MTS unanimously approves addition of new ‘Copper Line’ to Trolley system

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The Metropolitan Transit System is officially moving forward with the new “Copper Line” Trolley alignment for its East County service.

On Thursday, the transit agency’s Board of Directors unanimously voted in favor of the change, which was proposed earlier this year as a possible solution to longstanding reliability issues stemming from the stretch of track between the Gillespie Airport and Santee stops.

Only one track exists for both directions of travel through the corridor, frequently causing delays throughout the whole Trolley network as the Green and Orange lines’ trains wait for each other to pass. To offset these holdups, MTS added service has often been abruptly shortened in the area.

The future Copper Line hopes to end this fickleness to transit through East County — and the system at large — by taking over the responsibility of shuttling passengers from Santee to El Cajon, allowing the Orange and Green lines to avoid the one-lane track all together.

According to MTS, the Copper Line will serve four stations — El Cajon Transit Center, Arnele Avenue, Gillespie Field and Santee — and run every 15 minutes for most of the day. It will also allow the Green Line to extend its service at night and on Sundays.

The new connector would also be a shorter train, reducing wait times and traffic at rail intersections along Cuyamaca Street in Santee.

A map of the change to MTS’ Trolley service can be found below.

“Continuing to improve MTS’s reliability in East County is essential for riders who depend on timely service,” MTS Board Vice Chair and El Cajon Councilmember Steve Goble said in a statement on Thursday. “The Copper Line is a great example of an efficient and effective solution that will bring long-term benefits to East County communities and beyond.”

MTS officials say the new connector is expected to be up and running as early as the fall. When it begins operating, it is anticipated that only 8% of passenger trips will be impacted by transfers to or from the connector.

“Reliability of service and on-time performance are two key components of a dependable transit system, and the Copper Line is a great example of this,” MTS Board Chair and San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn said in a statement on Thursday.

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