United States Congressman Bob Filner presented a ceremonial check of $400,000, the second installment of a $900,000 federal transportation grant, to fund a major Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in the South Bay. The South Bay Transit First Project will provide residents of cities of Chula Vista, National City, and San Diego with fast, efficient, and high-quality transit between Otay Ranch in Eastern Chula Vista and downtown San Diego.

The South Bay Transit First project aims to achieve high-speed service along a 13-mile corridor that currently lacks a mass transit alternative. Using modern, enhanced trolley-on- wheels, passengers will travel in style and comfort along dedicated transit lanes, bypassing traffic congestion at key crowded intersections through the use of signal priority for transit.

Specifically, the BRT service will offer the commuting public faster and more reliable travel by using “transit priority” lanes, traffic signal improvements, limited station stops, and global positioning systems (GPS) to track each vehicle’s location. Station enhancements to provide a pleasant waiting environment include upgraded shelters, “real time” bus arrival information signs, level platforms to ease boarding, landscaping, and enhanced paving treatments.

Preliminary engineering and environmental work on Phase-1 of the project begins in September 2004 and is scheduled to be complete by December 2006. Final design studies will be undertaken over the next several years. Assuming funding availability, the Phase 1 Project could begin operations by 2010. The Phase 2 project would a post-2010 improvement. This key transportation connection is part of the proposed TransNet Expenditure plan slated for the voters in November 2004.

Project Manager: Jennifer Williamson
(619) 699-1959

(L-R) Bob Leiter, Land Use & Transportation Planning Director (SANDAG); National City Councilman and former SANDAG Chair, Ron Morrison; Solana Beach Mayor and SANDAG Transportation Committee Chair, Joe Kellejian; U.S. Congressman Bob Filner; Chula Vista Councilman and MTS Vice-Chair, Jerry Rindone; and MTS CEO Paul Jablonski