complete
Community Feedback (April - September 2025)
DESIRED TRANSIT INVESTMENTS
MTS conducted in-person and online outreach to learn from community members what they want to see in the transit system should MTS receive more funding. More than 7,000 people are estimated to have participated in these efforts.A report on the first phase of community feedback will be available in mid-late October.
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Timeline item 2 - complete
Expanded Transit Service Design (October 2025 - January 2026)
MTS and its planning consultant, Transportation Management Design (TMD), will be evaluating all community feedback received to-date, and well as system performance, regional travel data and more.
At this stage, they will be creating proposed service improvements and projects to help meet the agency's goal of making transit work better for more people.
Expect to see proposals for community review and feedback in early 2026.
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Timeline item 3 - active
Proposed Project Improvements (April - June 2026)
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ON POSSIBLE TRANSIT PROJECTS
Community members will be invited to provide feedback on projects that could be included in any ballot measure that MTS chooses to pursue in 2028.
These projects are high level concepts that, if selected for a ballot measure expenditure list, would undergo further testing and modeling for final project costs and details.
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Timeline item 4 - incomplete
MTS OnTrack Added Service Plan (August - October 2026)
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ON SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS
The COA plan for added service is expected to be available for public review and comment in late summer / early fall 2026. This plan outlines in more detailed specifics, how changes to existing service would be improved with any new funding. For example, frequency level changes, Rapid route upgrades, new overnight services, etc.
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Timeline item 5 - incomplete
Final COA Added Service Plan Approval (Late 2026)
BOARD APPROVAL OF PLAN FOR SERVICE IMPROVEMENT
The final plan for service improvements is expected to go before the MTS Board of Directors in late 2026. The final plan will shape MTS priorities for service implementation should additional funding be secured.The service improvements outlined in the plan will only take place if/when additional funding is secured. Should no additional funding be available to MTS by the time the fiscal cliff arrives, service cuts are expected (please see MTS OnTrack phase two information).
Phase 2: Key Funding Decisions and Possible Service Cuts
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Timeline item 1 - incomplete
Proposed Service Cut Plan (Early 2027)
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ON PROPOSED SERVICE REDUCTIONS
Transit dependent communities and MTS riders will be asked to provide feedback on proposed service reduction packages and plans as the agency looks to address a potential $100 million budget shortfall.
This plan would outline how, if MTS does not receive any new funding by the end of 2028, significant service reductions would be applied to help balance the budget.
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Timeline item 2 - incomplete
Key Funding Decisions (November 2028)
LOCAL BALLOT MEASURE &/OR OTHER
MTS is looking at various avenues to secure new, long-term funding to support the sustainability of the existing system, and/or expansion to improve public transportation in the region. This could include new state funding, or a local measure on the 2028 ballot. -
Timeline item 3 - incomplete
Service Reductions & Public Hearing (November 2028-January 2029)
If no new funding is identified by the end of 2028, it is expected that significant service reductions would need to begin immediately.
The previously approved service reduction plan (early 2027 Board decision) would outline how MTS would start applying service reductions in early 2029 and ongoing. The first phase of changes could go before a Board of Directors for final implementation approval in late 2028.
As a reminder, the plan will only take place if, by the end of 2028, no additional is funding is identified. Please note: this date is subject to change, and MTS staff and the board of Directors are making every effort to delay the fiscal cliff. Should additional funding be secured, MTS would start implementing service improvements from phase one of MTS OnTrack starting in 2030, once new funding revenues have been generated.
