BajaNomad

New Rapid Transit Bus Service to Otay Border

wilderone - 1-28-2019 at 08:10 AM

Starting January 27, 2019:

"South Bay Rapid 225 began transporting riders on Sunday from the East Palomar Transit Station at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry to Ash and Union streets in the heart of downtown San Diego.

Buses travel the 26-mile route northbound on Interstate 805 via the HOV lane then onto State Route 94, which will take riders into downtown for $2.50 each way." [Senior fare is less.]

Another travel option to consider. There is also the MTS 905 Express bus that you find at the Iris Trolley Station (blue line) that also goes to the Otay Port of Entry. Schedule says takes 25 minutes to the border. To get to/from the airport, I understand there is a blue and white bus local transport (instead of a taxi) to choose from. I may just go for a ride on the new route soon to learn details first-hand. Letcha know.

chippy - 1-28-2019 at 08:49 AM

Is there a time schedule somewhere for the 225?

wilderone - 1-28-2019 at 01:53 PM

Should be online. Roughly Mon-Fri every 15 min. begin 5:30 am to 11:00 pm. Sat/Sun - every 1/2 hr - 6:00 am from downtown to 10:40 pm.
So I took a trial run. First, in spite of the quoted information in my first post, the 225 does NOT pick up passengers at the Union/Ash St. location. The first (or last) stop is on Kettner Blvd. adjacent to the Santa Fe train depot. (That is also a trolley stop, and also where the CBX van picks up.) The fare is $2.50 ($1.25 for seniors). The 225 had a pick-up point at the City College trolley/bus stop on Broadway/Park Blvd. downtown, and the 992 Airport bus also stops at the City College trolley/bus stop.
From Bdwy/Park (City College trolley stop) bus stop to the last stop at Otay Transit Ctr it took 50 minutes, and was right on time. After that, I walked about 100 yards to the border gate along an uncrowded smooth sidewalk. I did not cross the border, but after inquiry, a guy told me that just about another block, one could get a taxi [e.g. to the TJ airport].
All in all, it was a pleasant journey, with a fraction of the people at the border crossing and milling around (like 15).
FYI, there is a bathroom at the 7-11 adjacent to the Transit Center, and a cambio exchange inside. I did buy some pesos at $18.76 exchange rate.
Good to go for my Huatulco/Oaxaca trip next month - whoopee!
PS: My quoted material also states that the E. Palomar Transit Station is at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. It's not of course. There is a bus stop in the middle of the route at E. Palomar however.

[Edited on 1-29-2019 by wilderone]

[Edited on 1-29-2019 by wilderone]

fishbuck - 1-28-2019 at 02:28 PM

This seems good. Who uses this bus. What is the purpose?

chippy - 1-28-2019 at 02:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
Should be online. Roughly Mon-Fri every 15 min. begin 5:30 am to 11:00 pm. Sat/Sun - every 1/2 hr - 6:00 am from downtown to 10:40 pm.
So I took a trial run. First, in spite of the quoted information in my first post, the 225 does NOT pick up passengers at the Union/Ash St. location. The first (or last) stop is on Kettner Blvd. adjacent to the Santa Fe train depot. (That is also a trolley stop, and also where the CBX van picks up.) The fare is $2.50 ($1.25 for seniors). The 225 had a pick-up point at the City College trolley/bus stop on Broadway downtown, and the 992 Airport bus also stops at the City College trolley/bus stop.
From City College to the last stop at Otay Transit Ctr it took 50 minutes, and was right on time. After that, I walked about 100 yards to the border gate along an uncrowded smooth sidewalk. I did not cross the border, but after inquiry, a guy told me that just about another block, one could get a taxi [e.g. to the TJ airport].
All in all, it was a pleasant journey, with a fraction of the people at the border crossing and milling around (like 15).
FYI, there is a bathroom at the 7-11 adjacent to the Transit Center, and a cambio exchange inside. I did buy some pesos at $18.76 exchange rate.
Good to go for my Hualtuco/Oaxaca trip next month - whoopee!
PS: My quoted material also states that the E. Palomar Transit Station is at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. It's not of course. There is a bus stop in the middle of the route at E. Palomar however.



Thanks for that.

wilderone - 1-28-2019 at 04:54 PM

This route goes through Otay Ranch developments, Eastlake, past a couple shopping centers (fast freeway before and after this route through high density housing neighborhoods - and still building). It is the fast bus to downtown San Diego from that area for people who work there and go to school at City College, and also, is now an inexpensive, reliable way to get to the SD Airport or train station. The other buses that go to the Otay Transit Center originate at the Iris St. Trolley Station, so to get downtown you'd have to also take a trolley. Part of the route is also a toll road, so if you had a bus pass, wouldn't need the Fastrak pass or pay per trip.

Timinator - 1-29-2019 at 09:03 AM

Good time to be going to Huatulco/Oaxaca! My wife and I have a place just 1.5 hrs up the coast from there in Puerto Escondido. Hope you can drive up the coast to Puerto, or at least up to Agua Blanca. Pretty area.

chippy - 1-29-2019 at 10:22 AM

Good advice from Timinator. If you drive up there don´t miss the Puerto Angel/Zipolite/Mazunte loop.

fishbuck - 1-29-2019 at 10:32 AM

Thanks

tjsue - 1-29-2019 at 10:42 AM

https://www.sdmts.com/sites/default/files/attachments/225_1....

wilderone - 1-29-2019 at 11:25 AM

I won't have a car - I understand there are collectivos and local buses to get to outlying burbs. I'll have 5 days: Copalita ruins (been there, but good bird watching), maybe the 7 bay boat tour; a day for water taxi and to a bay for snorkeling, a tour to Pluma Hidalgo coffee plantation and ridge hike; maybe collectivo to Barra Copalita (hiking along the river and birds?, maybe body surfing or wave rafting at La Bocana beach; another water taxi to a snorkeling bay (!). Evenings to wind down, trinket shop, wine/beer/shrimp/music. I'll see how it plays out vis a vis collectivo schedules. Any other suggestions?

chippy - 1-29-2019 at 01:07 PM

Sounds like you have enough on your plate for a 5 dayer.

wilderone - 1-29-2019 at 07:24 PM

Well, I'll have 4 days in Oaxaca too - Monte Alban, Mitla, rug weavers, mescal factory, museums, open market.