North County Transit District

History of NCTD and the San Diego Northern Railway

The North San Diego County Transit Development Board (NSDCTDB) was established in 1976 by California Senate Bill No. 802 to plan, construct, and operate public transit in North San Diego County. The Board quickly acquired the municipal transit systems operated by the cities of Escondido and Oceanside. The Board also designed a regional transit system consisting of local and regional corridor routes to serve the transportation needs of North San Diego County.

In 1982, planning began for the Coast Express Rail (COASTER) commuter rail service. On June 2, 1994, the Board created a non-profit corporation called the San Diego Northern Railway (SDNR) to maintain, enhance, and operate the COASTER. SDNR purchased the tracks to be used by the COASTER from the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in 1994; SDNR was later dissolved in 2002. On February 27, 1995, COASTER service commenced.

On January 1, 2003, Senate Bill 1703 was enacted, transferring responsibility for future transit planning, programming, development, and construction to the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), San Diego’s regional planning agency. In 2005, the State Legislature changed NSDCTDB’s name to the North County Transit District (NCTD).

In March 2008, after many years of planning, the SPRINTER light rail began service. FLEX on-demand service began in 2011.

In fiscal year 2009, NCTD projected annual operating deficits of more than $24 million by 2014. In response, NCTD made proactive changes to maintain transit services and related jobs, including reducing staff and renegotiating and restructuring various contracts. These changes closed a five-year, $80 million budget gap. The new business model also allowed NCTD to lower fares, increase service and ridership, and grow its financial reserves.

Throughout its history, NCTD has relied on public funding. In 1987, voters approved the Proposition A TransNet Ordinance, which provided funding for future transit projects and improvements to the existing system. In November 2004, voters approved a 40-year extension of the TransNet sales tax, which will allow NCTD to continue to operate service for many years.

NCTD current service

NCTD provides public transit in North San Diego County, from the Pacific Ocean east to Ramona, and from the Orange County border south to Del Mar, with connections extending to downtown San Diego. NCTD offers the following services:

BREEZE Bus

BREEZE buses provide public transportation for residents of North San Diego County. What is now known as the BREEZE began in 1976 when NCTD acquired the municipal bus systems serving Escondido and Oceanside.

The annual ridership of BREEZE buses is 7.9 million people, with an average weekday ridership of 25,800 people. More than 2,600 bus stops and 9 transit centers service the BREEZE route. The fleet comprises 161 vehicles, including 120 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.

In November 2009, NCTD approved outsourcing all bus and rail operations effective July 1, 2010, to First Transit. The agency anticipated saving $70 million over seven years with the move. Fleet and facility operators remained NCTD employees until their contracts expired June 30, 2011.

As of January 2013, NCTD offers 30 BREEZE bus routes plus 4 FLEX zones.

SPRINTER light rail

The SPRINTER is a 22-mile light rail line that runs east and west between Escondido and Oceanside. A total of 455 trains run every week.

The SPRINTER’s first day of service was March 9, 2008. The annual ridership was 2.5 million people in 2015, with an average weekday ridership of 8,300 people. Fifteen stations are served by the SPRINTER route. SPRINTER equipment includes 12 light rail Diesel multiple unit passenger trains. Bombardier Transportation operates the SPRINTER.

COASTER commuter rail

The COASTER is a 41-mile commuter train that runs north and south between Oceanside and downtown San Diego. A total of 126 trains run every week, with expanded service offered in the spring and summer and additional trains scheduled for special events as needed.

The COASTER’s first day of service was February 27, 1995. The annual ridership is 1.7 million people, with an average weekday ridership of 5,700 people in 2015. The COASTER route serves 8 stations on its route, including the termini at Oceanside and Santa Fe Depot in Downtown San Diego. COASTER equipment includes 7 locomotives and 28 bi-level coaches. Bombardier Transportation operates the COASTER.

LIFT paratransit service

LIFT vehicles provide origin to destination service for people with disabilities who are unable to use BREEZE buses due to their disability and have been certified for eligibility, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Service is available for trips within ¾ mile of fixed bus routes.

The LIFT’s first day of service was January 1, 1993. The American Logistics Company operates the LIFT.

FLEX on-demand service

FLEX is an on-demand service in parts of southwest Carlsbad and Ramona, where BREEZE service is not available. FLEX vehicles take passengers anywhere within the FLEX zone or to the nearest transfer point on the BREEZE, COASTER, or SPRINTER. Required at least 30 minutes in advance, reservations can be made by calling toll-free 855-844-1454. The American Logistics Company operates the FLEX service.

Board of Directors

A Board of Directors governs NCTD. The Board includes members from Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Escondido, Oceanside, Solana Beach, San Marcos, Vista, and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

Green Initiatives

NCTD has implemented cutting-edge green initiatives and sustainability programs that minimize the environmental impact of public transit. NCTD recently installed solar panels, saving the agency $1 million in energy costs over five years. NCTD has increased recycling and improved lighting and is using biodegradable cleaning supplies. In addition, NCTD has received grant funding to install electric smart car chargers in transit center parking lots.

Compass Card

In September 2008, SANDAG introduced a new contactless "Compass Card" using technology by Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc. The Compass Card allows passengers from NCTD and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to store regional transit passes and/or cash value on a re-writeable RFID card.

As of January 2012, customers may purchase and add value to Compass Cards at 42 Albertson’s grocery stores in North San Diego County.

Smoking Ban

On October 16, 2008, NCTD board members unanimously voted to adopt NCTD Ordinance 1, banning smoking at all transit centers, train stations, and bus stops. The ban does not apply to parking lots at transit centers and there is no penalty for anyone found noncompliant with the ordinance.

Surfing Madonna

In 2011, an artist surreptitiously installed a mosaic on the wall of a COASTER bridge near the Encinitas station that came to be known as "Surfing Madonna". In early 2012, the Encinitas City Council voted to accept the mosaic under a long-term loan agreement and to support a proposal to put the mosaic on publicly owned land near Moonlight Beach. The Encinitas City Council stipulated that acceptance of the mosaic is contingent upon the artist, Mark Patterson, signing an agreement that he will pay for the mosaic’s removal if it becomes the subject of a religious-imagery lawsuit.