By David Garrick / San Diego U-T / April 17, 2026
Fares to ride local buses and trains would rise 30% under fare increase packages approved Thursday by the county’s two transit agencies, the Metropolitan Transit System and the North County Transit District.
It would be the first fare hike in 17 years for monthly passes on local buses, the San Diego Trolley and the Sprinter. The cost of a pass would jump from $72 to $85 this fall and then to $95 in fall 2027 — up nearly 31%.
And it would be the first increase in seven years for one-way fares, which would rise from $2.50 to $3 this fall and then to $3.25 in fall 2027. That’s a 30% hike, far steeper than the last increase in 2019 from $2.25 to $2.50.
Discounted fares for seniors, passengers with disabilities and people on Medicare would rise less sharply, from $1.25 to $1.50 for one-way fares and from $23 to $30 for monthly passes.
The fare hike package is scheduled for approval next month by the Transportation Committee of the county’s regional planning agency, the San Diego Association of Governments.
Leaders of both transit agencies said the fare increases were needed to solve budget challenges. The MTS hikes are projected to boost annual revenue $14.2 million, while the NCTD hikes would raise $1.2 million.
The MTS board voted 7-4 to approve the fare increase package after a contentious public hearing Thursday morning.
Supporters said fare increases were preferable to the option of cutting transit service and were a necessary move to help MTS ease long-term financial challenges, including a projected $100 million annual deficit in fiscal 2030.
Opponents said MTS shouldn’t be balancing its budget on the backs of people who can least afford an increase. They also said MTS had not fully explored other possible ways to solve its financial problems, such as seeking more state aid, charging premium rates for special events and price-bundling with Padres tickets.
San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, chair of the MTS board, said the agency would have to make painfully deep cuts to service without a fare hike.
“I don’t want to vote to increase fares, but I don’t want to vote to cut service — and it’s one or the other,” Whitburn said.
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