San Diego MTS Secures $60.4 Million to Modernize Orange Line and Expand Bus Electrification Infrastructure
State grant funding targets rail reliability upgrades and depot charging systems for zero-emission buses
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has received $60.4 million in competitive state grant funding intended to advance two major modernization efforts: improvements along the Orange Line Trolley corridor and electrification infrastructure at the Kearny Mesa bus division.
The award is tied to California’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP), a statewide capital grant program designed to support transformative transit projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled. The funding package aligns with two recurring priorities for large transit agencies: maintaining rail assets in a state of good repair while building the facilities needed to operate a growing share of zero-emission buses.
Where the $60.4 million is slated to go
MTS project materials describe a split between rail infrastructure upgrades and bus-depot charging construction. In the agency’s 2023 grant outline, the modernization scope included approximately $48.3 million for Orange Line track-related work and about $12.1 million for electrifying the Kearny Mesa Division with overhead charging equipment for battery-electric buses.
Orange Line Trolley modernization: The rail portion focuses on improving roughly 18 miles of the Orange Line corridor. Documented project elements include track improvements and supporting safety and reliability work, such as upgrades associated with grade crossings and signal interfaces.
Kearny Mesa Division electrification: The bus component centers on construction of an overhead charging system to support a fleet segment of zero-emission buses operating from the Kearny Mesa facility.
How the projects fit into the region’s broader transit capital needs
The award arrives as MTS continues to balance modernization needs across an aging rail network and a bus system transitioning toward lower- and zero-emission technologies. The Orange Line is one of three Trolley lines and carries a substantial share of the region’s rail ridership. Capital work that reduces service disruptions—especially at grade crossings and within signal systems—can have systemwide operational benefits by improving on-time performance and reducing maintenance-related slow zones.
On the bus side, depot electrification is a prerequisite for scaling battery-electric operations. Charging infrastructure decisions—such as overhead versus plug-in systems—shape fleet scheduling, dwell times, and facility power requirements. MTS planning documents have described electrification as a long-horizon transition, with charging buildouts proceeding in phases as buses and supporting electrical capacity are added.
The $60.4 million award is structured around two measurable outcomes: extending the useful life and reliability of existing rail infrastructure, and enabling additional zero-emission bus operations through fixed charging assets.
Construction schedules, procurement timelines, and any related service impacts are expected to be defined through subsequent board actions, permitting, and contracting steps typical for large transit capital projects.