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Copper Line (San Diego Trolley)

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Copper Line
East County Connector
Trolley at Santee
Overview
OwnerSan Diego Metropolitan Transit System
LocaleSan Diego, California
Termini
Stations4[1]
Websitesdmts.com/inside-mts/current-projects/copper-line-east-county-connector
Service
TypeLight rail
SystemSan Diego Trolley
Operator(s)San Diego Trolley, Inc.
Rolling stockSingle-car trains[2][3]
History
OpenedSeptember 29, 2024[4]
Technical
Line length3.8 mi (6.1 km)[1]
Number of tracks2 (El Cajon–Gillespie Field)
1 (Gillespie Field–Santee)
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead line, 600 V DC
Operating speed55 mph (89 km/h) (max)
Route map
Map Copper Line highlighted in copper
Legend
 Santee
California 52.svg SR 52
 Gillespie Field
Arnele Avenue
I-8 (1961).svg I-8
 El Cajon
Green Line
to 12th & Imperial
Orange Line
to Courthouse
Multiple
services
Handicapped/disabled access
All stations
are accessible
This diagram:

The Copper Line, officially the Copper Line–East County Connector,[2] is a light rail line in the San Diego Trolley system, operated by San Diego Trolley, Inc. an operating division of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS). Located in East County, San Diego, it operates as a shuttle between El Cajon Transit Center and Santee station.

MTS created the Copper Line because the section of the line between Gillespie Field station and Santee has a single track, which has been the source of delays that impact both the Green and Orange lines. The Copper Line aims to alleviate these issues by creating a dedicated shuttle service disconnected from the larger Green and Orange lines.

History

Background

The tracks between El Cajon and Santee originally opened on July 26, 1995, as part of the fourth extension of the Orange Line (known as the "East Line" until 1997).[5][6] Between Gillespie Field station and Santee Town Center, the line is single tracked and street running in the median strip of Cuyamaca Street.[7]

This single-tracked section has caused operational issues for the San Diego Trolley, which became worse after the opening of the Green Line in 2005, which shared the tracks between Santee and El Cajon with the Orange Line.[8] Since that time, SDMTS has tried several different service patterns to attempt to lessen the operational issues, including truncating the Orange Line at various stations in the area.[9][10] SDMTS reports that Green Line trains are often unable to complete their route to Santee and are turned around at Gillespie field at least once a day. In addition, during periods of heavy ridership such as San Diego Comic-Con, Green Line trolley service between Gillespie Field and Santee is replaced with a shuttle. The trolley also adds to congestion in the Santee area as the three-car trains (necessary on other sections of the line) operate with few passengers and stop traffic as they slowly traverse Cuyamaca Street.[2][11]

Copper Line proposal

To address these issues, starting in the early 2020s, the MTS began planning to add a third track and extending a platform at the El Cajon Transit Center, to allow shuttle trains to terminate there.[12] The MTS believes that Copper Line shuttle trains will alleviate these issues by creating a dedicated shuttle service disconnected from the larger Green and Orange lines. The MTS says that these shorter trains will also improve roadway traffic, since drivers at the railroad crossings on Mission Gorge Road and Cuyamaca Street will have shorter wait times as the single-car Copper Line trains pass.[2][11][13][3][14]

The MTS accepted written public comments about this proposal until 1:00 PM on June 19, 2024 for potential approval at its June 20, 2024 meeting.[2][11] MTS stated that Copper Line service could begin as soon as September 1, 2024, running once every 15 minutes from 5:00 AM until midnight.[2][11]

Approval of the Copper Line

Although the promised June 20 public hearing was held, the MTS Board of Directors was prevented from approving the Copper Line because under federal law, a service equity analysis needed to be redone. Although the original analysis concluded that the Copper Line would not negatively effect people of color or low-income residents, the MTS conceded at the meeting that they needed more analysis.[15]

On July 18, 2024, the MTS board of directors unanimously approved to implement the Copper Line.[16][14][17] In preparation for the opening of the Copper Line, the MTS is also making safety approvements to the El Cajon Transit Center, including the addition of new personnel, support staff, and signs.[18]

The MTS has stated that the new Copper Line will save the MTS $1 million in operational costs,[14][19][20] and although only 8% of trolley trips will be affected by this service change,[17] it will improve the ability of the Green and Orange Lines to run on time.[17][18]

As of August 31, 2024, the MTS updated their Copper Line webpage to show a planned implementation date for the Copper Line as September 29, 2024.[21] The line would later begin operating that day.[4]

Stations

See also: List of San Diego Trolley stations
Station Location Connections
Santee Santee
Gillespie Field
  • Car parking Park and ride: 175 spaces
Arnele Avenue El Cajon
El Cajon

Notes

  1. ^ Route 833 serves Arnele Avenue station only in the Southbound direction[22]

References

  1. ^ a b "San Diego Trolley, Inc" (PDF). San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. February 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 21, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Copper Line – East County Connector". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. April 29, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "San Diego MTS approves plans to open Copper Line East County Connector in Sep 2024". www.tam-america.com. July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Vigil, Jennifer (September 29, 2024). "MTS Copper Line Trolley Service Begins Sunday Between El Cajon, Santee". Times of San Diego. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  5. ^ "History". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. May 22, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2024. JULY 26, 1995 – EL CAJON TRANSIT – Fourth East (Orange) Line segment opens between El Cajon Transit Center and Santee Town Center.
  6. ^ "History". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. May 22, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2024. 1997 – BLUE LINE EXTENDS [...] MTDB renames South Line to Blue Line and East Line to Orange Line along with adding identification numbers for each Trolley Station.
  7. ^ "East extension means changes in routes, timetables". U-T San Diego. July 3, 2005. Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  8. ^ "MTS hopes new 'Copper Line' can improve trolley system's reliability". KPBS Public Media. May 7, 2024.
  9. ^ "September 2, 2012 Service Changes. Major Bus and Trolley Service Changes". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. Archived from the original on April 30, 2015.
  10. ^ "April 29, 2018 Trolley Changes". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. April 11, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2024. The Orange Line will also be extended in El Cajon to Arnele Avenue Station.
  11. ^ a b c d "San Diego MTS looking at adding new 'Copper Line' to Trolley system". FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  12. ^ "Board of Directors – DRAFT MINUTES" (PDF). San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. May 12, 2022.
  13. ^ "San Diego tendría una nueva línea del Trolley: conoce la Copper Line" [San Diego would have a new Trolley line: meet the Copper Line]. SanDiegoRed (in Spanish). May 10, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c "MTS board approves Copper Line trolley between Santee and El Cajon". NBC 7 San Diego. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  15. ^ Garrick, David (June 23, 2024). "New copper line trolley would bring major changes to East County transit". The San Diego Union-Tribune.
  16. ^ "MTS Board Gives Green Light to New Copper Line Trolley; Sets Stage for Better System Reliability". MTS. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  17. ^ a b c Dawson, Danielle (July 19, 2024). "MTS unanimously approves addition of new 'Copper Line' to Trolley system". FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Rail News – San Diego MTS OKs new Copper Line Trolley. For Railroad Career Professionals". Progressive Railroading. July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  19. ^ "San Diego MTS Board approves implementing new Copper Line Trolly Line segment". Mass Transit. July 19, 2024.
  20. ^ Schulz, Sam (July 19, 2024). "New Copper Line OK'd for East County to help ease trolley delays". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  21. ^ "Copper Line – East County Connector". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  22. ^ "833" (PDF). www.sdmts.com. San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
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