MTS awarded $31.9 million for new LRVs and rail station

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has been awarded $31.9 million from the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP), the agency announced July 1, 2015.

The MTS is one of only 14 projects in the state funded by the State of California’s 2015 and 2016 cap-and-trade budget. A total of $224 million is being allocated for TIRCP.

MTS says the grant will be used to purchase eight new light rail vehicles (LRVs) to increase capacity on the MTS Trolley System, and for a new trolley station serving the 22-story San Diego Central Courthouse being built on C Street between State and Union streets. The proximity of the new station will provide convenient access to the 44,500 jobs expected to be within a one-half mile walk by 2020.

“This is a highly competitive program that required project proposals in a very short timeframe,” said MTS CEO Paul Jablonski. “The addition of the LRVs will ease overcrowding on the Trolley, making it more attractive and comfortable. And the new rail station will serve the expanding court complex, which is a major destination for employees and jurors.”

The Cap-and-Trade program was established via Assembly Bill 32 to collect fees from producers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The fees collected are then distributed to a variety of projects that will provide long-term reductions in GHG emissions. The addition of LRVs will increase capacity on the MTS Blue and Orange Lines, thereby encouraging more trips via public transit instead of by car, MTS says. The new downtown station will reduce train congestion at Sante Fe Depot, allowing for more trips on Trolley, COASTER and Amtrak from there, which can reduce trips in automobiles.

MTS expects to take delivery on the new LRVs and begin construction on the new station by late 2017.