Copper Line (San Diego Trolley)

Copper Line–East County Connector

Company type	Light rail route
Industry	Public transportation
Founded	September 29, 2024 (2024-09-29)
Headquarters	San Diego , United States
Area served	East County, San Diego
Owner	San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS)
Parent	San Diego Trolley, Inc.

The Copper Line, formally known as the Copper Line–East County Connector, is a light rail route integrated into the San Diego Trolley network, managed by San Diego Trolley, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS). Operating within East County, San Diego, this line functions as a shuttle service linking El Cajon Transit Center and Santee station. It officially began operations on September 29, 2024, marking the latest expansion of the trolley system.

Among the five lines comprising the trolley network—alongside the Blue, Orange, Green, and the seasonal Silver—the Copper Line was created to resolve operational inefficiencies. A single-track section between Gillespie Field station and Santee had been causing delays that impacted both the Green and Orange lines. By introducing a dedicated shuttle, the Copper Line enhances service dependability and operational efficiency for passengers traveling in East County.

Background

The rail segment connecting El Cajon and Santee commenced service on July 26, 1995, as part of the fourth phase of the Orange Line expansion (previously known as the "East Line"). The stretch between Gillespie Field station and Santee Town Center is characterized by a single track situated within the median of Cuyamaca Street.

This single-track portion has historically presented operational difficulties for San Diego Trolley services, challenges that intensified following the launch of the Green Line in 2005, which shares this track segment with the Orange Line between Santee and El Cajon. To address these issues, SDMTS has made several service modifications, including terminating Orange Line trains at various stations. Green Line vehicles often do not complete their full route to Santee, frequently turning back at Gillespie Field during daily operations. During high-demand events such as San Diego Comic-Con, shuttle buses substitute Green Line trolleys between Gillespie Field and Santee. Moreover, slow-moving three-car trains operating here contribute to roadway delays in Santee despite relatively low ridership on this segment.

Copper Line proposal

In the early 2020s, MTS proposed adding a third track and extending platforms at El Cajon Transit Center to facilitate shuttle train turnarounds. The Copper Line shuttle was designed to operate independently from both Green and Orange lines to increase service reliability. MTS expects that deploying shorter, single-car trains will decrease wait times at railroad crossings along Mission Gorge Road and Cuyamaca Street, thereby alleviating traffic congestion in those areas.

Public feedback on this initiative was solicited until June 19, 2024, with MTS aiming for approval during its June 20 meeting. The agency projected that Copper Line operations could commence as early as September 1, 2024, providing service every 15 minutes from 5:00 AM until midnight.

Approval of the Copper Line

Although a public hearing took place on June 20, MTS postponed approval pending revisions to a federally required service equity analysis. Initial results indicated no negative impacts on low-income or minority populations; however, further review was necessary.

On July 18, 2024, the MTS Board unanimously authorized implementation of the Copper Line. Prior to its launch, safety enhancements at El Cajon Transit Center included additional staff presence and improved signage. The new line is projected to reduce annual operating expenses by $1 million and will affect only approximately 8% of trolley trips while boosting punctuality on both Green and Orange lines.

Copper Line timetables were published in August 2024, with service officially starting on September 29, 2024.

Stations

Station	Location	Connections
	Santee	Template:Bus icon MTS: Template:SDMTS route, Template:SDMTS route, Template:SDMTS route Template:Parking symbol Park and ride (availability varies)
		Template:Parking symbol Park and ride facility with 175 parking spaces
	El Cajon	Template:Bus icon MTS routes: 115, 833 Template:Parking symbol Park and ride lot offering 65 spaces
		Template:MTS icon Template:MTS icon Template:Bus icon MTS routes including 115, 815, 816, 833, 848, 864, 872, 874, 875, 888, 891, 892, and 894 Template:Rint Greyhound Lines Template:Rint Shuttle service to Sycuan Casino Template:Parking symbol Park and ride with capacity for 469 vehicles

External links

• Copper Line schedules