__NOTOC__ The Special Event Line, also known as the "Red Line" until 2012, is a

light rail Light rail (or light rail transit, abbreviated to LRT) is a form of passenger urban rail transit that uses rolling stock derived from tram technology National Conference of the Transportation Research Board while also having some features from ...

line operated by the

San Diego Trolley The San Diego Trolley is a light rail system serving San Diego County, California. The trolley's operator, San Diego Trolley, Inc. , is a subsidiary of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS). The trolley operates as a critical componen ...

, an operating division of the

San Diego Metropolitan Transit System The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is a public transit service provider for San Diego County, California. The agency operates a transit system that includes the San Diego MTS bus system, San Diego Trolley, and Rapid (San Diego), Rap ...

. Two different versions of this line operated, both times only during special events. The original version of the Special Event Line, operating from at least 2007 to 2012, connected Qualcomm Stadium station with Gaslamp Quarter station, during sporting events at

Qualcomm Stadium San Diego Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in San Diego, California, United States. Opened in 1967 as San Diego Stadium; it was renamed Jack Murphy Stadium for sportswriter Jack Murphy (sportswriter), Jack Murphy from 1981 to 1997. From 1997 t ...

Cox Arena Viejas Arena is an indoor arena in San Diego, California, located on the campus of San Diego State University (SDSU). Opened in 1997 on the site of the historic Aztec Bowl, it is the home of the San Diego State Aztecs men's and women's basketba ...

, and the

SDSU San Diego State University (SDSU) is a Public university, public research university in San Diego, California, United States. Founded in 1897, it is the third-oldest university and southernmost in the 23-member California State University (CS ...

Open Air Theatre (OAT), as well as during events like

San Diego Comic-Con San Diego Comic-Con is a comic book convention and multi-genre entertainment event held annually in San Diego, California, at the San Diego Convention Center. Founded in 1970, originally showcasing primarily comic books and science fiction/fant ...

. This version of the Special Event Line was discontinued in 2012, after the Trolley Renewal Project saw the Green Line extended over the Special Event Line's route. Later, in July 2022, the Special Event Line was revived, this time running from Balboa Avenue Transit Center (which had opened in the previous September as part of the Blue Line Mid-Coast extension) to 12th and Imperial. This version of the Special Event Line was revived from July 20 to July 23, 2023, and most recently from July 25 to July 28, 2024.

Current route (2022-present)

The current version of the Special Event Line first operated from July 20 to July 24, 2022, during

. Special Event Line services from that time onwards run from Balboa Avenue Transit Center to 12th and Imperial, following the Green Line's alignment from 12th and Imperial to

Old Town Transit Center Old Town Transit Center, also known as San Diego–Old Town station, or Old Town San Diego station, is an intermodal transportation station in the Old Town neighborhood of San Diego, California. It is served by Amtrak's ''Pacific Surfliner'', t ...

. Likewise from July 20 to July 23, 2023, the Special Event Line was revived along the 2022 route. Over the course of that weekend, the Special Event Line served over 100 thousand riders.

2005–2012 route

From at least 2007 to 2012, the Red Line operated between Gaslamp Quarter station and Qualcomm Stadium station (now known as Stadium station). They operated once every 15 minutes, during sporting events at

Petco Park Petco Park is a ballpark in San Diego, California. It is the home of the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). The ballpark is located in the East Village neighborhood of downtown San Diego, adjacent to the Gaslamp Quarter. Petco Par ...

, and the

Open Air Theater (OAT), as well as selected conventions and other major city events (such as

). On maps issued during its first tenure in operation, the Red Line was illustrated as a red dashed line, indicating that it was a "Special Event Service Only". The Special Event Line was discontinued in 2012, as part of the Trolley Renewal Project. The entire route the Special Event line ran is now served by the Green Line (which had been extended from

Old Town In a city or town, the old town is its historic or original core. Although the city is usually larger in its present form, many cities have redesignated this part of the city to commemorate its origins. In some cases, newer developments on t ...

to 12th & Imperial), and MTS now opts to add cars and increase service on that route when needed. The last Special Event Trolley departed at 6:54 pm on August 29, 2012.

Notes

References

{{San Diego Trolley Railway lines opened in 2005 Railway lines closed in 2012 Railway lines opened in 2022 San Diego Trolley lines