Trolley in Transition: San Diego's Pioneering LRT is Becoming Technically Advanced, But It's Also Aging and Will Require Significant Investment Within the Next Few Years

This article reviews the state of the San Diego Trolley, which celebrates its 25th anniversary of revenue service in 2006. The system has evolved from a simple, 16-mile, mostly single-track line from downtown San Diego south to the Mexican border at San Ysidro into a more conventional and technologically sophisticated light rail system that ranges over 54.6 route miles and continues to expand. Low operating costs in the beginning achieved a maximum fare-box return of more than 90 percent. It has fallen to 58 percent since then. Single-track sections were doubled and eight new segments were opened. The fleet now consists of 134, including 71 U2s, 52 SD100s, and 11 S70s--all manufactured by Siemens. Nevertheless, Peter Tereschuck, President and General Manager of the San Diego Trolley, says more S70s are needed and many of the U2s need to be overhauled. Stations and right-of-ways need improvements, as does some of the track. One more Trolley extension is planned.