San Diego MTS launches Copper Line trolley service

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) yesterday launched its new Copper Line light-rail trolley service, which will make trips more reliable for East County residents.

The primary purpose of the Copper Line is to reduce the impacts of the single-track segment between Gillespie Field and Santee, MTS officials said in a press release.

Serving four stations between the El Cajon Transit Center and Santee Trolley Station every 15 minutes most days of the year, the new Copper Line will replace the current Green and Orange Line services north of El Cajon. This allows trolleys to avoid a single-track segment that frequently causes delays and missed transfers for East County passengers.

Approximately 8% of passenger trips on the Green Line are expected to transfer to or from the Copper Line, MTS officials said. MTS anticipates Green Line on-time performance will improve.