SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — San Diego's Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is introducing a pilot program aimed at reducing fines and plans to move to a zero-emission fleet by 2040.
MTS' Board of Directors approved the pilot program recently that will give fare violators new options to pay citations and lower fines. Under the new policy starting in September:
- Passengers have 120 days to pay fines to MTS in-person at the Transit Store or by mail;
- Passengers who can't pay a fine can instead perform 3-4 hours of community service through the San Diego Food Bank, with more organizations potentially added later;
- Passengers can appeal a fare violation within 15 days of the citation;
- Only citations not paid within 120 days will proceed to criminal courts.
The transportation agency says it also plans to convert 800 buses to zero-emissions, most of which will be electric, by 2040.
Currently, MTS' zero-emissions pilot program includes eight electric buses, and infrastructure and hardware for 12 new charging stations. The pilot program started in October 2018 and costs about $12.4 million.
MTS plans to purchase its last natural gas buses in 2028.
The agency operates about 95 bus routes and three Trolley lines in San Diego County.
