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Transit fares go up: $3 rides and $85 monthly passes on MTS and NCTD
The first significant regional fare increase since 2009 took effect Oct. 1. A new program keeps current fares for riders enrolled in CalFresh, Medi-Cal or CalWORKs.
Riding transit in San Diego County costs more as of Thursday, Oct. 1. A one-way fare on most MTS and North County Transit District service is now $3 for adults and $1.50 for seniors, riders with disabilities and Medicare recipients.
The regional monthly pass went from $72 to $85 for adults and from $23 to $28 at the reduced rate. The Premium Regional pass is now $125, or $42 reduced. The Coaster switched to a flat fare of $6.50 one way for adults ($3.25 reduced), with monthly passes at $185 and $60.
A new low-income program, PRONTO LIFE, lets riders enrolled in CalFresh, Medi-Cal or CalWORKs keep paying the previous fares. Riders 18 and under still ride free with the Youth Opportunity Pass, which MTS says runs through June 2027.
SANDAG’s Transportation Committee approved the increase July 17, calling it the first significant fare hike since 2009 and citing budget pressure. A second step is already scheduled for Oct. 1, 2027, when the adult single ride rises to $3.25 and the adult monthly pass to $95.
How this story was made: drafted with AI assistance, then checked line by line against the sources below by a San Diego Insight editor before publishing. Our standards.
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