San Diego Trolley Extension Launch a 'Rousing Success'

San Diego's new trolley extension, which serves UC San Diego and communities near the U.S.-Mexico border, saw strong ridership numbers on its opening day.

1 minute read

December 7, 2021, 9:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


San Diego Trolley

Pazut Wutigornsombatkul / Shutterstock

Since San Diego opened a trolley extension to University Center in late November, ridership numbers show a "rousing success," according to an article in Progressive Railroading. "The agency estimates 24,000 trips were taken on Nov. 21 from the nine new stops along the extension, with more than 16,000 trips coming from the UCSD Central Campus and University Towne Center stations alone." An estimated 60,000 trips were taken on the UC San Diego Blue Line that day, doubling previous Sunday ridership numbers and signaling strong demand from university students and staff.

The highly anticipated new extension expanded the trolley system by 20 percent and connects University City to the U.S.-Mexico border. As the article notes, MTS "operates three trolley lines in 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego County."

Monday, November 29, 2021 in Progressive Railroading

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