Transportation

Metropolitan Transit System

The Metropolitan Transit System (commonly known as the MTS) is the main source of public transportation for the San Diego county. It covers roughly all of San Diego county as well as the rural parts of East county. The operate the Bus system, the five light rail/trolley systems, and the freight routes. Serving over 88 million trips annually^[1], the MTS is a pivotal part of how San Diego operates and succeeds.

History

The agency was founded on July 3, 1886^[2] as the "San Diego Street Car Company". As the San Diego population increased, the need and demand for public transportation increased. This led John D. Spreckels^[3] to buy out and incorporate many transportation companies calling this new incorporated company the "San Diego Electric Railway Company". As the use of public transportation increased, Spreckels increased his grip on power, even forcing the City of San Diego to sign a lease on his advantage. Starting in 1916, ownership of private vehicles increased as the cost for these railways also increased.

In 1922, the first bus went into service in San Diego, spurring the future for the San Diego Electric Railway Company. In 1946, as the buses routes' popularity started to rise, the decision to discontinue the electric rail was reached. In 1948, a change in ownership happened and the company changed its name to the "San Diego transit System." As time went on, the ridership for public transportation decreased, as it did in the 1920s even thought the population exponentially increased.

In 1967, voters agreed that the city of San Diego should take over as the head of the Transit System, even though ridership was dipping throughout the years. The agency finally changed to their familiar name to the "Metropolitan Transit System". In 1980, the trolley was introduced, increasing ridership almost instantly. It went from Downtown San Diego to the International Border. In 1986, the Orange Line was introduced, giving San Diego State Student access to the trolley now. In 1989, the Orange Line expanded to the City of La Mesa. In the following years, the trolley created and expanded their routes, to include the Blue and Green Line. In 2021, the Blue Line extended and connect the trolley with the University of California: San Diego Campus

Bus Routes

There are more than 100 bus routes with almost 4,193 bus stops all over San Diego

The current Bus Routes are:^[4]

