Free Transit for Youth 18 and Under Available Starting in May

Starting May 1, anyone aged 18 and under can ride transit for free in San Diego County with a PRONTO account.

SANDAG has teamed up with MTS, NCTD, and the County of San Diego to connect youth to school, jobs, entertainment, and more with the SANDAG Youth Opportunity Pass pilot program. This includes unlimited rides on the bus, Trolley, COASTER, and SPRINTER at no cost through June 30, 2023.

SANDAG is funding this pilot program, with support from the County of San Diego, as part of its Transit Equity Initiative, which is guided by the 2021 Regional Plan.

How to Ride Free: 

1. Get PRONTO
Already have a Youth PRONTO card or app on your phone? All rides will automatically be free starting May 1! If you’re new to PRONTO you can:

Download the PRONTO app and register for an account. Then visit sdmts.com/youth-opportunity-pass to convert your account from Adult to Youth.

Or pick up a free Youth PRONTO card from the MTS Transit Store, NCTD Customer Service Centers, select community organizations, participating schools, or at special transit center events during April and May.
 
2. Get Ready
Use Trip Planner and Next Departure in the PRONTO app for real-time information. Or visit sdmts.com and gonctd.com websites to build your route and find the closest transit station.

3. Get Riding
 It’s time to go! Remember you must tap your card or scan your app every time you ride. Youth must be able to show proof of eligibility while riding such as a school picture ID, government-issued photo ID with birthdate, or a birth certificate.

For more information on the SANDAG Youth Opportunity Pass program, visit YouthOpportunityPass.sandag.org.