CEO Advance

It’s been another incredible year for MTS. And it all starts with a great team that is motivated to do exceptional work. There’s a buzz about transit that hasn’t existed before in San Diego. The transportation landscape is changing, and we are changing the way San Diego moves.

            Our year started when the Board elected San Diego City Councilmember Georgette Gómez to her first term as chairperson on January 28. She is the first Latina to hold the post. Right away she came in with new ideas, a fresh approach and high energy to lead our Board. She loves transit, and she is positioned at City Hall and SANDAG to lead transit into a new era. Shortly after, we started the implementation process to expand our high-frequency bus network through the Transit Optimization Plan. Then, we opened the new Courthouse Trolley Station in April, and we ordered the agency’s first electric buses in May. In July, we had historically high ridership for Comic-Con. Comic-Con was followed by news of our fourth straight perfect score in the FTA Triennial Audit - an unprecedented achievement for a transit agency. And in October, we held the first region-wide Free Ride Day in San Diego’s history. Ridership spiked by 17%. It was encouraging to see thousands of San Diegans change up their commutes and choose transit on Free Ride Day. To attract more and retain new passengers, we are working on system improvements and initiatives that will add to our progress in 2019.

South Bay Rapid

The latest addition to our Rapid network, South Bay Rapid, will fully open on January 27 from the Otay Mesa border to downtown San Diego, operating every 15 minutes most of the day.

Fare Changes

We will continue to take steps to modify our fare structure. Any changes are anticipated to be made in early 2019. Increasing some fares will help us address our $9 million budget gap. The gap was created due to decreasing ridership the last four years. Senior/Disabled/Medicare (SDM) monthly fares could increase, while Youth fares could decrease. A $6 Day Pass is proposed along with a new $3 SDM/Youth Day Pass. 

Zero-Emissions Bus Pilot

Six New Flyer battery electric buses will arrive in late July 2019. We will be installing electric chargers at IAD in 2019, and KMD, South Bay and East County in 2020. Our team is currently studying MTS’ routes to determine the routes for the electric bus pilot program.

Next-Generation Fare Collection System

A vendor will be in place by the end of 2018 to implement our new fare collection system. In 2019, we will be designing the hardware and software for the new system.

MTS Ballot Measure

Our plan is to test concepts in surveys and focus groups in early 2019 to determine whether a 1/2-cent sales tax measure in 2020
is feasible.

Thank you all for being a part of our success in 2018. When we work in unison towards our common goals, I am confident we will be just as successful in 2019.

Paul Jablonski

CEO, Metropolitan Transit System