MTS Still Projects Major Budget Shortfall Despite Strong Ridership Gains

MTS still projects major budget shortfall despite strong ridership gains

MTS is one of two public transportation providers in San Diego County. (Photo courtesy of MTS) Transit officials said a few months ago that San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System faces a fiscal cliff, but the messaging has shifted based on an official’s recent comments. “MTS is approaching a crossroads,” said Julia Tuer, government affairs manager for the San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System, which operates four light rail lines and approxim…

San Diego transit at a crossroads? MTS boasts robust ridership recovery — but faces financial crisis

Ridership on local buses and trolleys is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic much faster than the national average, but San Diego transit officials say that progress is jeopardized by a looming financial crisis. Annual ridership on Metropolitan Transportation System buses and trolleys rose more than 7% to 81.2 million during the fiscal year that ended in June — only 4.2 million lower than the pre-pandemic ridership of 85.4 million. MTS’s rider…