PRONTO

From Transit.Wiki
(Redirected from Compass)
Prontobrand.jpg

PRONTO is an account based smart card fare-payment system for San Diego County. The system features physical plastic smart cards and virtual card via mobile app to pay for transit fares. It replaces the older Compass card system.

PRONTO web site


PRONTO cards/mobile app are accepted on San Diego MTS, San Diego Trolley, NCTD Breeze bus, Sprinter, and Coaster.

System features

  • Riders can use the same card to transfer between different transit providers
  • If the card is registered, the owner can restore balance in the event of loss, theft, or damage
  • Passes on the card can be replenished automatically.
  • Free 2 hour transfer for one way fare.
  • Fare capping feature allows riders to pay for each ride until hitting the maximum daily and month fare. No purchase of pass is necessary (except Coaster). Monthly pass is still available to purchase for the card, but day pass is not available for pre-purchase (except for Coaster) & works only as a fare cap.

System drawbacks

  • Card costs $2 (mobile app is free)
  • Youth and seniors need to register in advance to receive a youth or senior PRONTO card. Youth and senior fare cannot be added onto a unregistered PRONTO card.
  • Requires riders to tap the card at the reader when boarding San Diego Trolley, Sprinter, or Coaster each time, even if they already have a valid pass. Failure to do so is subject to citation.

Where to get cards

How to add value or pass

Regardless of where you get the card, you can always add value to your card through:

How to pay with the PRONTO

For physical card, tag the card on the front side of the PRONTO validator at station platform or on the bus.

For virtual card on mobile app, open the app & scan the QR code on the phone on the bottom side of the PRONTO validator at the station platform or on the bus.

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