How much does the trolley cost after the October 2026 fare increase?
From October 1, 2026, a one-way adult ride on MTS or NCTD buses and the Trolley goes from $2.50 to $3.00, a day pass from $6 to $7, and a monthly regional pass from $72 to $85 — with a second increase (to $3.25 one-way and $95 monthly) scheduled for October 1, 2027.
- One-way, from Oct 1
- $3.00 (was $2.50)
- Day pass
- $7 (was $6)
- Monthly regional
- $85 (was $72)
- Next step, Oct 1, 2027
- $3.25 · $95/month
The short version
- SANDAG's Transportation Committee approved the increase on July 17, 2026; Phase I starts October 1, 2026 and Phase II on October 1, 2027.
- Adult one-way: $2.50 → $3.00 → $3.25. Day pass: $6 → $7. Monthly regional: $72 → $85 → $95.
- Seniors, riders with disabilities and Medicare cardholders: $1.25 → $1.50 one-way; $23 → $28 monthly.
- The COASTER drops its three zones for a flat $6.50 one-way — unchanged for end-to-end trips, but up from $5 for one-zone hops.
- New PRONTO LIFE freezes old prices ($2.50, $6, $72) for riders enrolled in CalFresh, Medi-Cal or CalWORKs; youth 18 and under still ride free.
If you've got a San Diego trip plan or budget that says "the trolley is $2.50," it's out of date as of Thursday, October 1, 2026. It's the first broad regional fare increase in years, and it comes in two steps. Here's what changes, what doesn't, and how to pay the least.
Adult fares, before and after
SANDAG, MTS and Times of San Diego. Applies to MTS and NCTD bus, Trolley, SPRINTER and BREEZE.
| Fare | Before | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult one-way (bus, Trolley) | $2.50 | $3.00 | $3.25 |
| Adult day pass | $6.00 | $7.00 | — |
| Adult monthly regional | $72 | $85 | $95 |
| Adult monthly premium | — | $125 | $140 |
| Senior/Disabled/Medicare one-way | $1.25 | $1.50 | $1.50 |
| Senior/Disabled/Medicare day pass | $3.00 | $3.50 | — |
| Senior/Disabled/Medicare monthly | $23 | $28 | $30 |
| COASTER adult one-way | $5.00–$6.50 by zone | $6.50 flat | $7.00 flat |
| COASTER adult monthly | $140–$182 by zone | $185 | $190 |
| Youth (18 and under) | Free | Free | Free through June 2027 |
MTS Fare Change FAQs; SANDAG news release (July 17, 2026); NCTD fares page; Times of San Diego (Sept 10, 2026). "—" = not published.
Why fares are going up
SANDAG said the goal is to "help keep transit service levels as high as possible as the agencies face budget challenges." inewsource reported MTS projects annual deficits growing from $118 million to $146 million over four years, and NCTD a $16 million deficit by fiscal 2028, citing federal funding reductions and ridership that hasn't fully returned since the pandemic. MTS officials warned of service cuts by 2029 without new revenue. The agencies expect the increase to cost them a small share of riders — about 2.2% in phase one for MTS.
How to pay less
Which fare product fits your trip
| Tap a card or phone (PRONTO / contactless) | Monthly regional pass | PRONTO LIFE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Visitors and occasional riders | Commuters riding most weekdays | Riders enrolled in CalFresh, Medi-Cal or CalWORKs |
| How it works | Each ride charges a one-way fare, capped at the day-pass price | — | — |
| Transfers | Unlimited for two hours on a one-way fare | — | — |
| Break-even | — | About 29 one-way trips a month at $3 | — |
| Bonus | — | A COASTER monthly also works on Amtrak Surfliner via Rail 2 Rail | — |
| Price | — | — | Old fares frozen: $2.50 one-way, $6 day, $72 monthly |
| Scale | — | — | About 34,000 current pass holders qualify; up to 365,000 more CalFresh enrollees could |
| Verdict | No need to decide up front | — | — |
Sources don't agree on the last time fares rose: Times of San Diego says neither agency had raised fares since 2009, while inewsource notes NCTD also adjusted fares in 2019. Either way, it's been years — and fares are now going up twice in 12 months.
KEEP READING
SOURCES
Everything above traces back to one of these. Follow them — if one has changed and we haven't, that's our mistake, not yours.
San Diego Metropolitan Transit System · 2026-09-29
Phase I and II fares; COASTER flat fare; PRONTO LIFE; youth
SANDAG · 2026-07-17
Vote date; monthly passes; rationale
- PrimaryBus & train fares + passes
North County Transit District · 2026-09-29
Current COASTER zone fares
- PrimaryFare chart
San Diego Metropolitan Transit System · 2026-09-29
Pre-change one-way and day pass; 2-hour transfers; fare capping
Times of San Diego · 2026-09-10
Day pass $6→$7; PRONTO LIFE numbers
inewsource · 2026-04-17
Deficits; ridership impact