Central Mobility Hub

SANDAG is working to improve mobility throughout the San Diego region by connecting transportation options and creating a fast transit connection to San Diego International Airport. The Central Mobility Hub would bring together all modes of transit in one central location, including bus, Rapid, Trolley, and commuter rail like the COASTER and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner. Serving as one of the region’s primary transportation centers, it would provide transit links to destinations throughout the region and serve everyone going to or from the airport—whether for work or travel.

After gathering public input and studying several alternative locations, SANDAG proposes to locate the Central Mobility Hub in Downtown San Diego with the precise location yet to be determined. The project also proposes two direct transit connections from the future Central Mobility Hub to the airport:

A connection from a new transit center located in San Diego’s Middletown neighborhood
A connection to the existing Santa Fe Depot transit center

SANDAG also proposes multimodal transportation solutions for surrounding communities, including around the airport, Midway, Old Town, parts of Point Loma, and Downtown San Diego. Together, these transportation solutions would provide more options for people to get around without relying on a car. Additional benefits include:

Quick and comfortable transport directly to airport terminals
Easy access to and from freeways
Close pick-up/drop-off facilities
Improved traffic conditions on surrounding roadways
Increased transit ridership
Services and amenities for travelers (retail, restaurants, personal services)
Public gathering places
An advancement toward climate action goals
A boost in economic development

The Central Mobility Hub is fundamental to the 2021 Regional Plan, SANDAG’s blueprint for enhancing our region’s quality of life through fast, fair, and clean transportation. The plan calls for creation of a network of Mobility Hubs throughout the region to better connect people to their homes, work, schools, and local destinations. Mobility Hubs are community enhancement projects that provide amenities such as housing, office space, and shopping centers, and a variety of ways to get around such as transit, walking, biking, and shared mobility.

Project Status

SANDAG is currently conducting a Concept Study to analyze several airport transit connection alternatives. Once this study is complete, the environmental review process for the airport transit connections is anticipated to begin in early 2023. The environmental review for the Central Mobility Hub in Downtown San Diego will follow, after additional study. A report including recommended multimodal transportation solutions around San Diego International Airport and surrounding communities is anticipated to be completed in early 2023.

Project Funding

In September 2019, the SANDAG Board of Directors approved $50 million in funding for continued analysis of the Central Mobility Hub concept. The approved components of the study include environmental analysis, preliminary engineering, and complete corridor planning. A combination of funding sources is needed to build the Central Mobility Hub. SANDAG is exploring federal, state, and local funding options that may be available to fund the project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Mobility Hubs?

Mobility Hubs are one of the 5 Big Moves that make up the 2021 Regional Plan. Mobility Hubs are places of connectivity where different travel options—walking, biking, transit, and shared mobility—come together. Mobility Hubs also integrate with Complete Corridors to ensure walking and biking are safe experiences while prioritizing pooled ride options over single-occupant vehicles.

The Central Mobility Hub is one of 30 Mobility Hubs proposed in the 2021 Regional Plan to make it easier for communities to access transit and other shared mobility choices.

Why is a Central Mobility Hub needed?

Mobility hubs are a key component of the 2021 Regional Plan. They are places of connectivity and activity where transportation services, amenities, and supporting technologies can work together to make it easier for communities to access transit and other shared mobility choices. Additionally, mobility hubs contribute to increased transit ridership, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A Central Mobility Hub in Downtown San Diego would significantly change the way people use transit, by creating a centrally located space that brings transit together alongside housing, workspaces, and other mixed-use development. It would revitalize the downtown economy while making it easier for people throughout the region to use transit.

Are you considering more than one location for a downtown Central Mobility Hub?

The precise location of the Central Mobility Hub in Downtown San Diego is not yet determined, and multiple locations will be studied as part of the environmental review process. Redeveloping downtown properties owned by the City of San Diego is an option under consideration. SANDAG is working closely with the City of San Diego in this process.

Why do you need a downtown Central Mobility Hub to advance an airport transit connection?

The Central Mobility Hub will make it easier for people to travel throughout the San Diego region and get where they need to go, including San Diego International Airport. The Central Mobility Hub was originally conceived as part of the 2021 Regional Plan to link transit to the airport, and based on comments we’ve heard from the public, we know that this remains a regional priority.

The proposed Port Transit Center and Santa Fe Depot don’t have a footprint large enough to accommodate all modes of regional transportation, but a Central Mobility Hub in Downtown San Diego would. This will make it possible for people coming from throughout the San Diego region—whether by bus, Trolley, or commuter rail like the COASTER and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner—to get to the airport entirely by transit, with some trips requiring only one transfer at the Central Mobility Hub.

Why is SANDAG pursuing the airport connection before the Central Mobility Hub?

The San Diego region is in urgent need of a fast and convenient transit connection to San Diego International Airport. SANDAG is moving forward with the airport connection components of the project first to address this issue and ensure the San Diego region is well-positioned for future federal infrastructure funding.

Additionally, the studies conducted since SANDAG began exploring solutions for airport connectivity have provided critical engineering and environmental information to move forward with the airport connections. Previous studies have helped to inform the best ways to position transit infrastructure around the airport runway, where to put required maintenance facilities, and how to link transit to the airport rental car facility.

The San Diego region has needed an airport connection for decades. What makes it possible now?