1 | Fashion Valley - La Mesa
2 | Downtown - North Park
3 | UCSD Med. Ctr. / Hillcrest - Euclid Trolley
4 | Lomita Village - 12th & Imperial Transit Ctr
5 | Euclid Trolley - Downtown San Diego / 10th & Broadway
6 | Fashion Valley - North Park
7 | Downtown - University & College
8 | Old Town - Balboa Avenue Transit Center
9 | Pacific Beach via SeaWorld - Old Town via SeaWorld
10 | University & College - Old Town Transit Center
11 | SDSU - Downtown
12 | Skyline Hills - City College
13 | Kaiser Hosp. / Grantville Trolley - 24th St. Trolley
14 | Grantville Trolley - Baltimore & Lake Murray
18 | Grantville - Camino del Rio - Grantville
20 | Rancho Bernardo Transit Station - Downtown San Diego
25 | Kearny Mesa Transit Center - Fashion Valley Transit Center
27 | Pacific Beach - Kearny Mesa Transit Center
28 | Shelter Island - Old Town Transit Center
30 | Old Town - UTC / VA Medical Center
31 | UTC - Mira Mesa
35 | Old Town Transit Center - Ocean Beach
41 | UCSD - Fashion Valley Transit Center
43 | Balboa Avenue Transit Center - Kearny Mesa Transit Center
44 | Kearny Mesa - Old Town
60 | UTC via Kearny Mesa - Euclid Av Trolley Station via Kearny Mesa
83 | Old Town - Downtown
84 | Shelter Island - Sub Base / Cabrillo Monument
88 | Fashion Valley Transit Center - Old Town Transit Center
105 | Old Town Transit Center - UTC
110 | Downtown San Diego - Mira Mesa Express
115 | SDSU Transit Center - El Cajon Transit Center
120 | Kearny Mesa Transit Ctr Limited Stops - Downtown Limited Stops
201 | UCSD Medical Center -- UCSD -- Nobel -- UTC
202 | UCSD Medical Center -- UCSD -- Nobel -- UTC
204 | UTC -- Executive -- Judicial -- UTC
215 | SDSU - Downtown
225 | Downtown San Diego - Otay Mesa Transit Center
235 | Downtown San Diego - Escondido Transit Center
237 | Mira Mesa - UC San Diego
280 | Downtown San Diego - Escondido Transit Center
290 | Downtown San Diego - Rancho Bernardo Transit Station
701 | H Street Trolley - Palomar Street Trolley
704 | E Street Trolley - Palomar Street Trolley
705 | Southwestern College - Bayfront / E Street Trolley
707 | Southwestern College - Otay Ranch Town Center
709 | Otay Ranch Town Center - H St. Trolley
712 | Southwestern College - Palomar St. Trolley Station
815 | El Cajon Transit Ctr. - East Main & Madison
816 | Cuyamaca College - El Cajon Transit Ctr.
832 | Santee Town Center - North Santee
833 | El Cajon Transit Center - Santee Trolley Station
834 | Santee Trolley -- West Santee -- Santee Trolley
838 | East County Sq - Alpine
848 | Lakeside - El Cajon Transit Center
851 | Spring Street Trolley - Spring Valley
852 | Grossmont Transit Center - University & 54th
854 | Grossmont College - Grossmont Transit Center
855 | Spring Street Trolley - Rancho San Diego
856 | SDSU - Rancho SD / Cuyamaca College
864 | El Cajon Transit Center - East County Square
872 | El Cajon Shuttle Loop
874 | El Cajon Transit Center - East El Cajon
875 | El Cajon Transit Center - East El Cajon
888 | Jacumba / Campo - El Cajon
891 | Borrego Springs via Shelter Valley - El Cajon
892 | Borrego Springs via Ranchita - El Cajon
894 | Tecate -- Campo -- Morena Village - El Cajon
901 | Downtown San Diego - Iris Trolley
904 | Ferry Landing - Coronado City Hall
905 | Otay Mesa Transit Center - Iris Trolley
906 | San Ysidro/International Border - Iris Trolley
907 | San Ysidro/International Border - Iris Trolley
909 | Otay Mesa Transit Center - Southwestern College at Otay Mesa
916 | Streamview -- College Grove -- Massachusetts Av -- Euclid
917 | Streamview -- College Grove -- Massachusetts Av -- Euclid
921 | UTC - Mira Mesa
923 | Ocean Beach - Downtown
928 | Fashion Valley Transit Center - Kearny Mesa Transit Center
929 | Iris Transit Center - 12th & Imperial *
932 | 8th St Trolley - Iris Ave Transit Center *
933 | Walmart - Palm Av - Seacoast - I.B. Blvd - Iris
934 | Walmart - Palm Av - Seacoast - I.B. Blvd - Iris
936 | SDSU Transit Center - Spring Valley
944 | Poway - Sabre Springs Transit Station
945 | Rancho Bernardo Transit Station - Old Poway Park
945A | Poway Loop
950 | Iris Trolley - Otay Mesa Transit Center
955 | SDSU Transit Center - 8th Street Trolley
961 | 24th Street Trolley - Encanto / 62nd Street Trolley
962 | Spring Valley - 8th Street Trolley
963 | 8th Street Transit Center - Paradise Hills
964 | Alliant International University - Camino Ruiz & Capricorn
965 | City Heights Circulator
967 | 24th St Transit Center - Division/Ava
968 | 8th Street Transit Center - Plaza Bonita
972 | Sorrento Mesa
973 | Carroll Canyon
974 | Sorrento Valley Coaster Connection
978 | Torrey Pines
979 | North University City
985 | UC San Diego - N. Torrey Pines *
992 | Downtown -- Airport -- Downtown *

Trolley Routes

There are 4 total routes: Blue Line, Green Line, Orange Line, and Silver Line) with over 62 stations in between

Blue Line^[5]: The largest of the 4 lines that stretches from the University Town Center (UTC) to the San Ysidro International Border
Orange Line^[6]: The eastern-most line that travels from Arnele Avenue to the Courthouse.
Green Line^[7]: the most inter-connected line that travels from Santee to 12th and Imperial
Silver Line^[8]: The Silver Line are the restored vintage trolley carts that use a loop of Downtown San Diego as their route.

