Deputy mayor reports NCTD priorities: Sprinter grade separations, proposed fare increases and a $16 million shortfall
April 29, 2026 | San Marcos, San Diego County, California
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Deputy Mayor Sunella briefed the council on North County Transit District (NCTD) issues at the April 28 meeting, highlighting regional priorities and financial challenges.
Sunella said NCTD staff produced a priority list of nine grade‑separation projects for Sprinter crossings; one project that primarily affects San Marcos (Pacific Street at Mission Road) ranked seventh. She noted that grade separations are costly, require grant funding and typically include city matching funds and partnerships with adjacent jurisdictions.
On fares, Sunella reported the board reviewed public feedback and recommended to SANDAG that the Sprinter, Coaster and Breeze fare structure be simplified—moving from multiple zones to a single zone in some cases—and that a roughly $1 per‑trip increase was under consideration. The change would align NCTD fares with MTS proposals to reduce confusion for riders who travel across agency boundaries. The board also asked staff to pursue a low‑income fare option, while acknowledging implementation details and costs remain to be worked out.
Sunella said fares had not been increased since 2008 and described the proposed changes as an attempt to close a funding gap; she said even with the recommended increases NCTD faces an approximate $16 million deficit. Council members and staff discussed the matching requirements for grade‑separation grants and the potential local budget implications if cities are asked to provide matching funds.
The report did not include final decisions on fare adoption—actions would proceed through SANDAG and follow appropriate public and agency processes—but it identified major regional capital priorities and a need to address ongoing operational shortfalls.
Sunella said NCTD staff produced a priority list of nine grade‑separation projects for Sprinter crossings; one project that primarily affects San Marcos (Pacific Street at Mission Road) ranked seventh. She noted that grade separations are costly, require grant funding and typically include city matching funds and partnerships with adjacent jurisdictions.
On fares, Sunella reported the board reviewed public feedback and recommended to SANDAG that the Sprinter, Coaster and Breeze fare structure be simplified—moving from multiple zones to a single zone in some cases—and that a roughly $1 per‑trip increase was under consideration. The change would align NCTD fares with MTS proposals to reduce confusion for riders who travel across agency boundaries. The board also asked staff to pursue a low‑income fare option, while acknowledging implementation details and costs remain to be worked out.
Sunella said fares had not been increased since 2008 and described the proposed changes as an attempt to close a funding gap; she said even with the recommended increases NCTD faces an approximate $16 million deficit. Council members and staff discussed the matching requirements for grade‑separation grants and the potential local budget implications if cities are asked to provide matching funds.
The report did not include final decisions on fare adoption—actions would proceed through SANDAG and follow appropriate public and agency processes—but it identified major regional capital priorities and a need to address ongoing operational shortfalls.
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