San Diego – The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) officially launched the region’s brand-new PRONTO fare collection system today. MTS and NCTD are celebrating the milestone with Free Rides in September for riders with a PRONTO card or the PRONTO mobile application. PRONTO will enhance ticketing functionality, access, and value for MTS and NCTD passengers.
All riders are encouraged to get a new PRONTO card or download the PRONTO app to ride free for the entire month of September. Ride Free with PRONTO September applies to all MTS buses, Trolleys, and NCTD SPRINTER, BREEZE and Flex (no free rides on COASTER). Passengers will not need to pay but should tap a PRONTO card or scan the QR code on the app on the PRONTO validators located at rail stations and on-board buses.
“PRONTO’s features and functionality make riding transit more accessible than ever before,” said Nathan Fletcher, MTS Board Chair and Chair, San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “The system can be accessed via an app or a physical card with several different ticketing, loading, and account management options that work for everyone including our riders with disabilities or those without access to technology. PRONTO meets the needs of riders throughout the region. We hope everyone takes advantage of Ride Free with PRONTO September, reduce their carbon footprint, and learn how transit can work for them.”
Under development for four years, the new PRONTO system is more convenient, with new rider-requested functionality, and a 'best fare' system that automatically calculates the best possible fare. With PRONTO, fares are capped at $6 per day or $72 per month for adult passes ($3/day and $23/month for seniors, riders with disabilities, and youth). Passengers simply tap or scan each time they ride, and the system will automatically deduct the appropriate fare.
New rider-friendly features include:
- Free transfers – one-way fares are valid for unlimited transfers between buses and Trolleys for up to two hours
- Pay-as-you-go capabilities – riders no longer need to pay upfront for passes and can load just what they need for the day
- Instant account reloads – funds added to PRONTO accounts can be accessed instantly through the new account-based system
“The pay-as-you-go PRONTO feature will help those on fixed incomes,” said Tony Kranz, NCTD Board Chair, Deputy Mayor of Encinitas. “Allowing riders to add value to their account when they need it affords them flexibility while maintaining access to transit to get to work, health care appointments, school and entertainment.”
The PRONTO app, available for free download in the App Store and Google Play, allows riders to add money and purchase one-way fares, one-day and monthly passes as well as COASTER passes. The app will also allow riders to add value to their accounts instantly and to track their rides and progress toward earning a day pass and month pass.
Free PRONTO cards are available at participating Vons and Albertsons and more than 70 other retail outlets (some outlets may require a minimum $5 load onto the card that can be used for fares in October), as well as the Transit Center Store, and ticket vending machines. These locations will allow riders to add money to their cards beginning in October.
MTS has already distributed more than 20,000 free PRONTO cards to riders at transit center outreach events throughout the month of August.
The entire PRONTO system will begin requiring fares on October 1. COASTER riders wanting to purchase fares for September should use the PRONTO mobile app. The Ride PRONTO website will allow people to register cards and purchase fares, review order history, add payment methods, set up a customized dashboard, and more.
MTS operates 95 bus routes and three Trolley lines across 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego County. Frequencies and spans have been restored to near-pre-COVID-19 levels. Updated schedules can be accessed on the MTS website.
NCTD operates 30 bus routes, a hybrid rail system, as well as heavy rail system across 1,020 square miles in North San Diego County. For updated schedules, please visit GoNCTD.com.
MTS and NCTD require people to wear face coverings at all times and practice physical distancing when possible.
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