The MTS Youth Advisory Council offers youth and young adults (aged 16 – 24) an opportunity to help learn about public transportation in the San Diego region and help provide feedback on public transportation to MTS staff, while also building leadership skills.
If you are passionate about public transportation, the Youth Advisory Council is a great chance to get more involved and help shape the future of transit.
The MTS Youth Advisory Council expects to meet every other month at the MTS Headquarters, located in downtown San Diego, with additional opportunities for learning and collaboration throughout the year - including behind-the-scenes tours of MTS facilities, staff Q & As and more. (On select occasions, MTS may opt to hold virtual meetings, but applicants should plan to attend in-person.)
When applying, applicants should expect to:
- Serve for a minimum of one year
- Attend all six (6) meetings throughout the year (approx. 60 – 90 minutes per meeting)
- Engage in the discussion throughout the meeting
- Help prepare a year-end presentation to MTS staff
Fifteen applicants will be selected to serve on the council for a one-year term (and may be eligible to serve a second year without needing to re-apply).
Youth Advisory Council members will be provided a transit pass to attend council meetings (and/or enrolled in the Youth Opportunity Pass program, pending age), and will be eligible to receive a $25 Visa gift card for every meeting they are able to fully attend (partial gift cards will not be provided if member must leave a meeting early).
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026. Member selections will be announced by Friday, June 26, 2026. All applicants will be notified by the method of communication noted as preferred in their application.
Minimum Requirements:
- Aged 16 – 24 as of July 1, 2026
- Residing in, attending school or working in the MTS service area (Cities of Chula Vista, Coronado, El Cajon, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Poway, Santee, San Diego, and surrounding unincorporated areas of the County of San Diego). Proof of residence, school attendance or employment within the MTS service area may be required prior to acceptance on the council.
Other Application Considerations:
- MTS ridership
- Strength of written answers
- Availability to regularly attend council meetings
- Competitiveness from other applications in the same service area
Please see additional application details below. For any additional questions about the MTS Youth Advisory Council or the application process, please email YouthCouncil@sdmts.com.