1 month ago
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San Diego transit officials say the possibility of raising fares for the first time in 16 years is supported by a new rider survey and a comparison study of fares at similar transit agencies.
The survey of 5,700 riders of the San Diego Trolley, Metropolitan Transit System buses and other local mass transit found that riders of every income level would support a fare hike over service cuts.
The comparison study of six other transit systems found that MTS was at the low end of the scale for two types of fares that generate the most revenue: adult one-way fares and adult monthly passes.
The new data comes as MTS officials prepare to reveal a variety of possible fare-increase scenarios at community forums scheduled for February and March.
Fare increases, which might happen as soon as next summer, could also affect the Sprinter light-rail line in North County and buses operated by the North County Transit District.
They’re are part of a multi-pronged MTS effort to close looming annual budget deficits of more than $100 million projected for coming years.
The agency is also planning to make minor cuts to bus and trolley service, raid funds intended for capital projects to pay routine operating expenses, and place a half-cent sales tax increase on the November 2028 ballot.
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