UC San Diego Blue Line Trolley Extension

On November 21, 2021, the UC San Diego Blue Line light rail extension opened and expanded the San Diego Trolley system from Downtown San Diego to the UTC Transit Center, serving nine new Trolley stations.

Opportunity

For 40 years, the San Diego Trolley has been creating new opportunities for people. And now, it is linking our most dynamic communities in San Diego. The Trolley’s UC San Diego Blue Line will go from the border with Mexico, through downtown and all the way to UTC. It connects people with opportunities for jobs, education, healthcare, shopping and entertainment. Take an awe-inspiring ride and experience all the opportunities for yourself.

View the Trolley schedule and connecting bus schedules:

Bus and Trolley Schedules

Approximate times between top destinations along the UC San Diego Blue Line include:

Route Trip Time
San Ysidro – UTC 1 hour 23 minutes
Chula Vista (H Street) – UTC 1 hour 7 minutes
Old Town – UTC 26 minutes
National City (8th Street) – UC San Diego 53 minutes
Downtown (Santa Fe Depot) – UC San Diego 29 minutes
Balboa Ave – UC San Diego 11 minutes

Better Bus Connections

MTS listened to the community through an extensive rider and public outreach effort between 2018-2021 to collect ideas about improving bus service to coincide with the UC San Diego Blue Line Trolley opening. As a result, MTS enhanced the existing bus network by modifying more than 30 bus route schedules to include better frequencies, better beach access, faster service and more! Click here to see all the November 2021 Service Changes and check your routes for updates. A few highlights include:

New access:

  • Route 8 (service to Mission Beach and Pacific Beach) will now serve Balboa Avenue Transit Center with increased frequency to every 15 minutes (previously 20 minutes)
  • Route 43 (new!) will operate every 15 minutes most days between Kearny Mesa and Balboa Avenue Transit Center. A quick transfer to Route 140 or Route 8 will get you to the sand in minutes!
  • Route 140 (new!) will operate every 15-30 minutes most of the day with direct access between the Balboa Avenue Transit Center and downtown La Jolla
  • Route 985 (new!) will operate weekdays during normal commute times every 15-20 minutes and will connect the UC San Diego Blue Line with the business parks off North Torrey Pines Road
  • Airport Shuttle (new!) – San Diego International Airport will begin a new electric bus shuttle route between the Old Town Transit Center and Terminals 1 & 2. Please visit san.org for more information

Bus Route Map

UCSD Blue Line Bus Network

Check out a larger version of the map here