General Reports

[Hadez]

I used the medical pass to cross the border Sunday 1/8 in my vehicle. The lane opens at 7 AM. I got in at 7:34. I was through the border by 7:45. One of fastest border experiences I have ever had.

Got my pass in Rosarito for $35. Anyone know where to get one in Tijuana?

I know a couple ways to get past the Mexican side of the line now. Each I need to pay for each crossing. Does Mexico have any perm passes? This 18 month wait for the USA side of things has me calling my Congresswoman this next week.

[Hadez]

I been waiting for 18 months now for my approval. I hear the pass use to take about 6 weeks before all the COVID stuff happened.

I am talking about the Sentri pass.. Maybe I should apply for Global Entry. Will it allow me to drive in the Sentri lane?

The Global Entry card, which acts as Sentri if you are walking over the border to the USA side, is simply a must have. I don't know how many on this forum have the Global Entry card, but it is so incredible.

I suppose, if you are coming back at 2 am, which I have sometimes done, it really doesn't matter, as you will glide through the USA border security. But I have stayed overnight just twice in Tijuana and both times I've come back on a Sunday morning. The pedestrian line in the regular line to USA is immense and it doesn't move. With the Global Entry card, I sail right by all of these people in the Sentri lane. I feel like these people are probably going to have to wait at least an hour. And maybe more. But for me, it has taken about 3-5 minutes. And then about another 10-15 to the Palm Avenue blue line station. It is worth every cent to save that much time to me.

I glided through border security on my way back to San Diego today and felt the need to glow about Global Entry because it is just amazing.

[WombatEd2]

Each trolley parking lot has cameras mounted on street lamps. I think someone is watching parked cars.

Good point. OTOH, nowadays, most cameras are recording, and nobody is watching.

So unless your car is somehow implicated in a serious criminal matter, I seriously doubt if anyone ever watches.

But, as I've said before, this is an issue I've never tested. (And I have no intention.).

[Clone8884]

You can park at the border behind Carolin Shoes for $10 every 24 hours. Cheaper than other lots and don't have to take the trolley.

[StRobert]

I do that any time I'm walking in, but there is one thing to be aware of: Parking at the trolley stations is, in theory, limited to 24 hours. I have never seen this enforced, but I've never tested it, either.

This all works fine for me, because if I'm going for more than 24 hours, I drive in. But I don't recommend that for most people.

Each trolley parking lot has cameras mounted on street lamps. I think someone is watching parked cars.

[WombatEd2]

The do enforce trolley fares (sort of).

I've ridden the trolley about a dozen times in the last year and on three occasions, there were officers checking fares.

And the only time they caught anyone, they just told the offender to "get off the trolley at the next stop.

P. S: Please don't confuse "get off the trolley" with "get the trolley off". The former is a much simpler procedure.

[Baxter Slade]

I do that any time I'm walking in, but there is one thing to be aware of: Parking at the trolley stations is, in theory, limited to 24 hours. I have never seen this enforced, but I've never tested it, either.

This all works fine for me, because if I'm going for more than 24 hours, I drive in. But I don't recommend that for most people.

I recently tested any limit on trolley parking. 5 days with no issue. The only sign I noticed regarding parking was a sign saying parking in a handicap spot with no permit will result in being ticketed and towed. The way I see it is free free free, even with the trolley fare $1. 25 each way for a senior I'm saving that in gas by not driving from palm ave to the border and back.

[Dogers69]

The Global Entry card, which acts as Sentri if you are walking over the border to the USA side, is simply a must have. I don't know how many on this forum have the Global Entry card, but it is so incredible.

I suppose, if you are coming back at 2 am, which I have sometimes done, it really doesn't matter, as you will glide through the USA border security. But I have stayed overnight just twice in Tijuana and both times I've come back on a Sunday morning. The pedestrian line in the regular line to USA is immense and it doesn't move. With the Global Entry card, I sail right by all of these people in the Sentri lane. I feel like these people are probably going to have to wait at least an hour. And maybe more. But for me, it has taken about 3-5 minutes. And then about another 10-15 to the Palm Avenue blue line station. It is worth every cent to save that much time to me.

I glided through border security on my way back to San Diego today and felt the need to glow about Global Entry because it is just amazing.

I have global entry. But I feel like there's a bit of racism regarding global entry. I grew up and lived 40 years in safe, everyone follows the law, everyone loves the police town. So I qualified. But what about everyone else? Most of this country is not the neighborhood I grew up in. People of color must have a much tougher time getting global entry. I doubt I would have it if I grew up in LOS angleles or San diego. And. The folks in mexixo can get sentri. If their not criminals. Who the hells a criminal in mexixo? Steal someone's cell phone in usa, have a fight in a bar, you can't get global entries. But they give swntri to Mexicans. ? I don't know what kind of crime would even get a mexixan with prison because it sure ain't murder. 99% of them get away with that crime.

