Projected ridership on the Purple Line was previously expected to be over 40,000 daily trips when previously studied as a light rail line with a peak hour frequency of 7–10 minutes. With its mode being changed to higher-speed and higher-capacity commuter rail, a new study will eventually be conducted to determine how many more daily trips will be generated.[3] The line is proposed to be opened in 2035 if funding is available at a proposed total project cost of $15.56B.[4]
History
Planning
In April 2011, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) released a draft of its 2050 Regional Transportation Plan, which the SANDAG board of directors approved on October 28, 2011. An inland Trolley line from San Ysidro to Kearny Mesa, though not yet called the Purple Line, was included in the plan.[5][6][7]
Line name announced
In April 2019, SANDAG approved the final version of a November ballot initiative to increase the countywide sales tax by a half-cent, which further detailed future transit plans and specifically mentioned and estimated the cost to build the proposed San Ysidro-Kearney Mesa trolley extension. It was then given its official title, the Purple Line.[8]
Mode changed from light rail to commuter rail
In 2021, SANDAG released their 2021 Regional Plan, in which they updated the mode of the Purple Line proposal from light rail to commuter rail. As a commuter rail line, trains could run as fast as 110 miles per hour (180 km/h).[9]
Potential stations
Potential stations according to the SANDAG plan could include:[10]
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