PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN SAN DIEGO

This article discusses San Diego's complexly structured transit system and its recent successes. In spite of a low ridership base and an automobile-oriented environment, patronage has increased steadily (34%) over the past five years to 40.4 million trips per year. Miles of service have increased by 21%, and operating costs have remained almost constant allowing an overall farebox recovery rate of 46.5%. The background of the city's transportation is briefly reviewed. Transit in San Diego County is organized under 2 public agencies. The larger of these, the Metropolitan Transit Development Board (MTDB) is a federation of 20 different bus, light rail, and dial-a-ride operators. The largest operator, San Diego Transit, serves 28 routes with 281 buses. The second largest operator is San Diego Trolley Incorporated. Besides the fixed route operations, dial-a-ride systems provide public door-to-door local services in 4 suburban cities. North County Transit District (NCTD) is responsible for transit in the area north of San Diego. Rural services are operated by the County. Although transit seems to play a major role in this city, in comparison with other cities, fewer people use transit than would be expected. The reasons are attributed to many factors of which 3 stand out: terrain, low service levels; and the influence of the automobile.