State Budget Cuts Force MTS to Propose Service and Fare Adjustments

Open Houses scheduled to get public input

San Diego -- The State of California’s plan to permanently reduce or eliminate State Transit Assistance (STA) funding is forcing the Metropolitan Transit System to propose significant adjustments to its service and fares. To make people aware of these possible changes and to get public input on the proposal and other ways to close the budget gap, MTS has scheduled a series of open houses at its transit centers.


The reduction in STA funding to MTS could be as high as $14 million. To make up for this shortfall, MTS must consider reducing its services and/or increasing fares. Proposed service changes include reduced frequency of service, shortened hours of operation on some routes, restructures routes, elimination of weekend service on some routes and the complete elimination of other routes. This proposal is designed to impact as few passengers as possible, but the majority of routes in the MTS network will be changed in some way.

The open houses are designed to educate the public about the state’s budget crisis and how it is impacting MTS services. MTS employees will talk to riders and get input about the potential service cuts. Following is the public outreach schedule; riders will also be able to submit comments for public hearings.

UTC Transit Center
Wednesday, February 18
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Westfield University Town Center
4545 La Jolla Village Drive San Diego

H Street Trolley Station
Wednesday February 18
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
745 H Street Chula Vista
(Interstate 5 & H Street)

America Plaza Station
Thursday February 19
1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
1050 India St. in San Diego
(West C Street & Kettner Boulevard)

Euclid Transit Center
Saturday February 21
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
450 Euclid Avenue in San Diego

Old Town Transit Center
Saturday February 21
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4009 Taylor Street San Diego

Fashion Valley Transit Center
Saturday Feb. 21
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1205 Fashion Valley Rd. San Diego
(Friars Road & Fashion Valley Road)

Iris Avenue Station
Sunday Feb. 22
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3120 Iris Ave. San Diego
(Iris Avenue & 30th Street)

El Cajon Transit Center
Sunday Feb. 22
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
352 S. Marshall Ave. El Cajon
(W. Main Street & S. Marshall Avenue)


The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System transported more than 94 million passengers last year on more than 90 bus routes and 53 miles of rail. For further information on fares, routes, and schedules, or to plan a trip, visit www.sdmts.com or call 511.
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