The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System “MTS” provides employees, contractors working in operational roles, retirees, and eligible dependents “ERD Passes” that allow an eligible Passholder to ride free on designated MTS operations. ERD Passes are available through the PRONTO App, and in the form of physical cards. The Passholder must tap each time they access MTS services. ERD Passes are not transferrable, and void if altered or unlawfully used. In the event of a conflict between the rules in this document and a collective bargaining agreement between MTS and a labor union, the collective bargaining agreement will govern.
Eligible ERD Passholders
The following individuals are eligible for ERD Passes:
- Active employees of MTS, San Diego Trolley Incorporated (“SDTI”), San Diego Transit Corporation (“SDTC”) (collectively “MTS”)
- Dependents of active, full-time employees of MTS. For ERD program purposes, “dependents” include spouse, registered domestic partner (as defined by the State of California) and children (including step and adopted) under the age of 19. Proof of relationship (copy of the marriage certificate, birth certificate or other legal document) must be provided. If a divorce or dissolution occurs, the employee must inform the Human Resources Department immediately and the former spouse/domestic partner's ERD Pass will be discontinued. If eligible for another type of free pass (e.g., Youth Opportunity Pass), dependents are required to enroll in that free pass program instead of the ERD program.
- “Retirees” or former employees of the Agency who retire with ten or more years of service and are at least 55 years old at the time of their retirement. Former employees who leave MTS for other employment, or do not collect their retirement upon separation, are not eligible. Spouses or registered domestic partners (as defined by the State of California) of Retirees are also eligible for ERD Passes, however, dependent children of Retirees are not eligible.
- Full-time employees of operational contractors performing services such as safety/security, bus operation, paratransit vehicle operation, or bus/paratransit vehicle maintenance.
Security, Code of Conduct, and Responsibilities of ERD Passholders
Security and safety are of utmost importance to MTS. ERD Passholders must behave in a safe manner, and comply with established MTS safety rules while on MTS premises or riding MTS services. Safety and security issues or concerns must be immediately reported using the following numbers:
- Call 911 (in case of emergency only)
- Text MTS Security 619-318-1338
- Call MTS Security 619-595-4960
- SDTI Central Control 619-595-4960
- SDTC Dispatch 619-238-1325
ERD Passholders are subject to the same standards of conduct as MTS employees while on MTS premises or riding MTS services. ERD Passholders are expected to be courteous, kind and helpful in their interactions with MTS employees and customers.
When using an ERD Pass to ride MTS services, Passholders are required to carry, and present upon request, valid government issued picture ID (e.g., state Driver's License or ID Card) identifying them as the rightful Passholder. In the case of Passholders under the age of 18, student ID will suffice.
Failure to comply with any of these rules will result in ERD Pass suspension or revocation.
MTS is Not Liable for Injury, Accident or Property Loss
The Passholder assumes all risks associated with the ERD Pass, including the risk of accident, and agrees that MTS and its subsidiaries, San Diego Transit Corporation and San Diego Trolley Incorporated, shall not be liable under any circumstances, whether of negligence or otherwise, for any injury to the Passholder or property of the Passholder.
No Expectation of Privacy Regarding Pass Use
MTS uses ERD Pass usage data for business reasons such as calculating the cost of the ERD program and planning transit routes. Data is generally anonymized when being used for these purposes, but MTS can and will examine the data of individual users at its sole and absolute discretion. Passholders have no right to, or expectation of, privacy with respect to ERD Pass usage.
Employment and Legal Consequences for ERD Pass Misuse
For dependents to receive ERD Passes, the eligible employee, or retiree, must certify that the individual(s) for whom they are requesting ERD Passes meet the eligibility requirements set forth in this document and provide documentation establishing each dependent's eligibility. The employee, or retiree, must inform the MTS Human Resources Department immediately if any dependent who has an ERD Pass becomes ineligible (e.g., divorce). Any attempt to procure or maintain an ERD Pass for an individual who does not meet the eligibility requirements set forth in this document (e.g., falsifying documentation), whether successful or not, will result in termination of employment. Facilitating ERD Pass use by individual(s) who do not meet the eligibility requirements set forth in this document constitutes stealing. In addition to employment consequences, MTS may involve law enforcement and seek criminal prosecution of involved individuals.
Any misuse by ERD Passholders (e.g., giving or loaning the ERD Pass to another individual for use on MTS services) will result in immediate and permanent revocation of the ERD Pass, as well as potential citations and criminal prosecution. All ERD Passholders must immediately inform MTS if their ERD Pass is lost or stolen so it can be deactivated.
I accept and agree to the ERD program rules set forth in this document. I certify that all applications for dependent ERD passes made in conjunction with my employment at MTS comply with the eligibility rules set forth above.
