More than 60 Vons/Albertsons stores added to PRONTO Retail Network, bringing total stores selling passes to over 150
San Diego - San Diego residents can now add another item to their grocery lists – transit passes. All 67 Vons and Albertsons stores in San Diego County are beginning sales of PRONTO fares, effective this month. PRONTO is the fare system for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s (MTS) buses and Trolleys, and North County Transit District’s (NCTD) COASTER, SPRINTER, BREEZE and LIFT buses.
“This partnership with Vons and Albertsons to sell PRONTO products will bring a new level of ease and convenience for transit riders,” said Sharon Cooney, MTS Chief Executive Officer. “With Vons and Albertsons on board, we’ve nearly doubled the number of retail outlets where PRONTO passes can be purchased, exponentially growing the accessibility of transit.”
“Our riders now have more options to purchase and load their PRONTO card,” said Matthew O. Tucker, NCTD Executive Director. “We appreciate the partnership with Vons and Albertsons and the accessibility these new outlets provide to our customers.”
“Vons and Albertsons prides itself on being a valuable resource to the neighborhoods we serve. ,” said Kevin Curry, President of Vons and Albertsons in Southern California. “Distributing PRONTO cards and the giving community more access to public transit helps further that effort.”
At both Vons and Albertsons stores, transit riders will be able to purchase a new PRONTO card, and/or add money to their cards using cash, credit or debit cards. Money added to the card at PRONTO Retail Networks allows riders to access the “best fare” stored value capability and pay for their transit use as they ride. Shoppers can find a PRONTO card at the gift card aisle end cap and purchase the desired amount at the checkout counter (riders must load a minimum of $5 onto their card, and a maximum of $250).
MTS and NCTD launched PRONTO in September 2021, and since then, more than 650,000 accounts have been set up, including 258,000 app downloads. There is no extra cost associated with purchasing and storing money on the PRONTO app. PRONTO cards cost $2 (one-time fee) and are available at Vons and Albertsons; and other retail outlets; at Trolley, SPRINTER and COASTER ticket machines (requires a minimum $3 load); and the MTS Transit Store and NCTD Customer Service Centers. For a full list of fares and pass types, visit the MTS Fares and Passes webpage. Money or month passes can be loaded onto a PRONTO card through a user’s account at ridePRONTO.com or in the mobile app.
Benefits of PRONTO:
The easy way to pay for transit. With its “best fare” technology, PRONTO always gives riders the lowest fare. Riders will never pay more than a Day Pass in a day, or a Month Pass in a month. (COASTER excluded - will still require upfront payment for Day and Month Passes.)
It’s easy to manage. Once riders have a card, they will be able to load money at Vons and Albertsons stores, or a number of other retail outlets, as well as transit station ticket machines. Riders with the app can download money right from their phone.
Reduced fares available. After riders have a card or app in-hand, they can visit RidePRONTO.com, or call 619-595-5636 to request account conversion for reduced fares (Seniors, Disabled, Medicare and Youth).
About MTS
MTS operates more than 100 bus routes and three Trolley lines in 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego. Frequencies and spans have been restored to near-pre-COVID-19 levels. Updated schedules can be accessed on the MTS website. MTS asks that people wear face coverings at all times and practice physical distancing when possible.
About NCTD
NCTD provides over 10 million annual passenger trips (Fiscal Year 2019) throughout North San Diego County and into downtown San Diego. NCTD’s system includes BREEZE buses (with FLEX service), COASTER commuter trains, SPRINTER hybrid rail trains, and LIFT paratransit service. NCTD’s mission is to deliver safe, convenient, reliable, and user-friendly public transportation services. For more information visit: GoNCTD.com.
About Vons & Albertsons
Vons and Albertsons are a division of Albertsons Companies. Locally great and nationally strong, Albertsons Companies is a leading food and drug retailer that operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia with more than 20 well-known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Market. The Company is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood.
