“Public transportation should remain affordable for the people who depend on it most,” said Stephen Whitburn, MTS board chair and San Diego city councilman. “Many of our riders rely on transit to get to work, school, medical appointments, grocery stores and other essential destinations. PRONTO LIFE is an important program that will help keep transportation costs low for thousands of residents throughout our region.”
MTS and NCTD estimate that there are around 34,000 eligible transit pass holders who may qualify for the program. Applications are now open at sdmts.com/fares/pronto-life-program.
“No one should pretend fare increases are painless,” City Councilman and MTS board member Sean Elo-Rivera said. “For a working mom trying to get to a second job, a senior on a fixed income or a family already choosing between rent, groceries and health care, every dollar matters. PRONTO LIFE is about making sure the riders with the least to give are not asked to carry the heaviest burden. And starting today, riders can enroll in PRONTO LIFE now, before the fare increases go into effect, so they’re covered from day one.”
Those eligible riders who enroll in PRONTO LIFE will receive reduced fares through their approved PRONTO card or mobile app, including $2.50 one-way fare, $6 day pass and $72 monthly pass. These discounts will apply to MTS buses and Trolley services, as well as NCTD regional bus services, the transit agencies said.
“Access to affordable transportation can be a lifeline for people who rely on our public transportation system every day,” said Monica Montgomery Steppe, vice chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and MTS board chair pro tem. “PRONTO LIFE will help people already stretching every dollar afford to get to work, the grocery store and other places they need to go.”