San Diego – The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Board of Directors today approved a $448.2 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2025. The newly approved budget fully funds current service levels on all three Trolley lines and more than 100 bus routes. The budget also funds MTS security improvements implemented earlier in the year, increasing the number of officers, improving visibility and response times.
“I am pleased we adopted a budget that fully maintains current service levels, keeps our fares affordable and provides a critical service enabling residents to access healthcare, jobs, education and more,” said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Board Chair and San Diego City Councilmember. “I’d like to thank staff and my colleagues on the Board for working together to balance this year’s budget and anticipate fiscal challenges the agency could face in the future.”
During the budget process, MTS staff was informed that $284 million new State grant funding was being frozen indefinitely as the State continued to balance its budget. This was significant news to MTS as the initial draft of the FY 2025 operating budget included $19.7 million in Senate Bill (SB) 125 Transit and Intercity Rail Capital (TIRCP) funds. As a result, the agency postponed Trolley and bus service increases funded by SB125 funds until the future of those funds is more certain. If the funds are released, MTS is ready to advance the service enhancements as planned.
The FY 2025 total budgeted revenue is projected at $448.2 million, and total expenses are projected at $448.2 million, resulting in a balanced budget for FY 2025. The full budget can be viewed on the June 20 Board of Directors Agenda (Item 20, p. 238).
In addition to the operating budget, MTS also has a $250.1 million Capital Improvement Program budget in FY 2025 that will greatly enhance bus and rail state of good repair efforts, fund facility and construction projects, rail infrastructure improvements, and other major initiatives. In total, 66 projects will be funded by the Capital Improvement Program.
About MTS
The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates 97 bus routes and three Trolley lines in 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego. MTS is a leader in advancing initiatives to create a greener, cleaner and better-connected transit system in San Diego. Each weekday more than 250,000 passenger trips are taken throughout the MTS system taking people to work, school, health appointments and other essential trips. In FY 2023, MTS served more than 68 million riders. For service schedule updates, news, alerts and more information on how you can use public transportation, go to www.sdmts.com.
