Soon if people want to get on mass transit and don’t have the exact fare or a Pronto card, they’ll simply be able to use their physical credit cards or smart devices on Pronto validators at MTS or NTCD transit stations.
The Metropolitan Transit System board recently approved a series of measures aimed at improving operations, accessibility, and security across the MTS transit system. These measures include the implementation of a credit card tap-to-pay feature, which will allow riders to simply tap their physical credit cards or smart devices to qualify for a ride.
MTS also announced it will bolster its security by adding 34 more code compliance inspectors to help patrol its expansive transit system. This approved increase will boost the total number of CCIs patrolling the system from 56 to 90 – a 60% increase. The agency also has 200 private security officers deployed through its contracted private security firm, Inter-Con.
The decision by MTS to increase the number of CCIs and other members of its security team was made after extensive community engagement with internal and external focus groups, and a customer satisfaction survey to measure rider and employee sentiment towards security presence on the MTS system. Beefing up security personnel will allow for increased coverage for the Trolley Train Team and Bus Enforcement Team, and the ability to have daily coverage for the Passenger Safety Team and the Homeless Outreach Team. The total annual cost for this increase in security staffing is approximately $4.2 million.
Mark Olson, MTS director of marketing and communications, said the payment changes were made both to add alternatives and streamline the payment system. “We wanted to allow for an open-payment system so people can bypass the ticket-revenue machines by just tapping their credit cards on the actual validators,” he said adding the new system “is a big investment, $1.2 million. But we feel that, based on the success we’ve had so far with Pronto, it is important to introduce new technology: That is a priority. It really helps with casual riders or visitors who may use the system.”
Olson said the new MTS payment system is expected to take effect in April 2024. “It is relatively quick,” he noted. “We want to have it in place for the next Padres season when we have a lot of special-event riders and for spring and summer when there are more visitors in town.”
Olson added that MTS ridership is currently about 80-85% of pre-pandemic levels.
Will Moore, policy counsel for Circulate San Diego, a nonprofit think tank promoting healthy mobility choices, praised MTS for being forward-thinking. He added it’s also a win-win for both the transit system and the customer. “This update will allow riders to pay fares with their bank cards (debit cards, credit cards, prepaid cards), and mobile wallets (e.g. Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.),” he said. “These are the methods that consumers already use for many, if not most, of their consumer purchases. MTS will benefit substantially if paying a fare becomes a more ‘normal’ transaction in the eyes of riders. Circulate has long advocated this additional capacity and we support the adoption of this item.”
MTS operates more than 100 bus routes and three trolley lines in 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego County. It is a leader in advancing initiatives to create a greener, cleaner, and better-connected transit system in San Diego. Each weekday more than 220,000 passenger trips are taken throughout the MTS system taking people to work, school, health appointments, and other essential trips. In FY 2022, MTS made more than 57 million transit trips.
For service schedule updates, news, alerts, and more information on how you can use public transportation, go to sdmts.com.
