If you’ve visited San Diego or lived there long enough, you’ve likely seen the red wagons that drive through downtown and the surrounding areas of San Diego. Known as the San Diego Trolley, these trains are a form of public transportation that is convenient and fun for those in the know. With the information below, you can also find out how the San Diego Trolley works and use it on your next sightseeing vacation or just use it to get around San Diego without fighting the city’s famous traffic.
What is the San Diego Trolley?
The San Diego Trolley is a light rail public transportation system that serves greater San Diego. It consists of three lines: Blue Line, Orange Line and Green Line, and is distinguished by its bright red and electric trains.
The history of the San Diego car
The light rail system began operating with the first line (blue) that runs from the south-central to the international border. The east (Orange) line began in 1986, extending to El Cajon in 1989, Bayside in 1990, and Santee in 1995. The Blue line was extended to Mission Valley in 1997, and in 2005, the line was extended to Grossmont Center and renamed the green Line.
How many San Diego streetcar stations are there?
There are more than 50 stations in the San Diego Trolley system. The main bus routes serve the main Trolley transit hubs and the downtown station is also adjacent to a San Diego Coaster stop.
Is there parking at all tram stations?
In the city center, there are paid parking lots near all stations. In suburban areas, most (but not all) have free parking available. There are also 18,000 spaces at Qualcomm Stadium, available during non-event days (Bonus tip: taking public transportation to Qualcomm Stadium on game days can also ease the headache of dealing with traffic and parking during game day).
How much does the San Diego streetcar cost?
Fares to ride the San Diego Trolley are self-service, which means you buy your tickets at kiosks. The one-way fare for adults is $ 2.50, there is no round-trip fare. Instead, single-day travel rates are $ 5 for unlimited rides. There are no gates or turnstiles to board the cars, but the traffic police patrol for a random fee inspection, so make sure you have valid tickets or they will drop you at the next stop.
Do people really use the car?
They certainly do, even in car-centric San Diego, and many people use it for their daily commute. On special event days, like Chargers or Padres games, the number of people riding the trolley can even reach 225,000 per day.
Is the San Diego Trolley wheelchair accessible?
Yes, it is wheelchair accessible. Older cars have wheelchair lifts. Newer cars, mostly on the Green Line, have ramps at ground level.
How often do the San Diego Trolleys run?
On all lines, the Trolleys run every 15 minutes, seven days a week. They run every 30 minutes late at night and on weekends in the morning and at night. Also, the blue line runs every 7 minutes during peak hours Monday through Friday.
