MTS Payroll Deduction Program
Faculty and Staff Payroll Deduction
Full-time benefited employees are eligible to receive a three-month trial transit pass or discounted transit passes for $39/month through pre-tax payroll deduction. Transit payroll deduction passes may be used as often as needed throughout the month and are automatically loaded before the first of every month for employee convenience.
To enroll in the trial transit pass or the MTS payroll deduction, complete the pass request form.
- Must be a full-time, benefitted employee (faculty or staff). This benefit is available to full-time employees of SDSU, SDSU Associated Students, Aztec Shops, and SDSU Research Foundation.
- For payroll deduction, you must be able to commit to the program for a minimum of six (6) months.
- For the trial transit program, you may participate one time during your tenure at SDSU.
Enrollment for the program occurs between the 20th of the previous month and the 8th of the current month for which you would like to enroll. For example, if you would like to enroll for September, you will need to contact us between August 20th and September 8th.
To enroll please complete the MTS Transit Pass Request Form.
- Employees opting in will be sent an AdobeSign card to sign, authorizing payroll deduction from their payroll for $39 a month. There is a six (6) month commitment to the program.*
- After your documents are completed and signed, you will receive an email with instructions.
- Your information will be uploaded to PRONTO monthly until you request that your payroll deduction be canceled. You must email [email protected] one month prior to cancel your payroll deduction.
- You will have the option to use a phone app PRONTO pass, or a physical PRONTO card.
*If you request a trial transit pass, you will complete this form at the beginning of your trial period and will auto-enroll in MTS Payroll Deduction once your trial is over.
Physical cards can be purchased at the PRONTO trolley fare vending machines at trolley stations or MTS Stores.
Payroll deductions are paused only in extenuating circumstances resulting in a minimum of a two-month period in which the employee will not be at work, such as medical leave, parental leave, and sabbatical leave.
If you wish to cancel your active deduction or auto-enrollment before your trial period ends, you must email [email protected] before the 20th of the last month for which you would like to be enrolled. You can cancel anytime after your six-month commitment. If a payroll deduction is cancelled, we will not be able to reactivate your payroll deduction for two semester terms.
- Cancel in Spring = Reactivate in Fall
- Cancel in Summer = Reactivate in Spring
- Cancel in Fall = Reactivate in Summer
This pass may be used on and is valid on the following services:
- MTS buses
- MTS trolley
- MTS Rapid bus
North County Transit District - NCTD
- NCTD BREEZE Buses
- NCTD SPRINTER Train
Call or text MTS if you have security concerns - save this number to your contacts for quick access: 619-595-4960.
- You can send photos or videos if needed.
Visit our Transit Safety Tips page for additional informaiton.
The Green Line Guide is designed to help the SDSU community navigate San Diego's transit system with ease. Focused on the MTS Trolley - Green Line, this guide provides essential information on schedules, station stops, and connections to popular destinations across the city. It also includes tips on using the MTS and highlights nearby amenities, events, and attractions along the transit route.
MTS Payroll Deduction FAQ
If you receive a fare enforcement citation because there was an issue with loading your pass, please contact [email protected]. Send a copy of your citation and a brief description of your situation within 24 hours, so that SDSU can contact MTS as soon as possible. Transportation Services will respond within regular business hours.
As part of SDSU’s ongoing work to support employees and students with sustainable and affordable transportation options, SDSU is following best practices for incentivizing transit utilization. In addition to a 25% discount from MTS as part of bulk-rate purchasing, SDSU is subsidizing employee transit passes to be competitive with parking rates.
You must email [email protected] fourteen days in advance if you would like to cancel your payroll deduction. Refunds are not issued for passes that have already been loaded under any circumstance.
MTS provides these passes at a flat rate per month regardless of when the pass is loaded. SDSU incurs the cost once the pass is issued, and MTS does not offer SDSU refunds.
No. MTS does not issue refunds for passes that have already been loaded. Therefore, we cannot issue refunds.
You may use your existing PRONTO account without having to create another account. Be sure to include your email and card number when submitting the interest form.
You can cancel anytime after your six-month commitment. If a payroll deduction is canceled, we will not be able to reactivate your payroll deduction for two-semester terms.
- Cancel in Spring = Reactivate in Fall
- Cancel in Summer = Reactivate in Spring
- Cancel in Fall = Reactivate in Summer
To initiate or deactivate a payroll-deducted transit pass, please contact Transportation Services via email at [email protected].
No. Refunds are not issued for any passes that have already been loaded to your PRONTO card. Refer to Transportation Services’ refund policy.
SDSU state employees, the SDSU Research Foundation, Aztec Shops, Associated Students, Mission Valley Enterprises, and South Campus Plaza retail partners are eligible to participate. This is subject to change, and Transportation Services reserves the right to discontinue offering this benefit based on business/operational needs.
Any unpaid amounts will be transferred to your on-campus account via Student Account Services. All outstanding fees must be paid directly through Student Account Services.
If your current account is already linked to another program, you must email [email protected] with the email address and card number linked.
Transportation Services offers a trial transit pass so that employees can see if riding the trolley and/or bus fits their needs. Since many people have not used transit for their commute before, the trial pass allows them to learn the route, experience the benefits, and adjust to using transit without a long-term commitment. Shifting more trips from single occupancy vehicles to transit supports the university’s sustainability goals and can help reduce employee stress and commute costs.
If your current account is already linked to another program, you must email [email protected] with the email address and card number linked.
