San Diego MTS Board Approves $448.2MM Operating Budget for FY25
Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
(San Diego MTS)
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Board of Directors on June 20 approved a $448.2 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2025.
The newly approved budget fully funds current service levels on all three Trolley lines and more than 100 bus routes. The budget also funds MTS security improvements implemented earlier in the year, increasing the number of officers, improving visibility and response times.
During the budget process, MTS staff was informed that $284 million new State grant funding was being “frozen indefinitely” as the State continued to balance its budget. This, MTS says, was significant news as the initial draft of the FY 2025 operating budget included $19.7 million in Senate Bill (SB) 125 Transit and Intercity Rail Capital (TIRCP) funds. As a result, the agency postponed Trolley and bus service increases funded by SB125 funds until the future of those funds is “more certain.” If the funds are released, MTS says it is ready to advance the service enhancements as planned.
According to the agency, the FY 2025 total budgeted revenue is projected at $448.2 million, and total expenses are projected at $448.2 million, resulting in a balanced budget for FY 2025. The full budget can be viewed on the June 20 Board of Directors Agenda (Item 20, p. 238).
In addition to the operating budget, MTS also has a $250.1 million Capital Improvement Program budget in FY 2025 that it says will “greatly enhance bus and rail state of good repair efforts, fund facility and construction projects, rail infrastructure improvements, and other major initiatives.” In total, 66 projects will be funded by the Capital Improvement Program.
“I am pleased we adopted a budget that fully maintains current service levels, keeps our fares affordable and provides a critical service enabling residents to access healthcare, jobs, education and more,” said MTS Board Chair and San Diego Councilmember Stephen Whitburn. “I’d like to thank staff and my colleagues on the Board for working together to balance this year’s budget and anticipate fiscal challenges the agency could face in the future.”
