Metropolitan Transit System of San Diego earns a flawless grade during triennial financial evaluation.
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has made headlines after receiving a perfect score in the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) 2025 Triennial Review. This achievement is a testament to MTS's exceptional compliance and financial management with federal funds.
According to the FTA, the Triennial Review is a comprehensive evaluation of a transit agency's performance and compliance with federal requirements and policies. The review covers various aspects, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, equal employment opportunity, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, and legal and regulatory compliance.
The FTA reviewers spent multiple days on site at MTS, conducting a thorough examination of MTS's policies, practices, and procedures. This extensive review process involved assessing MTS's financial management, maintenance, ADA and Title VI compliance, procurement, safety, and more.
MTS's perfect score is particularly significant given that, as far as the search results indicate, no other transit agencies received a perfect score in the FTA's Triennial Review. This achievement reflects no deficiencies found by the FTA in key compliance areas.
In contrast, other major transit systems, such as the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), are currently grappling with severe funding challenges. SEPTA is at risk of slashing nearly half of its services due to a $213 million budget deficit and struggles with securing transportation funding from state lawmakers. This stark contrast underscores MTS’s strong financial management and compliance performance.
Meanwhile, Chesco Connect transit in Chester County, Pennsylvania, has shown growth in ridership and improvements in service reliability. However, there's no mention of it undergoing or achieving a perfect Triennial Review score.
Stephen Whitburn, San Diego MTS Board chair and San Diego City councilmember, stated that the perfect score showcases the MTS team's professionalism and commitment. San Diego MTS CEO Sharon Cooney echoed this sentiment, noting that it is uncommon for a transit agency to receive a perfect score in the FTA's triennial review.
The FTA's review of MTS evaluated 23 critical areas, and MTS's team worked hard to provide all the necessary documentation. The funding received by MTS over the past three years, totaling over $320 million, has been used for preventive maintenance, state of good repair projects, purchasing new trolleys and buses, zero-emissions bus infrastructure, and operating assistance.
The FTA's triennial review plays a crucial role in identifying potential issues, providing support to grantees, mitigating risks, and improving public transparency. The outcome of the FTA's review couldn't have been better for MTS, underscoring the agency's dedication to maintaining high standards of compliance and financial management.
In summary, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System's perfect score in the FTA's Triennial Review is a significant achievement that highlights the agency's exceptional compliance and financial management with federal funds. This stands in stark contrast to the funding challenges faced by other major transit systems, such as SEPTA. The FTA's triennial review process is instrumental in maintaining high standards of compliance and transparency within the transit industry.
References:
- FTA Press Release: FTA Announces 2025 Triennial Review Results
- San Diego Union-Tribune: San Diego MTS gets perfect score in federal transit review
- Chesco Connect: Chesco Connect Ridership and On-Time Performance Improvements
- Philadelphia Inquirer: SEPTA facing $213 million budget deficit, service cuts and fare hikes
- BillyPenn: SEPTA Faces $213 Million Budget Deficit, Service Cuts, and Fare Increases
- The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) scored perfect in the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) 2025 Triennial Review, demonstrating exceptional compliance and financial management with federal funds.
- The FTA's Triennial Review evaluates a transit agency's performance and compliance with federal requirements and policies, covering various aspects such as ADA compliance, Title VI, equal employment opportunity, and legal and regulatory compliance.
- In contrast, other transit systems like the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) are currently battling severe funding challenges, risking service cuts due to a $213 million budget deficit.
- The perfect score achieved by MTS reflects its team's professionalism, dedication, and commitment to maintaining high standards of compliance and financial management, as seen in their effective use of funding for maintenance, state of good repair projects, and purchasing new trolleys and buses.
