PRESS RELEASE
Metropolitan Transit System Implements Easy Fare Payments
Contact: Will Moore, Policy Counsel, Circulate San Diego - 858-210-7999 | [email protected]
This week, the Metropolitan Transit System updated its PRONTO payment system to make fares easier to pay using contactless payments. Now riders can pay fares with their bank cards (debit cards, credit cards, prepaid cards), and mobile wallets (e.g. Apple Pay, Google pay, etc.).
Previously, if you had a guest in town, they would have to download the PRONTO app and set up an account before they could join you on a simple trolley ride to the ballpark. Now they can just tap their credit card on the reader at the station or on the bus. It’s the same way many people already pay for things at a store.
Will Moore, Policy Director for Circulate said, “This will benefit all riders of the system, since a familiar payment system reduces confusion and gets everybody on the trolley or the bus faster.”
Connor Proctor, a founding member of Ride SD said, “This will make it simple and easy for San Diegans to start using public transit, helping our region meet its climate action goals.”
Circulate has urged MTS to implement free transfers and stored value since 2016, recommendations that were implemented by the creation of the PRONTO system. RideSD and Circulate have both urged the implementation of a robust system for easy fare payment. The most recent letters from both organizations, explaining the benefits of the new system, are linked here and here, and attached to this Press Release. Circulate also detailed how easy fare payments improve service times in its October 2022 report “Fast Bus.”
We commend MTS staff for working to quickly release contactless payments with free transfers. However, the new system as launched lacks important features: riders should be able to benefit from fare-capping and should be able to register their bank cards to their transit accounts to take advantage of reduced fares. These features are said to be forthcoming, but unfortunately do not have an announced timeline for implementation. Circulate and RideSD will continue to advocate that MTS promptly complete the implementation of the new easier fare payment system.
Circulate and RideSD are pleased to see this change, giving San Diegans improved, faster, and easier-to-use transit options.
A pdf version of this press release can be found here.
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About Circulate San Diego
Circulate San Diego is a regional nonprofit think tank dedicated to advancing mobility and making the region a better place to move, work, learn and play. Our work focuses on creating great mobility choices, more walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, and land uses that promote sustainable growth. For more information, go to www.circulatesd.org.
About Ride SD
Ride SD is a nonprofit coalition of transit riders working to improve the transit experience in San Diego through education, community building, and advocacy. For more information, go to ridesd.org
