Santa Barbara MTD is seeking comments from community members on a proposed adjustment to its bus fare structure.

MTD said its fares have been unchanged for the past 16 years, but rising operational costs have necessitated an update to keep bus service sustainable and dependable in the future.

Operating costs have increased by more than 10 percent since Fiscal Year 2019, and fares only account for roughly 20 percent of MTD’s annual operating budget.

The district’s major revenue sources are fares, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) operating assistance, and sales tax.

With the FTA classifying Santa Barbara as a large urbanized area (UZA) due to the population growth confirmed by the 2020 Census, MTD is no longer eligible for FTA Small Transit Intensive Cities (STIC) funding of some $3.0 million per year, thus eliminating that funding source.

In the absence of sufficient funding, MTD said it would be forced to make cuts to bus service.

To generate additional revenue of about $1.5 million to help fill that gap, MTD has put together two proposed alternative scenarios.

Alternative 1 consists of a $2.25 cash fare with moderately discounted passes. Alternative 2 consists of a $2.50 cash fare with a greater discount on passes.

MTD will host several open house-style public meetings over the next month to discuss details and hear from community members. The meetings will have English-Spanish interpretation available and will be held as follows:

Wednesday, Jan. 15, 6-7:30 p.m. at Goleta Valley Community Center, 5679 Hollister Ave.

Thursday, Jan. 23, 5-6:30 p.m. at Eastside Library’s MLK, Jr. Room, 1102 E. Montecito St., Santa Barbara.

Saturday, Jan. 25, 2-3:30 p.m. at Santa Barbara Central Library’s Faulkner Gallery, 40 E. Anapamu St.

Wednesday, Feb. 5, 6-7:30 p.m., at Carpinteria Library Community Room, 5141 Carpinteria Ave.

The outreach and survey period runs through mid-February. To review the proposed alternatives and complete a short survey, visit https://sbmtd.gov/farechange.

The survey, offered in English and Spanish, will be available in paper form at the Transit Center and on MTD buses.

Any fare change would go into effect with MTD’s annual service changes on Aug. 18, 2025.