San Diego Trolley - The History of How it All Began

[@randysvids4774]

I am glad I was able to video my experience riding the trolley down to San Ysidro. Very smooth ride and no issues at all

[@morrisghill]

Well made video, but it omitted the one thing I most remember from the earliest days. The first cars were ordered without air conditioning. Worse, their side windows were sealed shut except for small vent windows at the top. After public complaints about the "streetcar named perspire" those first cars were retrofitted with a/c.

[@arthurlight9393]

my first ride on the Trolley was on December 1991 from San Ysidro to Palomar Streeth,one of my fondest memories,so,thanks for this little history of the MTS Trolley

[@diannaippolito1571]

This is very informative and well done. San Diego history is so interesting. So wish we still had a trolly that went all over town like before. Nice voiceover by the way!!

[@1958zed]

Thanks for this comprehensive overview of the San Diego Trolley system and its history. I use the Blue Line extension to get to the VA hospital in La Jolla regularly, and it's been a great way to avoid the congestion on I-5. I know that there has been talk of expanding the system, adding a Purple Line that runs south along I-805. I have mixed feelings on that, On the one hand, it will help get more people on the trolley, but on the other hand, I sense that it would be competing with the Blue Line running virtually parallel to it just a few miles away. Instead (or in addition to), what I would really like to see is a trolley line run from the Otay Mesa border crossing up the CA 125 corridor to connect with the Orange and Green Lines in La Mesa. There has been an explosion of growth in east Chula Vista, and the only way to get to downtown is to ride the Rapid 225 bus (which gets stuck in traffic on the I-805). Don't get me wrong, I used the Rapid 225 daily to get to City College and then the #7 or Rapid 215 to my job in Balboa Park, and it was great. A trolley would be better.

[@danielmkubacki]

This is so cool! I wnat to ride it. Great video!

[@TheRandCrews]

even tho the San Diego Trolley came first, it would’ve been interesting if they followed suit like Edmonton and Calgary and had their LRT be high floor vehicles due to using the same Siemens U2 vehicles. would’ve been a way roomier and accessible vehicle with level boarding just like the current low floor vehicles.

[@marka5478]

I don't believe that going with high platforms would have been acceptable, especially on costs. Jim Mills was quoted once as saying, "We built a cheap railroad, and it worked". High platforms would have made freight operations difficult, especially in regards to handling large dimensional loads.

[@felixpgames9639]

It is interesting to see how the American counterpart U2 vehicles are being used! Tho I will say for me personally it still would seem the most right for that type of system to have high floor. More space for passengers and more accessible generally. Cargo can be accommodated but it’s all about the planning!

[@dylanwinn3]

​@@marka5478they could do retractable platform extensions like the sprinter

[@TigerDominic-uh1dv]

Great Job San Diego ❤It I Rode The Lines 😊

[@TheTrolleydude]

Very well done

[@marka5478]

I have read Gina Holle's book on the San Diego LRT.

[@derekdestep40]

I went to Navy A school. November 1981 to march 1982 at NTC San Diego 😊 had to catch bus outside gate NTC catch Trolley downtown

[@AeroBennett855]

I have been to San Diego but I have never tried their light rail

[@derekdestep40]

Honolulu rail train was voted down in 70s