MTS, NCTD offer free travel with the new PRONTO card throughout September

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System is offering free rides to passengers with the new PRONTO card in September.

The aim of this agreement is to familiarize passengers with the new MTS and North County Transit District fare system. From October the PRONTO maps and the app will replace the old compass map and cloud system.

The free tariff program in September includes buses and trolley trips from MTS as well as the SPRINTER light rail line from NCTD, the BREEZE bus system and the FLEX service. COASTER trips are not part of the promotion.

The PRONTO card is available in physical and digital format. Drivers tap or scan their card every time they board the trolley or bus.

The new system is designed to provide the best value to passengers, said Marcial Gutiérrez, marketing specialist at MTS.

With the new card, the one-way tariff applies to unlimited transfer between trolley and bus for two hours. Passengers can use the PRONTO mobile app to monitor how much of this time is left.

There’s also a fare cap feature so passengers don’t have to pay more than $ 6 per day or $ 72 per month. or $ 3 per day and $ 23 per month in the case of the elderly, adolescents, or people with disabilities. As soon as this daily or monthly rate is reached, the system stops the charging process.

“It’s a smart system with new technology that essentially knows how much money you’ve spent in a day or a month and stops charging you once you hit the peak,” Gutiérrez said.

From October, drivers will have the opportunity to top up their cards online or via the mobile app, as well as at ticket machines and participating shops.

The name PRONTO was chosen in order to reach a wider audience.

“We have a very diverse population in San Diego. Over 60 percent of our drivers speak Spanish and PRONTO is a very familiar word in various languages, ”said Gutierrez.

The purple color of the card represents the mix of red, the main color of MTS, and blue of NCTD.

Throughout August, a number of events were held at local public transport stations to give away PRONTO cards and promote the new system. Gutiérrez said more than 15,000 cards had been distributed in the district by Friday.

Cards are available throughout September from the MTS Transit Store, ticket machines, some stores and community events. By visiting RidePronto.com/get-a-card/, drivers can also find the location closest to their zip code.