The current
San Diego Trolley system map, with three of the four
light rail lines (the part-time heritage streetcar Silver Line is omitted). (Note: The Grantville station is missing from this map.) The proposed Mid-Coast extension of the Blue Line is also shown.
The San Diego Trolley is the light rail system that serves the metropolitan area of San Diego. The operator of the Trolley, San Diego Trolley, Inc. (SDTI),[1] is a subsidiary of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS). The San Diego Trolley opened for service on July 26, 1981,[1] Today operates three main lines named the Blue Line, the Orange Line, and the Green Line, as well as a supplementary heritage streetcar downtown circulator known as the Silver Line that operates mid-days on Tuesdays & Thursdays, and on weekends and holidays.[1]
History
The current operating company of the San Diego Trolley system, San Diego Trolley Incorporated (SDTI), was not founded until 1980[2] when the Metropolitan Transit Development Board (now operating as San Diego's MTS) began to plan a light-rail service along the Main Line of the former San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway (SD&AE Railway), which the MTDB purchased from the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1979.[2] The Trolley began operations on July 19, 1981, with revenue service beginning on July 26, 1981.[2] Trains at that time operated on a single line between Centre City or Downtown San Diego and San Ysidro, with stops in some San Diego neighborhoods, and in the cities of National City and Chula Vista.
In March 1986, SDTI opened an extension east from Centre City San Diego to Euclid Avenue, along the La Mesa Branch of the former SD&AE Railway – this new second line of the Trolley was then called the East Line, while the original line opened in 1981 became the South Line.[2] Service was extended along the East Line to Spring Street on May 12, 1989[2] serving Lemon Grove, and then to La Mesa and El Cajon on June 23, 1989.[2] Service between El Cajon and Santee, which is not along the old SD&AE right-of-way, began on August 26, 1995.[2]
The "Bayside" extension of the Trolley in San Diego, which operates near the waterfront, opened on June 30, 1990.[3] The first phase of the extension to Old Town, from C Street to Little Italy in Downtown San Diego, opened on July 2, 1992.[3] The second phase of the Old Town extension, running from Little Italy to Old Town, opened on June 16, 1996.[3]
The "Mission Valley West" SDTI extension, which opened a new Trolley route between Old Town and Mission San Diego (which included the Qualcomm Stadium stop) commenced service on November 23, 1997,[3] just before San Diego's hosting of Super Bowl XXXII in early 1998. It was at this time that the former South and East Trolley Lines were renamed the Blue Line and Orange Line, respectively.[2][3] The "Mission Valley East" extension between Mission San Diego and La Mesa opened for service on July 10, 2005, coinciding with the inauguration of the Green Line.[3]
Stations along the Blue and Orange lines were renovated during 2010–15 as part of the Trolley Renewal Project.[4][5][6][7]
Current system
The San Diego Trolley system currently has 53 stations serving its four Trolley lines.[1][8]
Fourteen of these stations operate as transfer stations, which allow passengers to transfer between lines. There are two "universal" transfer points (i.e. allowing transfers among all four lines): the 12th & Imperial Transit Center station, and the adjacent America Plaza/Santa Fe Depot stations. Six of the Trolley stations are termini—stations at the end of lines. Of the 53 stations, 37 of them are within the city limits of San Diego, serving various neighborhoods in San Diego; the other 16 stations are located in surrounding communities, such as El Cajon and National City.
Most stations in the San Diego Trolley system are 'at-grade' stations. There are 8 aerial stations in the system, mostly on the newer Green Line. Currently, there is just one station in the Trolley system that is underground (the SDSU Transit Center station), also on the Green Line.
Renamed station
In 1986, the station formerly known as the Gaslamp North or the Centre City station on C Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, was renamed the Fifth Avenue station, and has been known as the Fifth Avenue station ever since.
Closed station
The San Diego Square station, opened in 1981 on C Street between Seventh & Eighth Avenues downtown, was closed on March 23, 1986, due to low ridership, to its close proximity to the (then renamed) Fifth Avenue station, and to the desire to eliminate a station in order to accommodate the soon-to-open infill station at Bayfront/E Street (which opened in October 1986) without adding to travel times along the line.
Remnants of this old station still remain on C Street between Seventh & Eighth Avenues.
Lines
Trolley service currently operates on three main lines offering daily service: the Blue, Green, and Orange Lines, and travels through the 53 stations and 53.5 total miles of double-track rail.[1] A fourth line, the heritage streetcar Silver Line, operates more limited weekday and weekend service, in a clockwise 'circle-loop' around downtown San Diego only.[9]
Stations
The following table lists all stations currently served by the San Diego Trolley.
