San Diego MTS seeks public input to solve $120M deficit
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Demand for public transportation is on the rise in San Diego, but a projected $120 million budget deficit threatens that momentum.
To get ahead of the issue, the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is seeking public input to help guide their next steps. Community members are encouraged to use the MTS On Track feature to share what exactly they want to see prioritized in the months to come.
“We have a major budget deficit that we need to address in the next two years," said Mark Olsen, Director of Marketing and Communications at the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System.
Olsen said MTS isn’t waiting to act. Once public input is collected, the agency will use it to create two plans.
“If we’re able to get some additional funding either through the state of federal government or voters at the ballot box, how would the public want us to spend that money?” said Olsen.
Transit hubs like Balboa Avenue are driving ridership for MTS, which reports a new post-pandemic high of 81-million passenger trips in fiscal year 2025 -- a 7% jump from a year prior.
Local resident John Reich is part of the surge. “I think some more funding if it went towards the security of the buses. I’ve noticed a few squabbles I guess you could say that took place," said Reich.
He’s also not opposed to paying a little more for better service. "It's on average $2.50, I think is the going rate for the buses and such. If it went up to $3.00 or whatever that wouldn’t really hurt my pocket," said Reich.
Others said they share some of the same concerns.
“At night sometimes when the {Padres} games are kind of ending late, I don’t see as much security as during the daytime and I feel like that could be an improvement," said local resident Lorena Rojas.
Rojas also said she welcomes new service options, such as additional routes. “Airport would be great. And maybe like some space for luggage I think that would be a great addition.”
However, even with ridership on the rise, there's more growth to be had.
“It hasn’t bounced back to the point where we’ve been able to address this budget deficit on our own," said Olsen.
He added that the cost of business and higher wages to retain their workforce as the cost-of-living increases are contributing to the $120 million budget gap for FY 2028.
Therefore, MTS is evaluating the whole network. “We can look at ways to be creative with the system, still meet the needs of our riders, but also maybe find some savings there too,” said Olsen.
MTS is collecting community input then using it to create a plan that will be presented to its board early next year.
