SuperLoop

SuperLoop
ParentMetropolitan Transit System
Founded2007
Commenced operationJune 15, 2009; 15 years ago (2009-06-15)
Ceased operationSeptember 6, 2015; 9 years ago (2015-09-06)
LocaleSan Diego County, California
Service areaUniversity City
Service typeBRT
Routes3 (201, 202, 204)
HubsUTC Transit center
Stations17
Fleet12 New Flyer Industries GE35LFR buses
Fuel typeGas-Electric Hybrid
OperatorSan Diego Transit
WebsiteSDMTS.com
An MTS SuperLoop station and weekday bus in La Jolla

The SuperLoop was a bus rapid transit system in San Diego, California, United States, in the University City area. It connected the University of California, San Diego and Westfield UTC. The 8-mile loop featured 15 stops served by as many as 12 dedicated New Flyer hybrid buses.[1] Service of the SuperLoop was provided by the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System.

The system featured a number of amenities associated with bus rapid transit, such as signal prioritization, electronic signs in shelters indicating time until the arrival of the next bus, and recognizable branding. However, it featured only a small quantity of dedicated lanes.

History

Traffic pattern studies showed that 60% of vehicles traveling in University City made internal trips. The SuperLoop expected to reduce the number of vehicles on the road by absorbing the traffic created by internal travelers.[2]

The first phase of station construction began in late 2007. The SuperLoop began operations in an interim phase in mid-2009. At the launch of the SuperLoop service, vehicles ran approximately every 10 minutes during the peak periods, and every 15 minutes during non-peak periods. Adjustments were made after periodic review to better serve demand. In June 2012, the SuperLoop was extended to serve the area east of UTC.

In 2015, SuperLoop was added to the San Diego Rapid bus transit network. The fleet of 60-foot New Flyer Xcelsior buses were also introduced to the routes. Today, the routes are part of the Rapid network, with UTC Transit Center becoming a hub for the combined network. This ended the physical usage of the SuperLoop brand name after six years.

Fares

SuperLoop followed the same fare policy as all other non-express MTS bus routes.

Amount Type
$6.00 Adult Day Pass (For Trips Involving multiple routes or multiple rides) (Additional $2 if a valid Compass Card is not present)
$3.00 Youth/Senior/Disabled/Medicare Day Pass (Valid Youth/Senior/Disabled/Medicare Compass Card must be present)
$2.50 One Way Regular Fare (Ages 6+)
$1.25 One Way Youth/Senior/Disabled/Medicare Fare (For Passengers Ages 60+, Or Those Passengers Providing An OfficeMax MTS Fare Discount ID)
FREE Children (Ages 5 and under, or 12 and under With a paid adult on the weekends)

Scheduling

Monday Through Friday

Time Window Frequency
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 Holidays

Time Window Frequency
5:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. Every 15 minutes

See also

References

  1. ^ "San Diego launches SuperLoop to University City". Metro Magazine. 15 June 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  2. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". SANDAG. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  3. ^ "September 6, 2015 Service Changes". Metropolitan Transit System. Retrieved August 19, 2015.