transportation

MTS Board Approves $66M Security Contract, Extends Fare Evasion Diversion Program

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System has hired a new security contractor and extended its diversion program for fare violators

An MTS trolley in Mission Valley
MTS

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Board of Directors approved a new 5-year, $66 million contract with Inter-Con Security to provide security services on trolleys, buses and MTS properties.

The contract is for three years with an option to extend for an additional two years and will go into effect on Jan. 1.

Inter-Con, headquartered in Pasadena, will employ 190 public safety officers at MTS to patrol the system.

Officer duties will include conducting fare inspections, acting as system ambassadors, supporting bus and rail operations and other employees in need, and helping with lost and found.

In addition to hiring a new security contractor, the MTS Board also extended the Fare Evasion Diversion Program, to Aug. 31, 2022.

The pilot program reduces fines, offers a community service option in lieu of payment and a new appeal window for fare violators. In doing so, MTS hopes to provide more flexibility for passengers who receive citations for not having a valid fare while riding buses and trolleys.

MTS said the pandemic made it difficult to fully weigh the success of the diversion program thus far. The year-long extension allows additional time for MTS to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program and identify if any changes are necessary.

MTS operates 95 bus routes and three trolley lines across 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego county. Frequencies and spans have been restored to near-pre-COVID-19 levels, said MTS.

In addition to the diversion program extension and hiring a new security contractor, MTS has implemented other changes to its security policies and procedures, including:

  • Hiring a new security director
  • Establishing a Security and Passenger Safety Community Advisory Group 
  • Adopting principles in the “8 Can’t Wait” campaign as a guideline for its use-of-force policy
  • Banning carotid restraints and choke holds, including the prohibition of using knee pressure on the neck, throat or head
  • Adopting a “duty to intervene” if MTS security officers witness excessive force by another employee
  • Conducting a third-party peer review of its security policies and procedures, which includes a community-based steering committee to assist with recommendations
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