The trolley’s 24-mile long Green Line that runs from East County to downtown is now the Sycuan Green Line.
The new moniker is part of a naming rights agreement between San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and Sycuan Casino that is expected generate up to $25.5 million in non-fare revenue for MTS operations over a term of up to 30 years.
The MTS Board of Directors approved the agreement unanimously at its meeting Thursday.
In addition to the naming rights, the agreement also allows Sycuan to operate bus shuttles to the Sycuan Casino from select MTS Transit Centers: Santee, El Cajon, Grantville and 12th & Imperial.
Sycuan will also receive the right to change the name of three MTS stations.
“We are excited for the public to take advantage of the MTS transportation network to be able to access all of our current casino and future resort amenities,” said Cody Martinez, chairman, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.
The Sycuan Green Line is almost 24 miles long and serves some of the region’s major attractions including SDSU, SDCCU Stadium, Mission Valley, Hazard Center, Fashion Valley, Old Town, Seaport Village, the Convention Center, Gaslamp Quarter and Petco Park. Additionally, it serves 27 stations in the cities of Santee, El Cajon, La Mesa and San Diego. The Sycuan Green Line also has high visibility along Interstate 8.
“The Sycuan Green Line agreement will be a sustainable revenue source that will be used exclusively to help maintain our level of service throughout San Diego,” said MTS Chief Executive Officer Paul Jablonski.
This is the second major naming rights agreement for MTS. UC San Diego Health and UC San Diego are in the third year of its 30-year naming rights agreement for the UC San Diego Blue Line. MTS will continue to seek naming rights partners for the Orange Line and individual stations.
The Superlative Group, based in Cleveland, Ohio, is the naming rights consultant for MTS.
