MTS Board Moves to Reform Fare Evasion Enforcement

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – The Board of Directors of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has approved a new initiative to handle fare evasion differently, with the objective of steering clear of criminal proceedings. This initiative, authorized on Thursday, will implement an administrative review system for specific fare evasion and passenger conduct infractions.

Monica Montgomery Steppe, MTS chair pro tem and San Diego County Supervisor, stated, “My goal since I began advocating for this change in 2019 has been to prevent a missed transit fare from becoming a financial burden that follows someone for years.” The new process aims to limit penalties related to unpaid citations to a maximum of $125, offering alternatives like installment payments and community service. Implementation is set for January 1, 2029. An earlier analysis indicated MTS lost $17 million to $23 million in fare revenue due to evasion.