Encinitas COASTER riders will pay a single $6.50 flat fare starting Thursday, Oct. 1, no matter how far they travel on the commuter rail line.
The North County Transit District (NCTD) is scrapping its three-zone pricing system in favor of one fare for the entire route, according to the agency's fares page. For riders boarding at the Encinitas station at 25 East "D" St., the change means the end of $5.00 one-zone trips to nearby Solana Beach. Every ride now costs $6.50 for adults and $3.25 for seniors, disabled riders and Medicare recipients.
Zone-based pricing is gone.
The shift also raises monthly pass prices. Adult monthly passes jump to $185, up from $140 for a one-zone pass. Monthly passes had not increased since 2008, according to NCTD's fare change study. Senior and disabled monthly passes rise to $60, up from $58.
A new COASTER Regional Day Pass costs $15 for adults and $7.50 for senior and disabled riders. The day pass covers COASTER, SPRINTER, BREEZE, FLEX and all San Diego Metropolitan Transit System services.
The free Youth Opportunity Pass for riders 18 and under is not affected, though NCTD said it remains subject to funding availability.
Why fares are rising
Transit operating costs in San Diego have climbed while sales tax revenue and fare income have stayed flat or declined, according to NCTD's fare change study. The agency projects 20–25% less funding for bus and rail operations in the near future.
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Transportation Committee approved the fare changes on Friday, July 17. The NCTD Board of Directors, which includes Encinitas representative Jim O'Hara, recommended the changes. As Streetsblog California reported, SANDAG surveys found 71% of transit riders in 2025 preferred higher fares with similar service over lower fares with reduced service.
"Raising fares was the only way to avoid reducing transit service, a trade off that transit riders time and time again say they prefer," Aria Grossman, policy manager at Circulate Planning & Policy, said in July when the increase was approved.
What comes next
The increases roll out in two phases. Phase I takes effect Thursday. Phase II, set for Friday, Oct. 1, 2027, bumps the adult one-way fare to $7.00 and the senior/disabled fare to $3.50.
Riders can buy passes through the PRONTO mobile app, at ticket vending machines or at any NCTD customer service office. NCTD Customer Experience can be reached at (760) 966-6500.
