MTS and NCTD Boards of Directors Elect to Retain Some Sorrento Valley COASTER Connection Services

MTS and North County Transit District reach tentative agreement to split operational subsidies

San Diego -- The Metropolitan Transit System Board of Directors today agreed to retain service to at least 75 percent of Sorrento Valley COASTER Connection passengers and reduce the public subsidy by 66 percent to about $300,000. MTS and the North County Transit District will share equally the subsidy cost of providing the service.

“This plan represents the culmination of a lot of hard work on the part of the two transit agencies to retain at least a portion of this regional service,” said Paul Jablonski, Chief Executive Officer of MTS. “This service is also being supplemented by a number of employers in the area that are operating shuttle services for their employees. This combined effort will keep commuters on board public transportation and off the freeway.”

“The Sorrento Valley Coaster Connection shuttles provide an important regional link for Coaster passengers,” said Matthew Tucker, Executive Director of NCTD. “Our Board has clearly indicated by its actions today that it supports the service and values those passengers. The Sorrento Valley Coaster Connection shuttles provide critical connections for Coaster passengers at one of the busiest stations along the rail line. We thank MTS for working with us to reach this important agreement.”

Currently there are nine routes serving the Sorrento Valley and University Towne Center area. The new network will have four routes.

The service adjustments combine several routes, realigns others and eliminates the routes with very few passengers. All trips before 6:30 a.m. will be eliminated. The new routes will provide service to essentially the same areas, but some passengers may have longer walks from bus stops to their place of employment.

Discontinued routes are 975, 976 and 977. Two sets of routes – 971/972, and 973/974 – will be combined. Routes 89 and 978 will be retained with possible minor alignment adjustments.


Following the approval of the cost sharing agreement between MTS and NCTD, the changes are scheduled to be implemented the week of March 30.
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System transported more than 92 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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