Table key:
Station[8] |
Line(s) |
Location |
Date opened[2] |
Bus |
Train |
Parking |
Info |
Comments |
008 !8th Street |
Blue Line |
National City |
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981 |
|
|
|
|
|
012 !12th & Imperial Transit Center |
Blue Line Green Line Orange Line Silver Line |
San Diego, East Village |
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981 |
|
|
|
|
Universal transfer station for all lines: transfer for Blue, Green, Orange, and Silver Lines. Serves Petco Park. Terminus for Green and Silver Lines. |
024 !24th Street |
Blue Line |
National City |
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981 |
|
|
|
|
|
025 !25th & Commercial |
Orange Line |
San Diego, Grant Hill |
000000001986-03-23-0000March 23, 1986 |
|
|
|
|
|
032 !32nd & Commercial |
Orange Line |
San Diego, Stockton |
000000001986-03-23-0000March 23, 1986 |
|
|
|
|
|
047 !47th Street |
Orange Line |
San Diego, Chollas View |
000000001986-03-23-0000March 23, 1986 |
|
|
|
|
|
070 !70th Street |
Green Line |
La Mesa |
000000002005-07-10-0000July 10, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
Alvarado Medical Center |
Green Line |
San Diego, College Area |
000000002005-07-10-0000July 10, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
Serves the Alvarado Medical Center. |
Amaya Drive |
Green Line Orange Line |
La Mesa |
000000001989-06-23-0000June 23, 1989 |
|
|
|
|
Transfer station for Green and Orange Lines. |
America Plaza |
Blue Line Orange Line Silver Line |
San Diego, Downtown Core |
000000001991-11-14-0000November 14, 1991 |
|
|
|
|
Transfer station for Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines. Directly adjacent to Santa Fe Depot (i.e. short walking distance) – so is also an "indirect" transfer point for the Green Line. This was an infill station – added upon competition of the One America Plaza building in 1991. Terminus for Blue Line. |
Arnele Avenue |
Green Line |
El Cajon |
000000001995-08-26-0000August 26, 1995 |
|
|
|
|
Serves Westfield Parkway. |
Barrio Logan |
Blue Line |
San Diego, Logan Heights |
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981 |
|
|
|
|
Serves Chicano Park. |
Bayfront / E Street |
Blue Line |
Chula Vista |
000000001986-10-01-0000October 1986 |
|
|
|
|
This was an infill station (it was added 5 years after the line's opening) – the first infill station on the current Blue Line. |
Beyer Boulevard |
Blue Line |
San Diego, San Ysidro |
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981 |
|
|
|
|
|
City College |
Blue Line Orange Line Silver Line |
San Diego, East Village |
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981 |
|
|
|
|
Serves San Diego City College, San Diego High School. Transfer station for Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines. |
Civic Center Transit Center |
Blue Line Orange Line Silver Line |
San Diego, Downtown Core |
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981 |
|
|
|
|
Serves City Hall, Courthouse, and Horton Plaza. Transfer station for Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines. |
Convention Center |
Green Line Silver Line |
San Diego, Marina |
000000001990-06-30-0000June 30, 1990 |
|
|
|
|
Serves Convention Center. Transfer station for Green and Silver Lines. |
County Center / Little Italy |
Green Line |
San Diego, Middletown |
000000001992-07-02-0000July 2, 1992 |
|
|
|
|
Serves San Diego County Administration Center. |
El Cajon Transit Center |
Green Line Orange Line |
El Cajon |
000000001989-06-23-0000June 23, 1989 |
|
|
|
|
Transfer station for Green and Orange Lines. Terminus for Orange Line. |
Encanto / 62nd Street |
Orange Line |
San Diego, Encanto |
000000001989-05-12-0000May 12, 1989 |
|
|
|
|
|
Euclid Avenue |
Orange Line |
San Diego, Emerald Hills |
000000001986-03-23-0000March 23, 1986 |
|
|
|
|
|
Fashion Valley Transit Center |
Green Line |
San Diego, Mission Valley |
000000001997-11-23-0000November 23, 1997 |
|
|
|
|
Serves Fashion Valley Mall. |
Fenton Parkway |
Green Line |
San Diego, Mission Valley |
000000002000-09-19-0000September 19, 2000 |
|
|
|
|
This was an infill station (it was added almost 3 years after the line's opening) – the only infill station on the current Green Line. |
Fifth Avenue |
Blue Line Orange Line Silver Line |
San Diego, Downtown Core |
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981 |
|
|
|
|
Serves Downtown San Diego. Transfer station for Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines. |
Gaslamp Quarter |
Green Line Silver Line |
San Diego, Gaslamp Quarter |
000000001990-06-30-0000June 30, 1990 |
|
|
|
|
Serves Gaslamp Quarter; also Convention Center & Petco Park. Transfer station for Green and Silver Lines. |
Gillespie Field |
Green Line |
El Cajon |
000000001995-08-26-0000August 26, 1995 |
|
|
|
|
Serves Gillespie Field (airport). |
Grantville |
Green Line |
San Diego, Grantville |
000000002005-07-10-0000July 10, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
Grossmont Transit Center |
Green Line Orange Line |
La Mesa |
000000001989-06-23-0000June 23, 1989 |
|
|
|
|
Transfer station for Green and Orange Lines. |
H Street |
Blue Line |
Chula Vista |
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981 |
|
|
|
|
|
Harborside |
Blue Line |
San Diego, Logan Heights |
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981 |
