San Diego – In another step towards keeping San Diego’s transit system in a solid state of good repair, the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Board of Directors today unanimously approved $125 million for the FY 2022 Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
“The MTS CIP is an important road map for planning and funding assets for San Diego’s transit system. And having $125 million to allocate in CIP funds is very healthy for an agency our size. This includes new Trolleys and buses, advancing our zero-emission bus transition, fully funding our new fare collection system, and more” said Sharon Cooney, MTS chief executive officer. “MTS is committed to providing the best rider experience possible and the CIP helps us achieve this goal.”
The MTS CIP receiving the most funding in FY 2022 are:
- Funding for new low-floor Trolleys - $28.5 million
- Funding for 32 40-foot Compressed Natural Gas Buses, 10 minibuses and five (5) Zero Emission Buses - $42.2 million
- Funding for 11 60-foot Zero Emission Buses for the Iris Rapid project - $15.6 million
- Funding for design and station infrastructure for Iris Rapid; and overhead charging infrastructure to support the new route – $12.1 million
- Funding for the new fare collection system, PRONTO - $3.3 million
Photo caption: MTS has allocated $27.7 million to purchase more electric buses and build charging infrastructure for its zero-emission bus transition plan
The CIP process began in October 2020 with an internal call for projects from MTS departments. Each department submitted its capital project requests in priority order, and the lists were consolidated for review by the Capital Projects Review Committee (CPRC). The CPRC reviewed the projects in the context of their impact on operations and determined the most critical projects to fund this year. The MTS Budget Development Committee, made up of several MTS Board members, then approved the CIP for full board consideration. For more information about the all the projects selected review the Board presentation and agenda item.
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. MTS requires people to wear face coverings at all times, and practice physical distancing when possible.
###
