The SuperLoop is a circular transit system that serves the North University City area of San Diego. The SuperLoop recently celebrated its one-year anniversary; a highly successful first year as SuperLoop carried almost 900,000 riders. On September 5, 2010, the service will expand to serve La Jolla Colony. Future SuperLoop improvements will include priority traffic treatments such as signal prioritization and possibly special road markers that will allow SuperLoop vehicles to move through traffic more rapidly than traditional buses.
On June 15, 2009, an interim SuperLoop phase was launched.
These SuperLoop Routes 201 and 202 start service in the North University City area of San Diego and operate between University Towne Center and University of California, San Diego via Genesee Avenue, Nobel Drive, Regents Road, Gilman Drive, and Voigt Drive including Scripps Memorial and Thornton Hospitals.
Students with a UCSD I.D. and bus zone sticker ride free on the SuperLoop and other on-campus MTS bus routes!
The interim SuperLoop plan includes 11 bus stops in both directions. The service uses new low-emission, gasoline-electric hybrid SuperLoop buses. Service operates seven days a week, with buses running every ten minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes during non-peak hours. A one-way fare is $2.25. An all-day pass with unlimited transfers is $5. A Compass Card with a Regional, Premium, or COASTER pass is accepted.
SuperLoop Service Schedule - Effective September 6, 2009
Monday through Friday
5:45 a.m. to 7 a.m. Every 15 minutes
7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Every 10 minutes
10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Every 15 minutes
2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Every 10 minutes
5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Every 15 minutes
Weekends and Holiday
5:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. Every 15 minutes
View schedule and route information
Catching the SuperLoop
- The SuperLoop plan calls for the development of up to 17 stations along an approximately nine mile long route around the North University City / Golden Triangle area.
- SuperLoop stations will be an average half-mile apart.
- Vehicles will frequent stations an average of every 10 minutes during peak hours and 15 minutes during non-peak hours. Operating with low-emission, gasoline-hybrid technology, this type of smooth riding vehicle meets all clean-air standards and will comfortably accomodate 29 people in seats and offer plenty of standing room for additional riders.
- Each uniquely branded SuperLoop station will include a shelter, leaning rails and seating, lighting and 'next bus' electronic signage indicating the arrival of the next SuperLoop vehicle.
- Stations will be kept clean and maintained on a regular basis.
Timing
- Vehicles were delivered in spring 2009.
- Construction of the SuperLoop is slated to begin in winter 2010.
- Start of SuperLoop operation is targeted for winter 2011.
The SuperLoop project is funded in part by the TransNet local sales tax measure extended by over 67 percent of the region’s voters in November 2004. The project also is seeking federal funding to share the construction cost. Implementation is made possible through participation of the City of San Diego, MTS, NCTD, Caltrans, and UCSD.
What's New
August 2010. MTS, in coordination with SANDAG, has reevaluated transit service in the University City area in order to optimize service and reduce operating capital expenditures. On September 5, 2010, the Route 30 will be rerouted to run from UCSD, along La Jolla Village Drive, to the UTC Transit Center. The SuperLoop (Route 201 and 202) will expand to serve La Jolla Colony. September 2009. To answer questions from some residents in the Villa La Jolla Drive area about the SuperLoop operation, SANDAG completed a noise study of the interim operation using the new SuperLoop vehicles. This study concluded that SuperLoop operation is consistent with the findings in the 2007 environmental review; the SuperLoop project does not result in significant noise impacts.
In additional to this noise study, SANDAG and MTS worked with the hybrid system manufacturer for the SuperLoop vehicles to identify and reprogram the entire fleet with a control system modification that reduces noise while maintaining safety and performance. Residents have acknowledged the noticeable noise reduction. Because this operational improvement took place after the field monitoring for the noise report, SANDAG documented the change in noise level as an addendum to the noise report.
June 2009. The interim service for SuperLoop began on June 15, 2009 as MTS routes 201 and 202, employing the vehicles that were delivered to MTS in spring 2009. Details on the interim service can be found on the top of the page.
Spring 2009. The SuperLoop buses, state-of-the-art 35-foot gasoline hybrid vehicles, were received by MTS in spring 2009. The buses were then equipped with traffic signal priority equipment and made available to MTS for training and system checks.
Early 2009. Final design of the SuperLoop stations and roadway improvements is proceeding, with completion of the design anticipated in early 2009. The SuperLoop stations are being designed to retain the look and feel of the proposed station design communicated to the public, while modifying the size and use of materials to remain within the required station cost limit.
February 2008. A committee of elected officials and senior staff of SANDAG and MTS reviewed a set of revised SuperLoop bus station design options, in response to escalating construction cost estimates. The committee selected the bus station design option that retained the design concept that had been communicated to the public, while requiring that the station be designed to not exceed $225,000 per station.
August 2007. On August 3, 2007, the SANDAG Transportation Committee adopted the Final Negative Declaration / Environmental Initial Study for the SuperLoop transit project. This environmental document incorporates the results of a Noise Analysis that was prepared in 2006 for the project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wondering when the SuperLoop will be in service? Have a question about how construction may impact you? Our list of Frequently Asked Questions includes community feedback collected during and after the March 22, 2006, community meeting and the May 8, 2007, May 16, 2006, and April 14, 2009, University City Planning Group meetings.
Outreach
On July 11, 2007, an open house was held to receive comments on the proposed SuperLoop station design at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, located at 4126 Executive Drive in San Diego from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Twenty display boards provided information about the different aspects of the project and project team members were available to answer questions. A PowerPoint presentation displayed images of the station design during the open house. Approximately 45 members of the public attended. The meeting summary and proposed station design are available below in PDF format.
On May 8, 2007, SANDAG presented project information to the University City Planning Group. On March 22, 2006, a community meeting was held at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center. Five poster stations provided information on different aspects of the project, such as background and project timeline, route alignment, traffic improvements, vehicle design and branding, and station design. Project team members were available to answer questions at each station. Copies of the news release, meeting summary, and the presentation shown at the meeting are available below in PDF format.
On April 14, 2009, SANDAG presented a project update to the University City Planning Group. The update included information regarding the route, stations, vehicles, and schedule. A copy of the presentation is available below in PDF format.
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