Crime reduction part of agency-wide efforts to make system safer for riders
San Diego – Tomorrow, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) will formally report that it saw a 24% drop in crime across its network—marking a significant step forward in its commitment to passenger safety. The reduction in crime comes less than two years after the transit agency launched a comprehensive security initiative to make the system safer.
The formal report will be given to the agency’s Public Security Committee on Thursday, Oct. 9. Data, which is available in the agenda materials packet (page 39), from MTS’s Transit Security and Passenger Safety Department shows that from January through August 2025, 969 crimes were reported on MTS services—just 76% of the 1,274 incidents reported during the same period in 2024.
“Taking a comprehensive look at passenger safety over the past several years has been our top priority, and these results show the impact of our ongoing efforts to make MTS a secure and welcoming transit system for all riders,” said Monica Montgomery Steppe, MTS Board Chair Pro Tem and San Diego County Supervisor, District 4. “We’re committed to building on this progress by working closely with MTS staff and the community to ensure all riders feel secure and supported on our buses and Trolleys.”
Breaking down the numbers by transit mode, crimes on the Trolley network decreased 14.6%, while bus routes saw a 53.1% reduction. The report will be presented at the MTS Public Security Committee at the James R. Mills Building, 1255 Imperial Avenue, 10th Floor Board Room, San Diego 92101. The public can also listen in virtually on Zoom.
In early 2024, MTS rolled out several security measures in an effort to grow ridership, including:
- Better Coverage: Increasing the number of Code Compliance Inspectors by 60% to add more visibility and coverage to the system.
- Fare Compliance: Getting better fare compliance from riders by implementing a stricter fare enforcement policy.
- Faster Response: Consolidated the 24/7 security hotline into a single number for texting and calling, and improved technology behind the scenes so incoming calls can be managed more efficiently.
- Better Visibility: Increased security “train teams” on Trolley lines from 5-6 teams per shift to 8-10 teams per shift, which led to more frequent interactions between officers and riders, along with an increase in calls and text messages to MTS.
- More Patrols on Buses: Doubled the Bus Enforcement security team to help extend security presence beyond major transit centers and Trolley lines.
- Expanding Coverage: Added security outposts at busy transit centers like San Ysidro, 12th & Imperial and El Cajon so officers spend more time on the system and less time traveling to/from headquarters.
“We’ve been intentional with our improvements on a lot of fronts, and the results are beginning to show,” said MTS Chief Executive Officer Sharon Cooney. “We have been listening to our riders for a few years now through customer feedback, surveys and research that the top priority for riders is feeling safe while using the system. Ridership grew 7% last year and a big factor in that can be attributed to this reduction in crime.”
The agency’s 2024 security initiative followed a 2022 customer survey that showed riders wanted a stronger security presence on the transit system. In response, the MTS Board approved a $4.2 million increase to the security budget in 2023.
On the 2024 Customer Satisfaction Survey, conducted after the security initiatives were in place, 71% of bus riders and 63% of Trolley riders reported feeling safe on board—well above the national averages of 42% for both modes. Riders were also five times more likely to say their satisfaction has improved compared to a year ago.
Beyond staffing, MTS is also continuing to expand lighting infrastructure that makes customers feel safer as well. Three lighting projects are underway along the Orange Line Trolley between Lemon Grove and Barrio Logan; at an underpass near Beyer Blvd Trolley Stations; and a new solar lighting project at bus stops.
Recognizing its efforts to maintain a safe and secure transit system, MTS earned the Gold Standard Award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA), one of only two transit agencies nationwide to receive this distinction for 2024 and awarded in summer 2025.
The full report from the MTS Transit Security and Passenger Safety Department can be found on the Public Safety Committee agenda for Oct. 9.
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 2025, MTS served more than 81 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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