The future of transit in San Diego could vastly change based on results in the November election. The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is proposing to voters a 40-year, ½ cent sales tax on the ballot to pay for infrastructure needs around the region. If approved, a number of MTS services would be enhanced and improved, including:
- A new north/south Trolley line from San Ysidro to Kearny Mesa would be built to improve congestion and accommodate the growth in the border region
- More than a dozen new Rapid routes would be built to further integrate our Trolley and bus lines, and multiplying the possible travel destinations for riders
- Fixed-route bus frequencies would increase and more routes would stay active longer throughout the service day
- The MTS fleet of 128 trains and 800 buses would expand significantly to accommodate the service increases
The ballot measure would also provide additional funding for highway/managed lane improvements, open space, active transportation, and other regional infrastructure projects. It also contains several important provisions:
- 15-year commitment: The Ordinance commits SANDAG to use its best efforts to complete projects in the Priority Corridors Program within 15 years
- Voter mandate: The Ordinance safeguards the projects included in the Priority Corridors Program, ensuring funding for these projects can’t be removed without a vote of the people
- Local jobs: The measure sets a goal to use 80 to 100 percent San Diego County workers on construction projects funded by the measure, where allowed by law, and requires a skilled and trained workforce to perform the work
- Accountability: An independent taxpayer oversight committee would oversee the expenditure of funds raised by the measure to ensure that voter mandates are carried out and funds are spent in a responsible and transparent manner
