PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2026
Contact
Aria Grossman, [email protected]
Circulate Planning & Policy Statement on Transit Fare Increase
SAN DIEGO—Today, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) voted to increase fares across the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) systems. Beginning on October 1, a standard one-way MTS trip will cost $3 and a monthly pass will cost $85. Riders eligible for Senior, Disabled, Medicare, and Youth discounted fares will pay $28 for a monthly pass.
“Making it more expensive to ride transit is never ideal, but this fare increase is necessary to maintain the levels of transit service that San Diego residents rely on,” said Aria Grossman, Policy Manager at Circulate Planning & Policy. “Raising fares was the only way to avoid reducing transit service, a trade off that transit riders time and time again say they prefer.”
The fare increases were adopted through an amendment to the Comprehensive Fare Ordinance. The amendment maintains long-standing fare affordability measures that Circulate has advocated for, like free transfers and fare capping. Using fare capping, riders can purchase individual daily rides, and never pay more than the cost of a daily and monthly pass. MTS and NCTD are also developing a Low-Income Fare Eligible (LIFE) Program, which will also maintain current fare levels for certain eligible riders.
Fares are set to increase one additional time on October 1, 2027. While necessary, these fare increases are only a temporary solution. MTS and NCTD will need to come up will additional revenue streams to address long-term deficits. As they seek long-term solutions, MTS and NCTD must identify funding measures that do not further burden riders, like ballot measures, seeking state operations funding, and creative advertising strategies.
About Circulate Planning & Policy
Circulate Planning & Policy is a nonprofit think tank based in San Diego, dedicated to advancing mobility and making the region a better place to move, work, 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, visit CirculateSD.org.
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