Did you know that San Diego Metropolitan Transit System offers commemorative PRONTO cards?
Back in the summer of 2023, MTS launched the pilot for the first community-focused PRONTO cards – one celebrating the San Diego Padres and another honoring the San Diego Pride Parade and Festival. The enthusiastic response from the community encouraged MTS to keep going with the program as the cards quickly became collector favorites, showing just how meaningful it can be to celebrate San Diego's diverse communities through transit.
That early success opened the door for more commemorative designs, and since then, MTS has proudly released PRONTO cards celebrating:
- San Diego Comic-Con (2024)
- Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month (2025)
- Hispanic Heritage Month (2025)
- San Diego FC (2025)
- MTS continues the tradition this year with our latest card featuring artwork honoring Black History Month.
For this special release, MTS partnered with one of its own employees, Ibn Edwards, who created the featured artwork titled American Sketches.
"This illustration honors visionaries whose talent, leadership and courage have shaped the American story," said Edwards. Created for the MTS Black History Commemorative PRONTO Card, "American Sketches features Rosa Parks, the Tuskegee Airmen, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Robinson, Jimi Hendrix, Mae C. Jemison, and my own father - San Diego artist Eddie Edwards."
He added, "Through the lens of art, these leaders come together in a visual narrative celebrating the enduring influence of Black artistry and resilience. Their images form a vibrant collage of creativity and progress, reminding us that Black history is woven into the very fabric of American history, shaping its past, present, and future."
View an interview with the artist:
How to get a Black History Month PRONTO card
These limited-edition cards will be available for $2 each at the following locations while supplies last:
- The Transit Store
1255 Imperial Avenue, Suite 100A
San Diego, CA 92101
(located at the 12th & Imperial Transit Center) - By phone via PRONTO Support at (619) 595-5636
(Valid credit or debit card required for phone orders.) - Select ticket machines at transit stations – view the full list here (Receiving a commemorative card at a ticket machine is not guaranteed and no refunds will be issued if a standard PRONTO card is dispensed instead. All cards purchased at a ticket machine require a pass purchase or a minimum load of $3.)
Commemorative PRONTO cards are more than just a way to pay your fare - they're a celebration of the people, stories and communities that move San Diego forward. This Black History Month card honors the lasting impact of Black leaders and artists while reflecting MTS's ongoing commitment to representation, creativity and connection. Whether you're a daily rider or a collector, this limited-edition card is a meaningful way to carry a piece of history with you on every trip.
