BajaNomad - Downtown SD to SY crossing

Downtown SD to SY crossing

beachbum1A - 4-28-2011 at 09:24 AM

OK, I have some friends who thinking about taking the train from Orange County to San Diego. From that point, what conveyance can they take to get them to the SY border crossing? The intent is that I will pick them up at the border and bring them down to Ensenada for their visit, then reverse the procedure when it's time for them to return home.
Any hints or suggestions?
Thanks.

DianaT - 4-28-2011 at 09:30 AM

The San Diego Trolley goes right to the SY border----really easy.

bajadock - 4-28-2011 at 10:46 AM

BB1A,
Long time no see.
I had a friend do the OC train to SD trolley trip in 2008.

They exit train at Santa Fe Station in San Diego. Buy a ticket for the Blue Line trolley to SY/TJ.

Figger out an obvious meeting spot in TJ. Or, if they are more adventurous, take the bus from TJ to Ensenada. cheers

elgatoloco - 4-28-2011 at 10:55 AM

There is a reason locals call it the 'tijuana trolley'.

Woooosh - 4-28-2011 at 11:04 AM

I did the trolley thing from the Sana Fe train station to San Ysidro a month or so ago. You just walk across the street from the train station, buy a ticket from the machine and hop on the trolley. I'm pretty sure I was the only blond guy on the packed-full trolley ride. I opted to walk across the pedestrian bridge into TJ and meet my ride there. Wasn't really sure where to go once I got to the end of the line in San Ysidro- so I just followed all the Mexicans heading home to TJ...

beachbum1A - 4-30-2011 at 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
I did the trolley thing from the Sana Fe train station to San Ysidro a month or so ago. You just walk across the street from the train station, buy a ticket from the machine and hop on the trolley. I'm pretty sure I was the only blond guy on the packed-full trolley ride. I opted to walk across the pedestrian bridge into TJ and meet my ride there. Wasn't really sure where to go once I got to the end of the line in San Ysidro- so I just followed all the Mexicans heading home to TJ...

Thanks for the trolly info everyone, and that part will seem easy enough for newies I'm sure. Now comes the question of where to meet them once they walk across the pedestrian bridge and are into MX? OR....would it be easier for me to cross over into CA using my SENTRI and then meet them where the trolly drops everyone off (where ever that might be?)

DENNIS - 4-30-2011 at 07:59 AM

Bruce.....the most practical thing for them to do would be, go through the border into the area between the turnstiles, exit the area and ask a cab driver [there will be many] where the ABC bus station is. It's within 100 yards away.
Have them take the Ensenada bus all the way down and pick them up at the local bus station.

If they have tons of bags, that may not work so well.

If that method appeals to you, get ahold of me and I'll give you details.

BajaBlanca - 4-30-2011 at 08:59 AM

or meet them in san ysidro at the fast food restaurant (I think it is BURGER KING.) It has a big parking lot - you can go inside and read a paper with a cup of coffee til they arrive ...

or maybe they can fly into TJ and then you meet them at the airport ?

It is easy to take the bus to Ensenada too - I am pretty sure they have one leaving once an hour if not more often. and it is a very short walk to the station.

beachbum1A - 5-1-2011 at 06:41 AM

Excellent suggestions. Thanks!

Brian L - 5-1-2011 at 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by beachbum1A

Quote:

With SENTRI, that is what I would recommend. There is a McDonalds next to the station to meet at. Parking behind that for cheap.

DENNIS - 5-1-2011 at 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian L
With SENTRI, that is what I would recommend. There is a McDonalds next to the station to meet at. Parking behind that for cheap.

Or....if you've crossed the border, meet them one stop back at the Beyer Trolley Station, avoiding the rat-race of the end of the line.
Then....go to duty-free and load up on mass quantities of quality spirits for cheap.

Or......

beachbum1A - 5-2-2011 at 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian L
With SENTRI, that is what I would recommend. There is a McDonalds next to the station to meet at. Parking behind that for cheap.

Or....if you've crossed the border, meet them one stop back at the Beyer Trolley Station, avoiding the rat-race of the end of the line.

Or......

Geez Dennis, you think of everything - as always!

[Edited on 5-2-2011 by beachbum1A]

DENNIS - 5-2-2011 at 09:11 AM

Sounds as though you got on something other than the Blue Line and just didn't realize it. As often as I've used the Trolley to go south, I'm absolutely positive there's no limited schedule for the south-bound train.

elgatoloco - 5-2-2011 at 09:39 AM

http://www.sdmts.com/trolleyrenewal.asp

Some stations closed for work on weekends thru mid May.

For those who are not aware there is this thing on the internets called GOOGLE, check it out. :saint:

No worries.

Woooosh - 5-2-2011 at 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Sounds as though you got on something other than the Blue Line and just didn't realize it. As often as I've used the Trolley to go south, I'm absolutely positive there's no limited schedule for the south-bound train.

Wish I had known it was a weekend. There is a different schedule. And yes, the southbound Blue trolley line for San Ysidro leaves the station headed north- which is def. counterintuitive and caught me off-guard as well. I had to check the San Ysidro signs a couple times and even crossed the tracks to wait on the wrong side for a while. Quite a tour you had but that $5 ticket is good all day at least. Not a good tour- but most cities mass transit lines have the same sad view.

