San Diego Trolley Nation’s Most Popular Light Rail

The system's ridership benefited from an extension project and free transit for youth.

1 minute read

November 30, 2023, 10:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Red San Diego Trolley light rail train at station with passengers walking on platform and Spanish-style dome building in background.

Walter Cicchetti / Adobe Stock

Transit riders in San Diego took over 34 million trips on the city’s Trolley light rail system in 2022, more than any other light rail system in the country, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). As Andrew Keatts reports in Axios, this is still lower than the Trolley’s pre-pandemic ridership numbers (the system saw 38 million trips in 2019).

The Trolley opened an 11-mile extension of the Blue Line in November 2021, prompting a 66 percent jump in ridership on that line. According to the article, “The San Diego Association of Governments also began offering free transit ridership to anyone under age 18 on May 1, 2022.”

Elsewhere, “Los Angeles' light rail system had the second most unlinked trips — counting each transfer as an additional ride: 31.5 million — and Boston's came in third at 30.7 million.” San Diego continues to lead the nation in ridership based on preliminary APTA data from the first half of 2023.

Monday, November 27, 2023 in Axios

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

July 2, 2025 - Mother Jones

Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions

Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

Paved walking path next to canal in The Woodlands, Texas with office buildings in background.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50

A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

February 19, 2025 - Greg Flisram

Screenshot of shade map of Buffalo, New York with legend.

Test News Post 1

This is a summary

0 seconds ago - 2TheAdvocate.com

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

18 minutes ago - Mother Jones

test alt text

Test News Headline 46

Test for the image on the front page.

March 5 - Cleantech blog