San Diego (CNS)-If passengers switch to the city’s new PRONTO toll system, they can use San Diego’s public transportation for free in September.

The San Diego Metropolitan Transportation System Board approved the plan on Thursday, hoping that it will ease the transition from Compass Cards to PRONTO, which is scheduled to be launched that month.

Nathan Fletcher, Chairman of the MTS Board of Directors, said: “Providing free rides for passengers who switch to PRONTO accounts throughout September is a good way for passengers to familiarize themselves with the new system and obtain a new PRONTO card.

“The board is committed to making transportation in San Diego more convenient; and this new system will help increase the accessibility of our trolleys and buses,” he said. “The riders who participated in the free ride plan in September this year will soon realize the ease of use and convenience of the new system, which will bring a better user experience.”

MTS plans to launch an active event in August to allow riders to transition easily.

MTS CEO Sharon Cooney said: “Transitioning hundreds of thousands of people to PRONTO will be a huge effort.” “But providing passengers with free PRONTO cards and free ride services during the launch period is a good incentive. Once they start using PRONTO on a regular basis, riders will quickly realize that the experience has become better and easier, and they will also see some other exciting enhancements that we are waiting for them.”

Since the peak of the “home order” issued by the coronavirus pandemic in April 2020 reached its low point, the number of passengers on MTS buses and trolleybuses has been slowly increasing. MTS currently carries approximately 134,000 passengers per weekday, which is about 50% of pre-pandemic levels.

At the May meeting, the board instructed the staff to report on a comprehensive plan designed to attract passengers back to the system. The core of the agency’s plan is to provide those with a PRONTO card or mobile app with the ability to ride for free throughout September.

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