San Diego International Airport could someday boast an 'automated people mover,' a high-speed, above-ground monorail service to combat traffic congestion and shave precious minutes off travel time. A study by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) identified this futuristic transit option as the most time-saving and traffic-relieving alternative among proposals like expanding trolleys or adding bus services.
This monorail-inspired concept resembles the one set to launch at LAX next year. If implemented, the 'people mover' system could reduce traffic on surface streets by an estimated 20% while saving up to 24 minutes for some travelers on their way to the airport. With the San Diego International Airport continuously expanding, a high-speed transit alternative is increasingly necessary to cope with the growing traffic issues in the area, as per The San Diego Union-Tribune.
SANDAG officials project the 'people mover' cost between $1.3 to $2 billion. They also suggest that it could qualify for matching federal transit funds and highlight the airport's commitment to help pay for such a transit project, with a down payment of $300 million already in place, as reported on CBS 8. However, local funding may still require San Diego voters' green light.
Opinions regarding the 'automated people mover' proposal are divided among San Diego residents. While some eagerly embrace the prospect of reduced traffic and easy airport accessibility, others express concerns about the project's funding and potential allocation of resources to other areas in need according to CBS 8. Public input on this transit option will be considered during an environmental review process starting this fall. If approved and funded, the 'people mover' could become a reality within five to six years.
Though the latest plan costs half of its earlier $4 billion estimate, funding for the project is still a controversial topic, as reported on The San Diego Union-Tribune. For now, the project relies less on voter-approved sales tax increases, as labor and environmental groups endeavor to put a half-cent sales tax increase on the November 2024 ballot with the hope of generating billions of dollars for SANDAG projects, iNews Source reports.
Despite the recent resignation announcement of SANDAG CEO Hasan Ikhrata, a strong advocate of the people mover project, proponents of the automated monorail remain confident that the transit option will move forward. Meanwhile, some SANDAG board members suggest that the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority and airport users bear a substantial portion of the cost, while also raising concerns that the 'people mover' could leave out residents of certain areas, such as those in North County according to iNews Source.
As SANDAG moves closer to deciding on a public transit system for the San Diego International Airport, the community will undoubtedly keep a watchful eye on the developments, weighing the potential benefits of a high-speed monorail against the funding challenges and considerations for all stakeholders in the region.
