Local

San Diego transit fares rise October 1

Single MTS rides increase to $3, monthly MTS and NCTD passes reach $85, and COASTER fares move to a flat-rate model.

Image credit: Tomtom7777 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; resized archival May 2026 photograph of an MTS Blue Line trolley, not the October fare change

San Diego County transit fares increase October 1 for Metropolitan Transit System buses and trolleys and North County Transit District services, Times of San Diego reported September 30. A single MTS ride rises to $3, while adult monthly MTS and NCTD passes increase from $72 to $85.

What it means locally

COASTER fares change from a zone system to a flat rate: one-way trips cost $6.50 for adults and $3.25 for senior, disabled and Medicare riders, while monthly COASTER passes rise to $185 and $60, respectively. The free Youth Opportunity Pass for riders 18 and younger remains unchanged. MTS says eligible CalFresh, Medi-Cal and CalWORKs participants can apply for the PRONTO LIFE program, which preserves lower fares on participating MTS and NCTD services. SANDAG approved the changes to help maintain transit service as the agencies face budget pressure. The accompanying photograph shows an MTS UC San Diego Blue Line trolley at Executive Drive Station in May 2026 and is archival; it does not depict the October fare change.

Full report and further details: Read original report →