SANDAG Transportation Committee Votes 6-2 to Accelerate San Diego Airport Transit Connection Toward 2029 Construction Goal

Major Policy Breakthrough for Direct Airport Rail Access

SAN DIEGO, California — Regional transit connectivity reached a pivotal turning point on September 22, 2026, as the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Transportation Committee voted 6-2 to accelerate development of the long-sought Airport Transit Connection (ATC). Sifting through 17 preliminary concepts, committee members narrowed the field to five finalist alignments designed to provide direct, high-capacity mass transit service to San Diego International Airport (SAN).

The selected alternatives comprise three Automated People Mover (APM) elevated guideway configurations and two direct San Diego Trolley rail extensions, evaluating terminal connections with major mobility hubs including Santa Fe Depot, the Convention Center, and the 12th & Imperial Transit Center.

Unlocking $350 Million in Dedicated Airline Infrastructure Funding

Regional leaders, including San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera and County Supervisor Joel Anderson, underscored the critical necessity of fast-tracking environmental reviews and engineering specifications. Advancing construction by 2029 is essential to preserve and unlock $350 million in legally committed airline construction contributions established during negotiations for the airport's ongoing Terminal 1 redevelopment.

Transit planners emphasized that establishing a seamless, zero-emission rail connection between the airport and the regional transit network will eliminate thousands of daily automobile trips from Harbor Drive and Interstate 5, alleviating airport curbside congestion and curbing regional carbon emissions.

MTS Celebrates Record Ridership as City Refines Autonomous Rules

The transit advancement aligns with impressive operational milestones for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), which reported an all-time monthly trolley ridership record of 4.1 million passenger journeys. Concurrently, the San Diego City Council approved an 8-0 resolution urging state regulatory authorities to grant municipalities greater oversight over autonomous commercial vehicles while requesting the Airport Authority safeguard terminal curbsides from robotaxi gridlock.

San Diego civic leaders commended the collaborative momentum, expressing confidence that direct airport transit will transform regional accessibility for residents and visitors alike.