Riders can earn up to $2.50 when they spend $10 a month on public transit with Mastercard
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San Diego – Eligible Mastercard consumer and small business debit and credit cardholders can now earn savings on everyday transit purchases across the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) through Mastercard Public Transit Benefit. Cardholding SD MTS riders can receive a monthly statement credit of $2.50 when they spend $10 or more on public transit during any calendar month using any Mastercard contactless payment on MTS transit services. The benefit is available through Dec. 31, 2027.
The Mastercard Public Transit Benefit is designed to deliver tangible, everyday value to eligible consumer and small business debit and credit cardholders. The program rewards routine transit spending while encouraging the use of secure, seamless contactless payments. According to MTS, more than 4.27 million contactless payment transactions have been recorded across its system to date.
"The Mastercard Public Transit Benefit helps put money back in riders' pockets while making it easier than ever to tap, ride, and go using contactless payment," said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Board Chair and San Diego City Councilmember. "This benefit from Mastercard is supporting our broader efforts to modernize and improve the rider experience across the region, all while rewarding riders for choosing transit."
“This program helps put money back in our riders’ pockets while making it easier than ever to tap, ride, and go using contactless payment,” said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Board Chair and San Diego City Councilmember. “This benefit from Mastercard provides meaningful savings on the trips they already take while supporting our broader efforts to modernize fare payment and improve the rider experience across the region.”
"At Mastercard, we're committed to delivering meaningful everyday value to consumers and small businesses through the cards they use every day," said Kamila Chytil, Executive Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Acquiring, Processing and Public Sector at Mastercard. "Our Public Transit Benefit is a unique offering that rewards cardholders for something they already do regularly, helping them save on commuting costs while enjoying the speed, security and convenience of contactless payments. As we continue expanding the program to additional transit systems, we're creating more opportunities for cardholders to experience the value of Mastercard through their everyday spending."
MTS riders can take advantage of the benefit by using an eligible Mastercard to pay their fare directly at the fare validator. Once riders meet the monthly spending threshold, they will automatically receive the statement credit within 60 days. Eligible payments must be made using contactless payment via a digital wallet or by tapping the physical card.
With the addition of San Diego, Mastercard continues to expand the reach of its Public Transit Benefit program across North America. The benefit is now available in 12 major transit systems, bringing the unique value of Mastercard's everyday rewards experience to more consumer and small business cardholders.
For more information about using contactless payments on MTS, visit www.ridepronto.com/contactless-payments. For Mastercard eligibility details, visit www.mastercard.com/us/en/personal/experience-mastercard/transitbenefit.html.
About MTS
The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates 93 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 2026, MTS served more than 81 million riders. In 2026, MTS was recognized by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) as the Outstanding Public Transportation System in North America among agencies providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips. 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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