The Quickway proposal for San Diego aims to enhance the transit system by projecting significant increases in ridership and demonstrating potential cost savings compared to current plans. By 2050, ridership could exceed one million with a capital cost reduction of up to $5 billion and operating cost savings of $6-9 billion. The proposal emphasizes improved travel times, fewer transfers, and better reliability to attract more riders.

1. SAN DIEGO CITIZENS’
Quickway
Proposal
FOR A FAST, FREQUENT,
CONVENIENT, WORLD-CLASS
TRANSIT SYSTEM
PART 9 Results:
Costs &
Benefits
SEPTEMBER 2014
9 PART
©2014 BY THE MISSION GROUP, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The Quickway Proposal, © 2014 by The Mission Group pt. 9: Results 1

2. How many people would ride
transit if the Quickway Proposal
were fairly implemented?
The Quickway Proposal, © 2014 by The Mission Group pt. 9: Results 2

3. We can’t be sure, because we
didn’t have access to projected data
for 2050, when the County will add
well over one million people, many
of whom will live in “transit focus
areas.”
However, we did have access
to data for the year 2006…
The Quickway Proposal, © 2014 by The Mission Group pt. 9: Results 3

4. Projected Ridership (2006 Data)
Service Weekday
Ridership
% of Daily
Trips
Commuter Rail (Coaster) 4,150 1%
Light Rail (SD Trolley) 78,000 10%
Light Rail (Sprinter) 16,600 2%
BRT (Core Routes) 180,000 23%
BRT (MetroXpress) 286,000 36%
Local Bus (MTS & NCTD) 128,000 16%
Streetcar 98,000 12%
Total “2006” Projected Ridership 790,000 100%
2008 Actual Transit Ridership 345,000
Gain in Ridership 445,000 (130%) .
Likely 2050 Ridership > 1,000,000
The Quickway Proposal, © 2014 by The Mission Group pt. 9: Results 4

5. 2006 Data—Projected Ridership Flows
Many Quickway segments will carry more
riders—in some places, more than 3x
more—than the busiest segment of the
existing Trolley currently move.
2005 Trolley Flow: 23,000
The Quickway Proposal, © 2014 by The Mission Group pt. 9: Results 5

6. 2006 Data—Projected Ridership Flows Again, ridership
projections were
made using San
Diego’s 2006
population and
land use.
As San Diego
grows and more
people live by
transit, projected
ridership should
be expected to
increase
significantly.
Even so,
ridership flows on
the North/Central
component of the
Proposal are
equal to or better
than existing
Trolley lines.
The Quickway Proposal, © 2014 by The Mission Group pt. 9: Results 6

7. Why would so many new
people ride transit with
the Quickway Proposal?
The Quickway Proposal, © 2014 by The Mission Group pt. 9: Results 7

8. Compared to our region’s current
transit plans, the Proposal offers:
Faster (shorter) travel times
Fewer transfers
Less waiting
Better station/stop location
Greater reliability
The Quickway Proposal, © 2014 by The Mission Group pt. 9: Results 8

9. Just what would
it cost to build?
The Quickway Proposal, © 2014 by The Mission Group pt. 9: Results 9

10. % of Total Plan Guideway Length
10% 10%
Total Miles: 171
19% 21% 22%
12%
2% 3%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Bridge Elevated At Grade
(New)
At Grade
(Existing)
Cut &
Open
Cut &
Cover
Bored
Tunnel
Surface
Rail
The Quickway Proposal, © 2014 by The Mission Group pt. 9: Results 10

11. SANDAG RTP Capital Costs
Mode Millions
BRT $ 1 ,028
Heavy Rail $ 2 ,617
Light Rail $ 14,416
Rapid Bus $ 997
Streetcar $ 67
Total $ 19,125
Our region’s 2050 Regional Transportation Plan anticipates spending
over $19 billion just for public transit capital projects.
The Quickway Proposal, © 2014 by The Mission Group pt. 9: Results 11

12. Quickway Proposal Capital Costs
Capital Cost Comparison
FAST Plan $ 13,872,950,075
RTP 2050 $ 19,125,000,000
FAST Plan Savings $ 5 ,252,049,925
Cost Difference 27%
*
*The Proposal also
includes
approximately
$1 billion in road
projects which are
not included in this
comparison since
they would not be
funded from the
transit portion of the
RTP.
Quickway Proposal
Proposal Savings
Depending on how you slice and dice it, the Quickway Proposal may
save the region up to $5 billion in direct capital costs, and may
make some road projects unnecessary, saving further dollars.
The Quickway Proposal, © 2014 by The Mission Group pt. 9: Results 12

13. But could we afford to operate all
those new services?
The Quickway Proposal, © 2014 by The Mission Group pt. 9: Results 13

14. Comparative Operating Subsidy
Through 2050
SANDAG RTP $20 Billion
Quickway Proposal: $11-14 Billion*
Cost Savings to the Region: $6-9 Billion
(30-45%)
*Depending on cost model used. All models only
assume ridership based on 2006 tables for the Proposal.
We understand the difficulty in projecting long term operating costs
and passenger revenue. Our modeling does indicate, though, that a
faster transit system can save the region billions.
The Quickway Proposal, © 2014 by The Mission Group pt. 9: Results 14

15. CONCLUSION:
The Quickway Proposal, as a strategic approach
to creating a better-integrated transit network, can:
Reach into more places
Save people more travel time
Better support “smart growth” areas
Attract many more riders
Better improve automotive traffic and
Cost significantly less to build and operate
than our current transit plans.
The Quickway Proposal, © 2014 by The Mission Group pt. 9: Results 15