SANDAG has spent the last few years gathering community feedback and working with our partner agencies to make the Central Mobility Hub project a reality and deliver an airport transit connection to the region. Our close collaboration with the Airport Authority and Port District, combined with the exhaustive studies completed so far, means a lot of the preparation work is already done and we’re ready to move this project forward. These early planning investments authorized by the SANDAG Board of Directors, the partnerships formed between all levels of local government on this issue, and the once-in-a-generation infrastructure funding made available by the federal government, make this project now achievable and buildable. This timing is also ideal as it complements the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority’s plans for redeveloping Terminal 1.

Additionally, recent state legislation calling for California to cut greenhouse gases at least 85% by 2045 and offset any remaining emissions requires investments, like the Central Mobility Hub and airport transit connection, to reduce vehicle miles traveled.

Why does the project include two airport transit connections? And would the Central Mobility Hub be considered a third airport connector?

All parts of the project will work together in harmony while serving different needs.

The two transit connections to the airport would serve people coming from different parts of the San Diego region, making transit access to the airport convenient and equitable. The Port Transit Center would make travel to the airport more convenient for people coming south on Interstate 5, Trolley riders, and those using the adjacent airport car rental facility. The Santa Fe Depot connection would provide a critical link between the airport and San Diego’s urban core, making travel to the airport more convenient for anyone coming from Downtown San Diego or anyone travelling north to the airport from south of Downtown.

The Central Mobility Hub is preparing for future growth and development that Santa Fe Depot cannot accommodate. The Santa Fe Depot connection could potentially be extended to a Central Mobility Hub in Downtown San Diego.

Will all our region’s transit services (i.e., bus, Trolley, COASTER, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner) connect to these two airport transit routes as well as the Central Mobility Hub? Will future California High Speed Rail be accommodated?

SANDAG is exploring the operational impacts of serving different transit modes at the proposed Port Transit Center and Santa Fe Depot. However, at least one of the airport transit stops will serve all the modes listed, including the future California High Speed Rail system. SANDAG is coordinating with San Diego Metropolitan Transit Service and North County Transit District regarding transit service at the proposed stops along each route and will continue to explore these options as planning efforts for the Central Mobility Hub continue to advance.

Would the transit connections to the airport be above ground or below ground?

The alignments and configurations for the transit connections to the airport will be determined during the environmental and engineering processes. Planning phases have considered above and below ground options. SANDAG will begin the environmental review for the airport connections in early 2023, and there will be opportunities for public input.

Will the airport transit connection from Santa Fe Depot be a Trolley extension? What about the connection from the Port Transit Center?

SANDAG is currently studying potential alignments and modes of transportation for the airport transit connections from Santa Fe Depot and the Port Transit Center. Both the Trolley and an automated people mover are being evaluated. After this analysis is complete, SANDAG will select a preferred mode of transit for the project, which will be included in the environmental review process beginning in early 2023.

What is an automated people mover?

An automated people mover (APM) is a small-scale, driverless light rail vehicle that operates on a fixed track. Airports often use APMs because they include convenient features for people traveling with luggage, such as level boarding platforms and spacious interiors. Additionally, APMs can operate 24 hours a day while offering frequent trips, which allows for flexible pickup times and reduced wait times for travelers.

Orlando International Airport operates a Terminal Link (AMP) Station that opened in November 2017 to connect passengers between terminals. Los Angeles International Airport broke ground on an Automated People Mover in 2019 and expects the project to be complete and operable by 2026.

When will the airport transit connection be completed? When will the Central Mobility Hub be completed?

Precise dates for the project have not yet been determined. SANDAG will move forward with the environmental review process for the airport connection components of the project in early 2023. The environmental review for the Central Mobility Hub will follow, after additional study. A more detailed schedule will be developed as part of the environmental review process.

How will the Central Mobility Hub be paid for?

SANDAG has authorized a budget of $50 million to date for preliminary planning and environmental work related to the Central Mobility Hub and a transit connection to the airport. Additional funds will be needed as the project moves forward, and SANDAG is currently exploring federal, state, and local funding opportunities. These opportunities include Capital Investment Grants, the National Infrastructure Project Assistance Program (Mega), and the Federal-State Partnership Program for Intercity Passenger Rail.

To expedite the implementation of this project and ensure the San Diego region is well-positioned for future federal infrastructure funding, SANDAG will move forward in early 2023 with the environmental review process for the airport connection components of the project.

How has public input been factored into this new proposed plan? Was diversity, equity, and inclusion taken into consideration with this new plan?

SANDAG received a variety of community input during the initial environmental review process that began in April 2021, including comments in support of a more central location for the Central Mobility Hub that would more equitably serve people traveling to the airport from all areas of the region.

The Port of San Diego headquarters was also suggested during the public comment period, and this provides the opportunity for a transit connection to the airport for Trolley and bus riders, travelers coming from Interstate 5, and those using the airport car rental facility.

In developing and implementing the 2021 Regional Plan, SANDAG collaborated with historically underserved communities, community organizations, and tribal governments to help ensure the plan will guide our region toward a more inclusive and equitable future. As a key objective of the Regional Plan, the Central Mobility Hub and the two transit routes to the airport will provide more equitable access for all people, regardless of their mode of transportation.

What are the future opportunities for the public to provide meaningful input?

During the environmental review process, which is anticipated to start in early 2023, the public will have several opportunities to provide input.

How will SANDAG include potentially impacted communities in the process?

SANDAG will continue to reach out, solicit feedback, and incorporate input from communities in and near the project area including, but not limited to, Downtown San Diego, Midway, and Uptown in the City of San Diego. SANDAG will conduct public meetings open to everyone throughout the region, and provide opportunities to participate online.