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Fares & payment
PRONTO is the single fare system for MTS and NCTD — Trolley, bus, COASTER and SPRINTER. The key thing visitors miss: you never have to buy a pass, because fares cap automatically.
Last updated
PRONTO is San Diego's transit fare system. A one-way Trolley or bus ride is $2.50, fares cap at $6 per day and $72 per month, and you can pay with the free PRONTO app, a $2 plastic PRONTO card, or by tapping a contactless credit card or phone wallet on the validator.
One-way (Trolley/bus)
$2.50, 2-hour transfers included
Daily cap
$6 — pay as you go, rides after that are free
Monthly cap
$72
COASTER
$5.50–$6.50 one way; $13 regional day cap
Youth 18 and under
Free with a registered PRONTO card (Youth Opportunity Pass)
Senior/disabled/Medicare
$1.10 one way, $23 monthly cap
Every tap deducts $2.50 until you hit $6 in a calendar day; after that, the rest of the day's rides are free. The same logic applies monthly at $72. There is no reason to prepay a day pass — you can only lose money by doing so if your day ends up being one or two rides.
No — you can tap a contactless credit card or phone wallet, or use the free PRONTO app. A physical card is only required for discount programs.
$6 for buses and the Trolley, but you don't need to buy one: PRONTO caps your fares at $6 automatically.
Yes — riders 18 and under ride free on MTS and NCTD with a registered PRONTO card through the Youth Opportunity Pass program.
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Written and fact-checked by the Sandi Spots Editorial team — San Diego residents publishing under Sleep Coast LLC. Every place we recommend has been visited in person or verified against an official source, and no business can pay for inclusion or a higher ranking. Last updated .