Budget Crisis Could Force End to One-Third of Bus Routes and Less Frequent Trolleys
David Garrick at the U-T reported on a scary scenario for San Diego’s mass transit system. Garrick stated “a looming budget crisis” could “eliminate one-third of bus routes,” — and “reduce service on another one-third” and force “San Diego trolley’s four lines [to run] less frequently.”
This is certainly a doomsday outlook as Metropolitan Transit System officials attempt to deal with “annual budget deficits of $100 million to $150 million” but not until fiscal year 2030.
It’s all a “rough draft”, Garrick says. But it could “wipe out 33 of the 95 MTS bus routes….” That’s a lot of bus routes. Garrick must get his info from MTS and he reports the wipe out could include “the end of service to SeaWorld, Cabrillo National Monument, Tierrasanta and parts of Mission Hills.”
There would be notable service reductions for another 29 routes. Like, “Sunday service could be eliminated on a route or the frequency of service could be reduced from once every half an hour to once every hour.”
All four trolley lines – blue, green, orange and copper – would also see reductions in service frequency, MTS officials said. Trains now typically run every 15 minutes on most routes.
About 36% of MTS riders would experience service frequency reductions, while another 21% would lose service entirely.
21%? That’s a fifth of all MTS riders. That’s a public transit breakdown.
“The bleak scenario would be necessary despite fare increases scheduled to take effect Oct. 1. But it could be avoided if MTS gets some sort of state bailout or if local voters approve a sales tax hike devoted to transit in 2028.”
Aha! Either the state or another sales tax hike.
Garrick reports these two seemingly contradictory aspects:
One, “The service cuts would be necessary because the plan calls for eliminating 300 operators and mechanics, either through layoffs or attrition.”
And two, “A key source of the MTS budget crisis has been large pay raises the agency has given to employees in recent years.”
Now, Garrick cites MTS Chief Executive Sharon Cooney who said the pay hikes were necessary. “We really do need to pay wages that will allow people to work and live here in San Diego,” she told the MTS board.
Cooney said she remains hopeful the state will bail out MTS and other struggling transit agencies across California. Many agencies blame the pandemic for dramatically shifting commuting patterns. Cooney said allowing devastating cuts to MTS service would be a mistake.
“This is a really strong transit-mobility network that cannot fail,” she said. “It will have serious implications for the economy here in San Diego if we do fail.”
The cuts would be even worse if MTS wasn’t planning to move $50 million earmarked for capital and construction projects to operations, which would shrink the projected deficit in fiscal 2030 from $141 million to $91 million.
When members of the MTS board asked for more details on the specific routes that would be affected, MTS officials said those won’t be ready until this fall.
“This is not a proposed plan at this point,” said Brent Boyd, MTS director of scheduling and planning. “This is really just an estimation of the scale of what we’re looking at — kind of a snapshot of the possibilities.” Boyd said the exact routes and the specific reductions proposed will come soon. “We’ll be bringing back much more detailed plans in November or December — much more fleshed out,” he said.
The more detailed proposal will be presented to the public in January 2027 at workshops and then possibly approved by the board next spring, he said. Any service cuts would have to be analyzed under federal Title VI to ensure they don’t burden low-income or minority populations more than is allowed. Members of the public can provide input on possible cuts at the MTS transit shop website.
Apparently MTS officials let Garrick know that despite a fare hike coming on Oct. 1, “It’s the first fare increase in 17 years for monthly passes on local buses and the trolley. The cost of a pass will jump from $72 to $85 on Oct. 1 and then to $95 in fall 2027 — up nearly 31%. And it will be the first increase in seven years for one-way fares, which will rise from $2.50 to $3 on Oct. 1 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.”
The hikes won’t apply to anyone enrolled in government assistance programs: CalFresh, CalWORKs or Medi-Cal. For details, visit ridepronto.com.
Providing mass transit is a responsibility of good government. If it breaks down and collapses, that’s a breakdown in government.
Fortunately, we’re not on the literal verge of a collapse, but it’s possibly not that far off. How about this: lower bus and trolley fares tremendously — see if the ridership increases dramatically — and maybe the budget crisis would be resolved, instead of the other way around.
Reduced service and increased prices are NOT going to increase ridership.
Just this morning I passed by the intersection of Mt Abernathy & Balboa Ave, a major Clairemont thoroughfare that you would expect to be an especially busy Public Transportation route as heading west takes you to the Balboa Avenue Transit Center (trolley stop). Approximately 8:45am Tuesday morning, heading west, I see three people at the bus stop on the northwest corner. Two are women, standing well away from the covered bench provided there. The third is an “unknown” – someone completely wrapped up in a dirty sleeping bag, lying on the ground next to a blue suitcase. Could have been a dead body for all you could tell. One of our many “unhoused San Diegans”.
Each time I avail of PT, usually only for Padres games, I encounter at least one of San Diego’s Finest Citizens on the trolley. My head is on a swivel due to their unpredictable behavior.
How can we expect to have strong utilization of our public transportation system if it is not safe and you cannot feel secure in riding it ? Let’s face reality – who in their right mind is taking the bus if they have a choice ? Maybe a few “civic minded” folks, trying to do their part to address “climate change”. Maybe a few for who the economics make sense (ie can’t afford $200/month to park downtown).
For public transportation to succeed, it needs to be safe, convenient and affordable. Has to be all three, not “pick any two”.
We’ve known all this for some time, yet very little has changed. So the inevitable cycle continues – raise the rates, lessen the service, face declining ridership, rinse, repeat.
“Let’s face reality – who in their right mind is taking the bus if they have a choice ?”
I do all the time, and this is despite the fact I have a vehicle. Regardless of what you see, the bus lines I take get packed.