No deficiencies found by Federal Transit Administration in key compliance areas
San Diego – The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has once again earned top scores from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), receiving a perfect score with zero deficiencies in its 2025 Triennial Review of the agency. That means the FTA has found no deficiencies in MTS’ management of FTA funds.
“A perfect score from the Federal Trade Administration speaks volumes about our MTS’s team’s professionalism and commitment,” said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Board Chair and San Diego City Councilmember. “It confirms that MTS delivers high-quality service with integrity, efficiency, and accountability.”
The FTA uses the triennial review to evaluate the performance and compliance of funding with federal requirements and policies. The triennial review helps the federal government identify potential issues, provide support to grantees, mitigate risks, and improve public transparency. It is mandated by Congress every three years.
“From our understanding it is very uncommon for a transit agency to receive a perfect score,” said MTS Chief Executive Officer Sharon Cooney. “The FTA reviewers were very thoughtful and thorough. The review team spent multiple days on site at MTS and a significant number of hours reviewing our policies, practices and procedures. Our team worked hard to provide all the necessary documentation, and the outcome couldn’t have been better.”
The review assessed MTS’s management of federal funds and program implementation across 23 critical areas. These include financial management, maintenance, ADA and Title VI compliance, procurement, safety, and more.
The FTA’s evaluation looked at a wide range of operational areas, including:
- Financial management
- Maintenance
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Procurement
- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
- Legal and regulatory compliance
- Safety and security
- Equal employment opportunity (EEO)
MTS has received over $320 million in FTA funding over the past three years. This includes both formula and competitive funding that has been used for preventive maintenance and state of good repair projects, purchasing new Trolleys and buses, zero-emission bus infrastructure, and operating assistance.
This year’s perfect score continues a strong history of compliance and reflects MTS’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and responsible stewardship of public resources.
About MTS
The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates 92 bus routes and four Trolley lines in 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego. MTS is a leader in advancing initiatives to create a greener, cleaner and better-connected transit system in San Diego. Each weekday more than 250,000 passenger trips are taken throughout the MTS system taking people to work, school, health appointments and other essential trips. In FY 2024, MTS served more than 75 million riders. For service schedule updates, news, alerts and more information on how you can use public transportation, go to www.sdmts.com.
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