CEO Advance

CEO Advance

As we embark on 2020, I’m always amazed at how much we accomplish year-in and year-out. And all our successes really come back to a dedicated group of employees who commit countless hours to transit. You all are the face of MTS. And your hard work is very much appreciated. Here’s a look forward at what’s in store in the coming months.  

Elevate SD 2020 

We’ve been at the public outreach for Elevate SD 2020 for about eights months and it’s been very successful. We’ve reached tens of thousands of residents, so many of which – riders and non-riders – are supportive of our transit system. All of these conversations have given us a firm understanding of what residents want – a viable alternative to the car, and enhancing our current system. Now it’s our job to put together a plan that they will support at the November 2020 ballot box.

Over the next 3-4 months we will work closely with our Board of Directors and the public to refine a package of projects and services – new rail projects, expanding the Rapid network, doubling our frequencies, extending to 24-hour service and much more are on the table. My goal is to have our Board vote on a final package of projects by April 2020. At that point we will move into our education phase to ensure voters have the best information possible when they consider making a stronger investment in our transit system. 

UC San Diego Blue Line

The market on the Blue Line continues to grow! In June we added new trips on the Blue Line on weekdays in the early morning and mid-afternoon. This added service equated to a 20% increase in ridership before 6 a.m. Based on these results, we are now looking to increase frequencies even more and adding about $6 million in service. This includes all-day 7.5-minute service on weekdays, improving frequency on nights and weekends, and eliminating 30-minute frequencies altogether. These changes will take effect in January.

Next Generation Fare Collection

We are in the final stages of branding our new fare collection system and will begin introducing it publicly in the first half of 2020. Compass will be phased out, and the new system will be branded as Pronto. It will include all new hardware and we will be able to sell fares at hundreds of retail outlets (not just Vons/Albertsons).  The new fare collection system will be phased in beginning late next year. It will become fully operational in mid 2021.

Speaking of Mid-Coast Trolley

Construction is running at a rapid clip - more than $1 million spent each work day. With 11 more miles of rail and nine stations, we are increasing equipment and personnel. LRV Maintenance just hired 16 new apprentice mechanics. And more train operators will be needed too, so we will be expanding our recruitment network next year. Construction is on-time and on-budget and we still anticipate beginning revenue service in Fall 2021. 

Thanks again for all your hard work. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and happy holidays. 

Paul Jablonski

CEO, Metropolitan Transit System