[Dogers69]

You're right, most of the time they don't check the trolley fares either (see as evidence all of the crazies on the trolley most of whom don't pay) but the trolley fare isn't something I'd recommend skimping on.

Just not worth it IMO.

I got caught without trolley ticket 2 days ago. My monthly had expired and I hadn't used the trolley for few days, then it pulled up to stop before I had time to buy a day ticket. I was going 3 stops so. But of course they got me. The deal at this moment in time, was if you have $$ you get off next stop and buy one. If you don't have $$ you get a ticket. I've probably only skipped buying a ticket 3 times in 300 trips.

[Gregyyr]

Bummer. The closest parking lot directly across from Jack in the Box increased their Friday prices to $25 from $15. What a rip off. I could see a $5 increase but really. $10. Kinda pissed me off. It was always $25 on Saturday's. Will have to check out the big lot north of Jack in the box to see what it's at these days.

-G.

[ParallaxView]

You're right, most of the time they don't check the trolley fares either (see as evidence all of the crazies on the trolley most of whom don't pay) but the trolley fare isn't something I'd recommend skimping on.

Just not worth it IMO.

I'm not really sure what isn't worth it. Just have the Pronto app on your phone and put some money on it when needed, but don't actually buy a ticket. When (or, more likely, if) confronted for a ticket by a transit officer, just plead ignorance and buy a ticket. I don't see any downside on skimping on the trolley ticket. I highly doubt anything negative would ever happen as long as you buy the ticket when asked for proof of purchase by a transit officer.

That said, I've done two round trips (not many, admittedly) on Saturday and then returning Sunday morning, and did not get asked for a ticket either time.

While I think it is wise to simply buy the ticket to support the trolley, I'm not sure MTS can do much to ensure fares are being purchased.

[BrotherMouzone]

I do that any time I'm walking in, but there is one thing to be aware of: Parking at the trolley stations is, in theory, limited to 24 hours. I have never seen this enforced, but I've never tested it, either.

I've tested it several times for 2-3 days with no issues. So 2-3 days I probably wouldn't worry about it. Honestly, I don't think they even care - the rule I think is only in place to prevent people from taking complete advantage of it by having their cars parked there several days (ie a week or more) at a time as the lots weren't intended for that. If leaving your car there for that long they probably would ticket or tow.


This all works fine for me, because if I'm going for more than 24 hours, I drive in. But I don't recommend that for most people.

You're right, most of the time they don't check the trolley fares either (see as evidence all of the crazies on the trolley most of whom don't pay) but the trolley fare isn't something I'd recommend skimping on.

Just not worth it IMO.

[ParallaxView]

The Global Entry card, which acts as Sentri if you are walking over the border to the USA side, is simply a must have. I don't know how many on this forum have the Global Entry card, but it is so incredible.

I suppose, if you are coming back at 2 am, which I have sometimes done, it really doesn't matter, as you will glide through the USA border security. But I have stayed overnight just twice in Tijuana and both times I've come back on a Sunday morning. The pedestrian line in the regular line to USA is immense and it doesn't move. With the Global Entry card, I sail right by all of these people in the Sentri lane. I feel like these people are probably going to have to wait at least an hour. And maybe more. But for me, it has taken about 3-5 minutes. And then about another 10-15 to the Palm Avenue blue line station. It is worth every cent to save that much time to me.

I glided through border security on my way back to San Diego today and felt the need to glow about Global Entry because it is just amazing.

[ParallaxView]

I do that any time I'm walking in, but there is one thing to be aware of: Parking at the trolley stations is, in theory, limited to 24 hours. I have never seen this enforced, but I've never tested it, either.

This all works fine for me, because if I'm going for more than 24 hours, I drive in. But I don't recommend that for most people.

Really good point. Just like how the Pronto ticket cost to take the trolley isn't enforced. I have taken the trolley to San Ysidro four times now (round trip twice) and have not been asked for a ticket. Compared to parking at the border on the USA side, the trolley is simply an unbelievable value, even at $5 round trip. But for free. Incredible. That savings equals out to some good food in Tijuana!

I don't know if I'll ever go for more than 24 hours. But if I did, I'd have to think about what to do. Thankfully I live in San Diego, so just taking the bus to a trolley station is probably the way I'd do it. Otherwise, I might just drive to the Border Parking and suffer the cost. I'd rather not have to though!

[WombatEd2]

I see the suggestion of parking at the Palm Avenue blue line station for free and take the trolley.

I do that any time I'm walking in, but there is one thing to be aware of: Parking at the trolley stations is, in theory, limited to 24 hours. I have never seen this enforced, but I've never tested it, either.

This all works fine for me, because if I'm going for more than 24 hours, I drive in. But I don't recommend that for most people.