The Airport Transit Connection will create a direct link between the San Diego International Airport and our regional transit system. This new connection will be integrated with many existing and future travel options in our urban core including Rapid and local bus services, shuttles, regional rail, Trolley, and safe biking and walking improvements.
Connected transportation options will make it easier for people to navigate the region—and access the airport—without relying on a car. This project will provide residents and visitors with:
- Convenient access to airport terminals and local amenities
- Equitable and reliable options that connect San Diego’s urban core to the surrounding region
- A more seamless and stress-free experience when using transit to reach the airport for travel or work
Near- and Mid-Term Transit Options
We're exploring ways to enhance connections and increase service to the airport in the near term in collaboration with the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and the San Diego International Airport. Existing options like MTS Route 992 and the San Diego Flyer are being considered for improved service. In the mid-term, we are exploring bus priority solutions like dedicated bus lanes on North Harbor Drive or Pacific Highway. This would allow buses to bypass traffic more easily, providing a faster and more reliable travel experience to and from the airport.
Longer-Term Transit Options
We’re looking into whether longer-term solutions, like a rail connection, would be a good fit for the San Diego region. If we move forward with any of these options, there will be an environmental review period during which the public can share their thoughts and feedback.
Progress to Date
Transit connections to the airport are a key part of the Regional Plan, our blueprint for enhancing our region’s quality of life. Planning efforts to date have identified multiple potential Airport Transit Connection concepts. Information about these concepts can be found in our Airport Transit Connection Concept Evaluation Study.
In fall 2024, we conducted an Airport Travel Survey to seek input on how people in the San Diego region travel to and from the airport. We surveyed residents, visitors, and employees at the San Diego International Airport and on airport shuttles and buses (including MTS Route 992). Data collected from the survey will inform our work on the Airport Transit Connection project and other regional planning initiatives.
We're in the process of analyzing the survey and additional planning and travel data to pinpoint the best concepts to move forward. By looking at updated growth forecasts, how travel habits have changed post-pandemic, airport travel statistics, and feedback from the community, we will determine which ideas really work for the San Diego region. After we identify the most promising concepts, they will go through an environmental study before a final option is chosen.
In December 2024, staff presented project updates to our Board of Directors. More information and a Board briefing can be found in the agenda packet from that meeting. Watch the meeting.
Connect with Us
Learn more by signing up for project updates at SANDAG.org/subscribe. Check the box for “Airport Transit Connection” under the “Transit & Rail Projects” section.
For questions or concerns regarding the Airport Transit Connection or this survey, please email the project team at atc@sandag.org. For media inquiries, please contact pio@sandag.org.