San Diego may kill one-third of its bus routes as budget crisis looms

San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System may “eliminate one-third of bus routes, reduce service on another one-third of routes and run the San Diego trolley’s four lines less frequently,” to fight off an impending budget crisis, David Garrick writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. The city anticipates an annual budget deficit of $100 million to $150 million beginning in fiscal year 2030.  

The transit company's rough-draft proposal would kill 33 of the 95 MTS bus routes, heavily reduce service on another 29 bus routes and reduce service on all four of San Diego’s trolley lines. Twenty-one percent of MTS riders would lose some form of transit service, with about 3% of riders having no nearby alternative. Roughly 36% of riders would experience reductions in service frequency. 

“The bleak scenario would be necessary despite fare increases scheduled to take effect Oct. 1. But it could be avoided if MTS gets some sort of state bailout or if local voters approve a sales tax hike devoted to transit in 2028,” The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.