Download b-roll and photos here
San Diego – The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit – San Diego Railroad (NCTD) proudly announced reaching a major milestone in contactless fare payments. As of May 24, MTS and NCTD riders have completed over one million trips with contactless payment options since the feature’s launch on PRONTO July 19, 2024. This is a historic achievement for transit systems in California, as MTS and NCTD became the first in the state to reach one million contactless payment transactions.
“Reaching one million contactless taps in under a year shows that our riders are embracing smart, modern ways of using transit,” said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Board Chair and San Diego City Councilmember. “It’s a major milestone in our efforts to make transit faster, easier and more accessible for everyone.”
Contactless payment options have become widespread in recent years, accounting for approximately 25% if all card transactions in the U.S. Logging one million contactless payment taps on the PRONTO fare system exemplifies how the technology is growing in popularity among transit riders, too. Since launch, MTS and NCTD have logged an average of 5,000 contactless taps each day.
“Providing our riders with yet another easy way to pay has been great for expanding our reach,” said Shawn M. Donaghy, NCTD Chief Executive Officer. “Just tap, hop on board, and ride the best transit system in the nation.”
Notably, approximately 76% of the contactless payment taps have been made by bus riders, which may suggest the feature’s popularity as a substitute for cash fares. It has also been a popular payment option for infrequent riders attending special events like Padres games, concerts, and San Diego FC matches, with the highest single day use falling on the San Diego FC vs. Seattle Sounders match day, April 5.
Contactless payment allows passengers to pay fares by simply tapping a credit or debit card, smartphone, or smartwatch on a fare validator, eliminating the need for cash or purchasing a fare through the PRONTO system. The feature is available on all MTS buses and Trolleys, as well as NCTD’s COASTER, SPRINTER, BREEZE and FLEX services.
In March 2025, MTS and NCTD enhanced the contactless payment system by introducing Express Mode for Apple Pay users. This feature allows riders to pay fares with a simple tap of their Apple Wallet by holding an iPhone or Apple Watch near a fare validator, without the need to wake or unlock the device, further streamlining the boarding process.
All fares paid via contactless payment are eligible for free transfers during the two-hour period on most modes after the first boarding time. Each passenger will be required to pay their fare with a unique payment method, as each method can only be used for one rider at a time. MTS and NCTD Code Compliance Inspectors have special devices that scan a customer’s credit card during onboard fare inspections to ensure payment has been made prior to boarding.
For more information on contactless payment options and how to use them, visit RidePRONTO.com/contactless-payments.
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 238,000 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.
About NCTD
The North County Transit District is a public transportation agency providing critical multi-modal services throughout North San Diego County and into downtown San Diego. NCTD is designated as a rail common carrier by the Surface Transportation Board based on the movement of interstate commerce on the tracks and the Railroad of Record by the Federal Railroad Administration responsible for safety over the entire San Diego portion of the LOSSAN corridor, the nation’s second largest passenger rail network. NCTD’s system includes BREEZE buses (with FLEX service), COASTER commuter trains, SPRINTER hybrid rail trains, LIFT paratransit service, and NCTD+ On-Demand and is one of only three public transit agencies in the nation to operate heavy rail, hybrid rail, and bus service. For more information visit: GoNCTD.com.
###