DENNIS - 5-2-2011 at 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
And yes, the southbound Blue trolley line for San Ysidro leaves the station headed north- which is def. counterintuitive and caught me off-guard as well.

Yes, it does. It also leaves going south. I mean....it goes back and forth from SY to, well...the north end used to be in Mission Valley, but it may have extended. It's up there somewhere.
Anyway...when the trolley gets to the end of it's run, the driver get's out of the c-ckpit and walks back to the other end and starts all over again in the opposite direction.

Could it be that all this has changed?

elgatoloco - 5-2-2011 at 12:16 PM

Construction Calendar

Regular Trolley service will operate until 9 p.m. on Fridays. After 9 p.m. on Friday, and all day on Saturday and Sunday, MTS will operate the shuttle bus service. Please note, construction may change without notice.

Weekend
No Trolley Service
Trolley Shuttle
(Bus)
Trolley Express
(Bus)

April 29 - May 1

(See map below)
Barrio Logan

Harborside

Pacific Fleet

8th Street

24th Street
12th & Imperial

Barrio Logan

Harborside

Pacific Fleet

8th Street

24th Street

E Street
12th & Imperial

E Street

May 6 - 8

(See map below)
Barrio Logan

Harborside

Pacific Fleet

8th Street

24th Street
12th & Imperial

Barrio Logan

Harborside

Pacific Fleet

8th Street

24th Street

E Street
12th & Imperial

E Street

May 13 - 15

(See map below)
Barrio Logan

Harborside

Pacific Fleet

8th Street

24th Street
12th & Imperial

Barrio Logan

Harborside

Pacific Fleet

8th Street

24th Street

E Street
12th & Imperial

E Street

Stations Closed for Trolley Renewal

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trolley Renewal Calendar

(click on image to view larger)
Future Map of MTS Trolley System

(click on image to view larger)

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Frequently Asked Questions

How will riders be affected?

MTS is working to minimize the impact on riders, but with station and track closures necessary to complete construction, riders will have to adjust their travels. The majority of the closures and need for bus bridges will happen on the weekend. MTS will supply bus bridges when stations are closed, and will notify riders through station announcements, a telephone hotline, station signage, and this website. MTS recommends staying up to date on construction closures.

Why do this project now?

The rails and equipment on the Blue Line will be 30 years old in 2011, and have far exceeded the original expected use. MTS is beginning the project now in order to avoid delays and breakdowns in the future. Also, the installation of additional rail crossovers between stations will allow MTS to provide service during temporary delays, ensuring smooth riding in the future.

How is this project funded?

The funding sources for this project are TransNet II, California Proposition 1B bonds, and the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. This money comes to MTS designated for capital improvements to the system and cannot be used for day-to-day operations.

Why do we need low-floor Trolley cars?

As part of this project, MTS purchased 57 ultra-short, low-floor light rail vehicles from Siemens Transportation Systems, Inc. The vehicles, which were purchased for $205.2 million, will be manufactured in Sacramento, California. The first of these vehicles is expected in late 2011.

Low-floor Trolley cars offer a significant advantage over high-floor vehicles. Since the floor of the low-floor cars is level with the station platform, boarding and exit times are reduced for all riders. The low floor also provides enhanced ADA accessibility and eliminates the need for wheelchair lifts.

The new low-floor vehicles will be 81 feet in length, which is nine feet shorter than the 11 S-70 low-floor vehicles that MTS currently uses on the Green Line. The shorter length will enable the new vehicles to be used on C Street in Downtown San Diego without blocking intersections. This will allow the Green Line to come downtown, terminating at 12th and Imperial Transit Center and eliminating the need to transfer at the Old Town Transit Center.

When will we see new low-floor Trolley cars?

The vehicles are set to be on the Green Line in January 2012, the Orange Line in July 2012, and the Blue Line in 2013. This schedule is due to construction on the lines.

J.P. - 5-4-2011 at 08:26 AM

My daughter catches a bus in downtown L.A. that drops her off in Ensenada it's a private bus line not Greyhound or A.B.C.

beachbum1A - 5-11-2011 at 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by J.P.
My daughter catches a bus in downtown L.A. that drops her off in Ensenada it's a private bus line not Greyhound or A.B.C.

You're serious? This is the first time that this has been mentioned. Where can some details be found? Oh I know....Google! LOL

MitchMan - 5-12-2011 at 10:18 AM

Is there any cheap overnight, secure, extended stay parking in San Ysidro or at San Diego Santa Fe train station?

DENNIS - 5-12-2011 at 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MitchMan
Is there any cheap overnight, secure, extended stay parking in San Ysidro or at San Diego Santa Fe train station?

Parking, yes. Cheap, no......there's expensive underground parking at America Plaza, the trolly station across from Sante Fe Station. There's more, but I'm not exactly sure where. There's parking all over downtown San Diego.
I wouldn't leave a car in San Ysidro even if it was guarded by the famous Navy Seals.