The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) unveiled new cars for its trolley system on Thursday that feature a more accessible low-floor design, and the Santee station will be one of the first to see them pass through.
The first two of the new cars are set to begin service on the Green Line on Oct. 3, leaving from the Old Town to Santee stations at 5 a.m. for their first run.
“The new low-floor cars usher in a new era of accessibility for the trolley system,” Harry Mathis, chairman of the MTS board, said. "These cars have nearly level boarding ramps, eliminating the need for stairs and wheelchair lifts. They will enable speedier boarding and quicker trips for our passengers."
The Green Line, which Santee is on, is ready to accept the new cars without any modifications, but the Orange and Blue lines (which service Downtown, South County and East County) will require some construction, that will likely impact trolley service on those lines, in order to fit the new design. Because of the construction needs, the new cars may not be on all lines until 2014.
MTS expects a total of 57 low-floor cars, six of which they’ve received so far. The total cost for the new fleet: $233 million.
The new cars have the same capacity as the current cars, but are shorter, allowing for less obstruction to pedestrians.
City News Service contributed to this report.
