Ride Transit for Free in September with PRONTO

Gas prices are going up. But you can ride transit for free in September – and beyond!

San Diego’s Metropolitan Transportation System (MTS) is letting everyone ride their trolleys and buses for free — for the entire month of September — by getting their new PRONTO card.

MTS is replacing its old Compass payment system with the new PRONTO payment system, which offers easier ways to pay and greater accessibility. MTS will no longer accept Compass fare products as of Oct. 1. Prices to ride transit will remain the same.

To ride for free in September, riders must get the PRONTO card, preferably before Sept. 1, or download the app. People are expected to be able to start downloading the PRONTO app in mid-to-late August at Apple’s App Store or at the Google Play Store.

Try it out and consider making transit a part of your life if you haven’t already! The County supports transit and reducing carbon emissions by reimbursing employees for all or part of their transit costs, from daily fares to monthly passes.

People can arrange to get a PRONTO card by visiting the MTS Transit Store from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by picking one up at one of numerous PRONTO events MTS is holding this month at its centers (see the events list here).

People can also request a PRONTO card be mailed to them by:

·       Calling the PRONTO Support Center at 619-595-5636

·       Completing the online application form (this option is only available for adult PRONTO cards).

To learn all about the PRONTO system, what it does and how it works, visit MTS’ PRONTO card webpage.