SAN DIEGO–Residents, workers, and students in the San Diego region will soon have a faster, more efficient, and more comfortable way to travel between San Diego State University and Downtown San Diego, via Park and El Cajon boulevards. Rapid 215 (Mid-City Rapid) will begin service on October 12, and rides will be free for everyone that day.
Dignitaries cut the ribbon on the $44 million project at a ceremony held today at the transit-only lanes at Park Boulevard and University Avenue. The dedicated guideway in the center median of Park Boulevard extends from University Avenue to El Cajon Boulevard, and is the first facility of its kind built in the City of San Diego.
As part of the project, a fleet of 18 new, natural gas-powered vehicles will serve the 10-mile route. Nine pairs of new stations were built with customized shelters, next vehicle arrival signs, information kiosks, and curb pop-outs that allow buses to easily merge back into traffic. Intersections near the stations now have wider sidewalks and curb ramps to improve access. Other improvements include transit signal priority, street lights, and landscaping.
“Rapid 215 represents another milestone in fulfilling a long-standing promise made to voters under the TransNet half-cent sales tax to improve transit service,” SANDAG Chair and Santee Councilmember Jack Dale said. “It’s also a testament to the tremendous progress we are making to create a regionwide Rapid transit network. We launched our first Rapid line in June, and we are adding two this month. We expect to break ground on a fourth Rapidproject next year.”
The Rapid network of services will expand again on Monday, Oct. 13, with the introduction of Rapid 237, which travels weekdays between Rancho Bernardo and UC San Diego. (Rides on this route will be free on Monday.) The new Rapid routes join Rapid 235 and Rapid Express 280 and 290, which have been operating in the I-15 corridor since June. Together with other MTS bus and Trolley routes, the Rapid network provides new transportation choices for residents all over San Diego County.
”Our region should be proud that we have planned ahead and are bringing on line a new level of service that helps connect people more effectively and helps us achieve regional mobility and air quality goals,” said Harry Mathis, Chair of the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Board. “The key to getting people out of their cars is to have public transportation with high levels of frequency and fast service, all day long and every day of the week.”
“Rapid 215 is a much-needed improvement for one of San Diego’s key transit corridors,” Mayor Kevin Faulconer said. “As many of you know, I’ve put a renewed emphasis on neighborhood repairs and improving the city’s infrastructure to help create One San Diego. We have a lot of work to do in the coming years, but I believe we are finally heading in the right direction to help provide better public infrastructure and opportunities for all.”
A free community celebration will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, at Teralta Park at Orange Avenue and 40th Street to mark the start of service. Scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the event will feature free test rides on the new Rapid vehicles, and food and fun for all ages – including face painting and a bounce house. Attendees will be able to pick up free ride coupons to try Rapid service during the month of October. The first 200 event attendees will receive a free Rapidt-shirt.
Rapid 215 connects with Rapid 235, enabling people to easily get to job centers along the I-15 corridor. The Boulevard Transit Plaza at El Cajon Boulevard and I-15 serves as a transfer point between the two routes. This connection provides easy access between Mid-City and stops in Kearny Mesa, Mira Mesa, Sabre Springs, Rancho Bernardo, Del Lago, and Escondido.
The route serves communities in San Diego, including North Park, City Heights, and the College Area, as well as key destinations, such as Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, Naval Hospital, City College, Horton Plaza, and Santa Fe Depot. The service will operate seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. It will run every 10 minutes during weekday rush hours, every 15 minutes during most non-rush hours and weekends, and every 30 minutes after hours on weekdays and weekends.
Rapid 215 will be $2.25 for a one-way fare, or $5 for a 1-Day Pass on Compass Card ($7 without a Compass Card) which provides unlimited rides onRapid routes, MTS bus and Trolley, and NCTD Breeze and Sprinter services. A monthly or 30-Day Pass is $72 for adults; $36 for youth; and $18 for seniors (60+), disabled, and those on Medicare.
