Transit Briefs: Brightline, San Diego MTS, Metrolinx

San Diego MTS and Affirmed Housing have broken ground on a new five-story transit-oriented housing development featuring 124 studio and one-, two- and three-bedroom units reserved for households earning 30%-60% of the area median income. (Rendering Courtesy of Studio E Architects)

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger rail operator, has ordered revenue management software from Accelya. Also, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and Affirmed Housing have broken ground on a new transit-oriented housing development located at the Grantville Trolley Station; and Metrolinx is naming the 11-mile, 19-station Hurontario Light Rail Transit project as the Hazel McCallion Line.

Madrid, Spain-based Accelya will supply revenue management software, including inventory control and reporting tools, to Brightline, allowing it “to create a modern retailing experience where prices are dynamically adjusted according to real-time demand and willingness to pay.” The company reported that the software, used by more than 80 airlines, will be provided on the FLX Platform.

“Accelya will enable us to streamline our revenue management processes and work more efficiently, while at the same time continuously optimizing our revenue streams using real-time data integrations,” Brightline Director Pricing and Yield Sean Beason said.

San Diego MTS and Affirmed Housing have broken ground on a new five-story ShoreLINE building featuring 124 studio and one-, two- and three-bedroom units reserved for households earning 30%-60% of the area median income (AMI). Residents will have access to a 5,800-square-foot courtyard, outdoor gardens and gathering spaces. Designed to encourage pedestrian and bike activity, the new transit-oriented development will feature a 26-foot-wide walkway that leads to the main entrance and several paths around the building connecting to the trolley/bus station on Alvarado Canyon Road.

Affirmed Housing “leveraged various types of funding and credit sources for ShoreLINE’s development, including transit-oriented development funds from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD); project-based vouchers, [and] tax-exempt and taxable bonds issued by the San Diego Housing Commission; ground lease from MTS; and federal and state tax equity,” MTS reported. “Land use for the project site is regulated by the Navajo Community Plan, which was adopted in 2015 and encourages multifamily residential development to boost housing availability in the region. Although ShoreLINE’s plans follow the guidelines set forth in the plan and do not require discretionary planning approvals, Affirmed Housing still engaged the San Diego Development Services Department (DSD) in a preliminary review process to move the project forward. The site replaces an existing MTS parking lot, with ShoreLINE situated on the western half, and a separate, neighboring development, comprised of market-rate housing for students, Union Grantville, is located on the eastern side of the lot.”

ShoreLINE is part of a larger effort San Diego MTS is advancing to redevelop its top-tier park and ride locations into transit-oriented developments. Other properties MTS is in the process of redeveloping or actively looking to redevelop include:
• Palm Avenue Trolley Station: 390 units.
• Rancho Bernardo Transit Center: 100 estimated units.
• 12th & Imperial Transit Center: 500 estimated units.
• El Cajon Transit Center: 400 estimated units.
• E Street Transit Center: 170-390 estimated units.
• Beyer Boulevard Transit Center: 100 estimated units.

“ShoreLINE is a great example of MTS taking a leadership role to address the region’s housing shortage; build sustainable, affordable communities; and increase transit ridership,” said Nathan Fletcher, Chair of both the MTS Board and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “We appreciate the partnership with Affirmed Housing and look forward to seeing families thriving in this community for years to come.”

When the Hurontario Light Rail Transit project is completed and opens for service in fall 2024, it will be known as the Hazel McCallion Line, to commemorate the one of Canada’s longest-serving mayors. McCallion is a former Mississauga Mayor who held office from 1978 until 2014.

The project will link the GO Transit Lakeshore West Line Port Credit regional rail station in Mississauga with Brampton Gateway Terminal at Steeles Avenue (see map below). It also includes an OMS (operations, maintenance and storage) facility at Highway 407.

Similarly, the Eglinton Crosstown LRT project will open later this year as the TTC Line 5 Eglinton, according to Metrolinx.