San Diego MTS Opens New East County Bus Yard

EL CAJON, CA - The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System celebrated the opening of a $38 million bus yard and maintenance facility in the East County Wednesday, which will serve as the base for 120 buses that run on compressed natural gas.

"MTS is focused on improving all facets of our business to improve efficiency, reliability, passenger amenities and the air we breathe," said MTS Chief Executive Officer Paul Jablonski. "The new East County Bus Operations & Maintenance Facility helps us achieve all those goals."

The facility includes a 34,500-square-foot maintenance building, 10,275- square-foot administrative building and CNG fueling station on 5 1/2 acres on Vernon Way in El Cajon.

The buses will serve the urbanized area along the Interstate 8 corridor, as well as rural and unincorporated areas in the county, according to MTS officials, who said 115 drivers and 14 mechanics will be based there.

The MTS has similar facilities in Chula Vista, Kearny Mesa and East Village.

- City News Service / Image: SDMTS Board Chair Harry Mathis kicks-off the grand opening of the new East County Bus Maintenance Facility & new CNG fleet via @sdmts Twitter