San Diego Metropolitan Transit System

San Diego MTS: $60.4MM to Advance Modernization Projects

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) on March 27 announced that it has been awarded $60.4 million through the State of California’s competitive Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) to advance major light rail and electric bus modernization projects. TIRCP, funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, supports transit investments that “reduce emissions, expand mobility options and improve service in disadvantaged communities.”

From Left to Right: Daniel Brislin, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System; Natasha Avanessians, STV; and Kristen Van Gilst, STV. (Photographs courtesy of the respective organizations)
  • News

People News: San Diego MTS, STV

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) elevates Daniel Brislin to Director of Transit Security and Passenger Safety. Also, infrastructure professional services firm STV appoints Natasha Avanessians as Chief of Staff to the CEO, succeeding Kristen Van Gilst, who transitions to Deputy Operations Director.

Transit Briefs: San Diego MTS, MDOT MTA/MARC, REM, Metrolinx

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and the San Diego Housing Fund partner to deliver transit-oriented affordable housing in East Village. Also, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) will provide free MARC service to federal workers during the federal government shutdown; the Réseau express métropolitain’s (REM) Deux-Montagnes branch will begin service on Nov. 17; and Metrolinx enters into an Agreement-in-Principle to purchase a portion of track owned by CN between Bramalea and Georgetown GO stations.

DART has eight Stadler DMUs for its 26-mile Silver Line service, which will launch Oct. 25. (DART Photograph)

Transit Briefs: DART, HART, Caltrain, San Diego MTS, VRE, Amtrak

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) readies for Silver Line service. Also, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) preps riders for Skyline’s second-segment launch; California’s Caltrain will be compensated for the power it returns to the grid through its trains’ regenerative braking; San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) reports a drop in crime across its network; Virginia Railway Express (VRE) reaches a ridership milestone; and a third daily trip will be added to Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

San Diego MTS Ridership Surges in FY25

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) on Aug. 20 announced that annual ridership surpassed 80 million passenger trips for the first time since the pandemic. The transit agency recorded 81,181,071 boardings during Fiscal Year 2025 (July 2024-June 2025), a 7.1% increase from the 75,663,343 trips taken in Fiscal Year 2024.

(MTS Photograph)

MTS Earns ‘Perfect Score’ in Federal Triennial Review

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) on Aug. 7 reported receiving a “perfect score” in its 2025 Triennial Review by the Federal Transit Administration, which means the government agency found “no deficiencies in MTS’s management of FTA funds.”

SMART on May 31 officially launched passenger service to the new Windsor station. “This long-anticipated expansion marks a major milestone in SMART’s mission to provide sustainable, regional transportation for communities across Sonoma and Marin counties—and is the first of three northern extensions SMART plans to complete in the coming years,” SMART reported via social media. (Screen grab from SMART video)

Transit Briefs: SMART, NC By Train, San Diego MTS/NCTD

Northern California’s Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) launches service to Windsor. Also, NC By Train celebrates 35 years of Carolinian and 30 years of Piedmont passenger rail service; and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit–San Diego Railroad (NCTD) mark a contactless fare-payment milestone.

(Courtesy of San Diego MTS)

San Diego MTS Board Greenlights FY26 Budget

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Board on May 15 signed off on a $473.1 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which fully funds current service levels on all four Trolley lines and 92 bus routes operating in 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego, Calif.

Transit Briefs: San Diego MTS, DCTA, Keolis

New San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) survey results show strong customer satisfaction. Also, the Denton County Transit Authority (DCTA) will extend the A-train to the Downtown Carrollton Station; and the International Association of Sheet, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division (SMART-TD) ratifies a tentative agreement with Keolis Commuter Services.

NJT rolled out specially wrapped vehicles, including a locomotive (pictured), for Autism Acceptance Month. (NJT Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NJT, NYMTA, San Diego MTS

New Jersey Transit (NJT) unveils a specially wrapped locomotive in recognition of Autism Acceptance Month, and will install new faregates at Secaucus Junction and Newark Liberty International Airport stations. Also, the New York MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) issues a “reimagined” subway map; and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is installing new digital signs at the Trolley’s Orange Line stations.

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