Private Transportation

San Diego and California in general is a very car heavy community. Over 95%^[9] of San Diego County residents have access to at least one privately own vehicle. If you are planning to settle or stay in San Diego for an extended period of time, it would be advised to have access to a car. Car rentals are also a good option for travelers. The average day cost in San Diego for Car Rentals are $73^[10] a day. Finally, Uber is a good option as car sharing apps are in the rise the last following years. San Diego have urban areas with many opportunities for ride-sharing if wanted.

San Diego International Airport

The San Diego International Airport (also known as SAN) is the largest airport in the San Diego Area. It is known as the United States' busiest single runway airport and the second busiest in the world. In 2019, the airport served more than 25 million^[11] passengers. There are two terminals in the airport. Some of the top destinations include: San Fransisco, Seattle, and Dallas.

History

Built in 1929^[12], it was named in honor the famous aviator Charles Lindbergh. The San Diego Municipal Corporation were the original contractors of this project. In the years following, it became a huge military hub for naval aviation operations. The height of this type usage came during World War Two, including the creation and maintenance of bomber planes.

As air travel was getting more and more popular, there was a need to either expand or move location. In 1967, the decision to expand the facility was met and the second terminal was eventually created. In 2003, the airport finally was changed to the current name, The San Diego International Airport.

Accommodations

Inside the Airport, there are many shops, restaurants, and cafes to enjoy. There are many bus routes, taxis, and car rentals that also connect the airport to the rest of the city and county.

Current Political Issues

Only 1% of jobs in the Metropolitan area are accessible in a span of 30 minute with public transit. With the 1 hour span, it only increases to 8%. This blocks people who needs public transit to move around from 90% of jobs. There was a failed citizens' initiative that urged the Government to create a new plan to "increase the infrastructure for the inner city."^[13]
Plans for new housing policy pushes transit friendly zones so that people who live in these new large housing space are close and within walking distances from the transit areas. The issue, however, stems form the broad wording. Many interpret the word "close" different and it cause many obstacles like canyons or freeways that create an even further walk for them.^[14]
Build Better SD is a citywide initiative that aims to meet the goals of sustainability while developing and maintaining the public streets or structures. There are many items on their checklist including road repair. ^[15]

References

[1] ttps://www.sdmts.com/about/about-mts#:~:text=MTS%20generates%2088%20million%20annual,trips%20each%20weekday%20pre%2DCOVID.

[2] ttps://www.sdmts.com/about/history

[3] ttps://sandiegohistory.org/archives/biographysubject/spreckels/

[4] ttps://www.sdmts.com/transit-services/bus-routes

[5] ttps://www.sdmts.com/getting-around/departures-and-schedules/schedules/510

[6] ttps://www.sdmts.com/getting-around/departures-and-schedules/schedules/520

[7] ttps://www.sdmts.com/getting-around/departures-and-schedules/schedules/530

[8] ttps://www.sdmts.com/transit-services/vintage-trolley

[9] ttps://www.sandiego.edu/soles/centers-and-institutes/nonprofit-institute/what-we-do/create-and-share-knowledge/dashboard/transportation.php#:~:text=As%20of%202018%2C%20over%2095,declining%20use%20of%20public%20transit.

[10] ttps://www.tripadvisor.com/RentalCars-g60750-San_Diego_California.html

[11] ttps://www.san-diego-airport.com/

[12] ttps://simpleflying.com/san-diego-international-airport-history/

[13] ttps://voiceofsandiego.org/2022/07/21/public-transit-is-not-just-an-environmental-issue-its-about-the-workforce/

[14] ttps://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/commentary/story/2023-01-30/opinion-new-homebuilding-proposal-would-encourage-sprawl-far-from-transit

[15] ttps://www.sandiego.gov/buildbettersd

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