Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2016 on the South Bay Rapid transit corridor in Chula Vista. The newest addition to San Diego County’s Rapid transit system, South Bay Rapid will provide a frequent and reliable transportation alternative for South County travelers. When completed, South Bay Rapid will span a 21-mile route, connecting residents to employment and activity centers in downtown San Diego and the South Bay. Service is expected to begin in 2018, and will be operated by the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS).
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Overview
On July 26, 2013, the SANDAG Board of Directors certified the South Bay Rapid Project. View Final EIR.
South Bay Rapid service will provide a quick and reliable transportation alternative from the Otay Mesa Port of Entry to Downtown San Diego via eastern Chula Vista. It will help minimize traffic congestion along a major transportation corridor and offer service to areas not currently served by rapid transit.
South Bay Rapid is part of a larger system of transit lines being designed and built by SANDAG in partnership with Caltrans and the region’s transit operators, Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), and North County Transit District (NCTD). The system will bring an additional choice to travelers in the region – providing a fast, comfortable service at high frequencies similar to the San Diego Trolley in order to make traveling on transit more convenient for riders.
South Bay Rapid will include 11 stations along the 21-mile route, connecting residents to employment and activity centers in downtown and the South Bay. South Bay Rapid will serve offices, shopping centers, recreational facilities, transit-oriented residential communities, schools, and Park & Ride lots, as well as the U.S.-Mexico port of entry at Otay Mesa.
South Bay Rapid will follow a long-planned transit route. Vehicles will travel north on SR 125 from the Otay Mesa border crossing, then west through eastern Chula Vista, head north on I-805 utilizing the carpool lanes, and then travel west on SR 94 into Downtown San Diego. South Bay Rapid will have direct connection to the carpool lanes on I-805 via a Direct Access Ramp (DAR) at East Palomar Street.
South Bay Rapid will improve travel times when compared to other forms of transit by utilizing dedicated transit only lanes, traffic signal priority, limited station stops, and real-time passenger information. Service along the corridor will be provided at 10-minute frequencies during peak commute hours, and every 15 minutes during the mid-day. Modern, comfortable vehicles will feature amenities such as improved riding quality, upgraded interiors, and Wi-Fi service.
South Bay Rapid is funded through TransNet, a regional voter-approved half-cent sales tax for local transportation projects. It will be operated by MTS and is expected to go into service in 2018. View Project Timeline.