|
|
|
|
|
Hazard Center |
Green Line |
San Diego, Mission Valley |
000000001997-11-23-0000November 23, 1997 |
|
|
|
|
Serves the Hazard Center Shopping Center. |
Iris Avenue |
Blue Line |
San Diego, Otay Mesa West |
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981 |
|
|
|
|
|
La Mesa Boulevard |
Orange Line |
La Mesa |
000000001989-06-23-0000June 23, 1989 |
|
|
|
|
|
Lemon Grove Depot |
Orange Line |
Lemon Grove |
000000001989-05-12-0000May 12, 1989 |
|
|
|
|
|
Massachusetts Avenue |
Orange Line |
Lemon Grove |
000000001989-05-12-0000May 12, 1989 |
|
|
|
|
|
Middletown |
Green Line |
San Diego, Mission Hills |
000000001996-06-16-0000June 16, 1996 |
|
|
|
|
|
Mission San Diego |
Green Line |
San Diego, Mission Valley |
000000001997-11-23-0000November 23, 1997 |
|
|
|
|
Serves Mission San Diego de Alcalá. |
Mission Valley Center |
Green Line |
San Diego, Mission Valley |
000000001997-11-23-0000November 23, 1997 |
|
|
|
|
Serves Westfield Mission Valley. |
Morena / Linda Vista |
Green Line |
San Diego, Morena |
000000001997-11-23-0000November 23, 1997 |
|
|
|
|
Serves University of San Diego. |
Old Town Transit Center |
Green Line |
San Diego, Old Town |
000000001996-06-16-0000June 16, 1996 |
|
|
|
|
Serves Old Town Historic Park. Transfer point for the Coaster and the Surfliner. |
Pacific Fleet |
Blue Line |
San Diego, Logan Heights |
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981 |
|
|
|
|
Serves Naval Base San Diego. |
Palm Avenue |
Blue Line |
San Diego, Palm City |
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981 |
|
|
|
|
|
Palomar Street |
Blue Line |
Chula Vista |
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981 |
|
|
|
|
|
Park & Market |
Blue Line Orange Line Silver Line |
San Diego, East Village |
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981 |
|
|
|
|
Transfer station for Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines. |
Qualcomm Stadium |
Green Line |
San Diego, Mission Valley |
000000001997-11-23-0000November 23, 1997 |
|
|
|
|
Serves Qualcomm Stadium. |
Rio Vista |
Green Line |
San Diego, Mission Valley |
000000001997-11-23-0000November 23, 1997 |
|
|
|
|
|
San Ysidro Transit Center |
Blue Line |
San Diego, San Ysidro |
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981 |
|
|
|
|
Serves U.S.-Mexico International Border. Terminus for Blue Line. This was the original terminus for the original Trolley line. |
Santa Fe Depot |
Green Line Orange Line |
San Diego, East Village |
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981 |
|
|
|
|
Transfer station for Green and Orange Lines. Directly adjacent to America Plaza (i.e. short walking distance) – so is also an "indirect" transfer point for Blue and Silver Lines. Transfer point for the Coaster and the Surfliner. Terminus for Orange Line. This was the original terminus for the original Trolley line. |
Santee Town Center |
Green Line |
Santee |
000000001995-08-26-0000August 26, 1995 |
|
|
|
|
Terminus for Green Line. |
SDSU Transit Center |
Green Line |
San Diego, College Area |
000000002005-07-10-0000July 10, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
Serves San Diego State University. Only underground station in the San Diego Trolley system. |
Seaport Village |
Green Line Silver Line |
San Diego, Marina |
000000001990-06-30-0000June 30, 1990 |
|
|
|
|
Serves Seaport Village. Transfer station for Green and Silver Lines. |
Spring Street |
Orange Line |
La Mesa |
000000001989-05-12-0000May 12, 1989 |
|
|
|
|
|
Washington Street |
Green Line |
San Diego, Mission Hills |
000000001996-06-16-0000June 16, 1996 |
|
|
|
|
|
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "San Diego Trolley, Inc." (pdf). San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. February 2013. Retrieved 2015-12-11 – via http://www.sdmts.com/about-mts.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "History [see: Timeline]". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ristine, Jeff (July 23, 2006). "After 25 years, the trolley keeps on moving". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2009-06-14.
- ↑ Robert J. Hawkins (September 22, 2010). "Construction Begins To Upgrade SD Trolley - $620M Project To Include New Track, Stations Along Blue, Orange Lines". KGTV ABC10 San Diego. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
- ↑ "Several Blue Line trolley stops to close this weekend". The San Diego Union Tribune. October 27, 2010. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
- ↑ Carolina Worrell (December 7, 2015). "Red and robust". Railway Age. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
- ↑ "Trolley Renewal". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. 2015. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
- 1 2 For station info, see also: "Trolley - Map and Station Lists". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS). 2015. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
- ↑ "Vintage Trolley". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. 2015. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
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| | Italics denote non-transit streetcar lines, operating only on limited dates and usually not year-round, for tourism or educational purposes. |
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